World Snooker has formed the Ladbrokes Series following the bookmaker’s decision to renew its sponsorship of the World Grand Prix and Players Championship, while adding the new Tour Championship to its portfolio.
The three events will make up the Ladbrokes Series of world ranking events in 2019.
The Ladbrokes World Grand Prix will run from February 4-10 in Cheltenham, followed by the Ladbrokes Players Championship from March 4-10 in Preston and the new Ladbrokes Tour Championship in Llandudno from March 19-24.
The top 32 on the one-year ranking list will qualify for the first tournament at The Centaur venue in Cheltenham. The top 16 will then go on to the Guild Hall in Preston, and only the top eight will make it to the final event at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.
There will be a top prize of £100,000 (€113,000/$133,000) available at the World Grand Prix, with the winner to receive £125,000 at the Players Championship, and £150,000 at the Tour Championship. Any player winning all three tournaments will receive an extra bonus of £125,000, rounding up his total prize money to £500,000.
Ladbrokes has sponsored the World Grand Prix and Players Championship since 2016.
World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said: “The development of the Ladbrokes Series has been one of the most exciting innovations on our global tour in recent years. It means that from the very first ball of the season, players must earn enough money to qualify for these prestigious and lucrative events in the second half of the campaign.
“Adding the Tour Championship to the series makes it so competitive as we will go from 32 to 16 to eight players, with only the very best surviving until the end. And with a possible £500,000 to be won, it is a huge incentive for all of the top stars.”