THE prize fund for the 2006 Stan James World Matchplay has been increased by a massive 25 per cent to £150,000.
The move comes following the most successful World Matchplay tournament in 2005, when record crowds packed the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and saw Colin Lloyd win the title.
The 2006 prize fund has been increased from £120,000 to £150,000, representing an improvement of a quarter from this year.
The winner of next year's tournament will now receive a £30,000 cheque, with the runner-up taking home £15,000 and the semi-finalists earning £10,000.
"We would like to thank event sponsors Stan James, along with our broadcast partners Sky Sports, for their continued backing of the World Matchplay, which has made this significant increase possible," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.
"We have made no secret of our desire to reward the top professional players with prize money befitting that status, and this is another example of that commitment following the increase of the World Championship prize fund to £500,000.
"The Stan James World Matchplay is recognised as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the calendar, and it was widely felt that this year's event was the best ever."
In addition to the prize fund at the Stan James World Matchplay itself, prize money of £4,000 will be paid out at the PDPA Qualifiers in June.
The 2006 Stan James World Matchplay will take place from 23-29 July at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Tickets will go on sale in the New Year and details will be announced on www.planetdarts.tv.
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
£30,000 |
Winner |
£25,000 |
|
£15,000 |
Runner-Up |
£12,500 |
|
£10,000 |
3rd-4th |
£7,250 |
|
£6,250 |
5th-8th |
£5,000 |
|
£3,500 |
9th-16th |
£2,500 |
|
£2,000 |
17th-32nd |
£1,750 |
|
£4,000 |
Qualifiers |
- |
|
£154,000 |
Total |
£120,000 |