Title sponsor signs on for snooker’s German Masters

World Snooker, the sport’s international governing body, has confirmed Asian online gaming and entertainment platform 918.com as the title sponsor of next year’s German Masters event.

The company replaces Kreativ Dental Clinic, which sponsored the 2015 edition of the tournament. Next year's event will take on the official title of the 918.com German Masters.

“Our sport is tremendously popular in the Asian markets and they (918.com) will get some fantastic exposure for their brand,” World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said.

Next year’s tournament will take place at Berlin’s 2,500-capacity Tempodrom venue from February 3-7 and will be the first world-ranking event of 2016. Qualifying rounds for the event will take place in Wigan, England from tomorrow (Thursday) until Saturday, December 20.

Mark Selby (pictured) is the current German Masters champion. The World no.1 defeated fellow Englishman Shaun Murphy in the final back in February.