The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) are delighted to announce that the UK Open Darts Championship returns with enhanced prize money following the phenomenal success of the inaugural tournament that saw thousands of players whittled down to just one winner at the Reebok Stadium in June 2003.
Such was the success of the 2002/2003 tournament series that the Laurel Pub Company will once again sponsor all five English Regional Finals and all preceding in-pub qualifiers in a six figure deal that both the PDC and Laurel hope will cement a fruitful long-term relationship between the two organisations.
Over ten thousand players took part in the Laurel Pub qualifiers and Regional Finals across England this year in order to gain their place in the Top 128 money earners and with that the right to compete at the live televised Finals.
The Finals themselves were screened live by Sky Sports over three days producing a thrilling long weekend of FA Cup style darts that set a benchmark for the future of the sport in terms of excitement and innovation and that saw Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor emerge as the champion.
As last year eight Regional Finals will take place across the UK and Ireland with all English Regional Finals to be staged in Laurel Pub Company houses, who will hold in-house qualifiers ahead of each and every Regional Final.
All players who win through their pub qualifiers are guaranteed a free place in the next Regional Final (worth £50) and will be given £50 to cover the cost of travel to the venue.
£250,000 in prize money is on offer over the ten months of competition with an increased fund of £15,200 for each Regional Final.
Once again the Top 128 money earners from the eight Regionals will be invited to the Reebok Stadium 4th-6th June to compete in the UK Open Finals live on Sky Sports.
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn commented:
‘The UK Open last year was one of the PDC’s greatest achievements to date giving darts players from every corner of the country the chance to realise their dreams and play against their sporting heroes.
‘The Laurel qualifiers gave talents such as James Wade and Tom Wilson the chance to shine live on Sky Sports and Laurel’s support again this year means we can once more give the stars of the future the opportunity to cut their teeth on the biggest stage.’
Laurel Chief Executive Ian Payne added:
‘We are delighted to be involved with the UK Open again for the coming year and thrilled that so many of our pubs will be involved at every stage of the competition.
‘We saw through last year’s tournaments just how important the sport of darts is in many of our businesses and we’re looking forward to seeing more of the Laurel pub qualifiers making their mark in front of the Sky Sports cameras again in June next year.’
Laurel Pub qualifiers are free to enter and are open to all darts players – male or female – provided they are not PDPA members. Entries will be taken from September 1st for the first round of qualifiers on 2nd November from – entry forms can be picked up at Laurel pubs or downloaded from on www.planetdarts.co.uk
For Further Information Contact:
Media Enquiries-
Gayle Farmer
PDC Media and Communications Manager
T: 02476 693335
M: 07786 262 818
E: gayle.farmer@prodarts.com
Laurel Regional Finals-
PDC Head Office
T: 02476 693335
E: info@prodarts.com
Laurel Pub Company-
Public Relations Manager
The Laurel Pub Company
(M) 07753 838490
E: emma.currin@laurelpubco.com