As the owner of the sport’s commercial rights, World Snooker also negotiates sponsorship for tournaments as well as television contracts. Snooker is one of the most popular sports in the United Kingdom and is played by over 4 million adults. It attracts vast television audiences; the 2005 World Championship final was watched by a peak figure of 7.8 million on the BBC. 45% of the UK population (25 million) watched 15 minutes or more of the coverage.

The sport’s popularity is also growing rapidly in many countries around the globe. In 2004, World Snooker signed a deal with Eurosport to beam snooker into 51 different territories, with a reach of 95 million homes across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Viewing figures are particularly high in countries such as Germany, Belgium and Holland.

In the Far East, the snooker boom is developing at pace. The China Open staged in Beijing in 2005 was enthusiastically received by Chinese fans. A stagering 110 million people watched live on television as Ding Junhui beat Stephen Hendry in the final to elevate himself to the status of national hero.

The WPBSA also deals specifically with the rules and regulations of snooker as well as disciplinary matters. The WPBSA board is chaired by Sir Rodney Walker and also includes Sir David Richards, Mike Dunn, Jim McMahon, Dr Hamish McInnes, Lee Doyle and Peter Ebdon. World Snooker’s headquarters is in Bristol. Click here for contact details.

It also has a commercial base in London:
14-16 Great Portland St
London
W1W 8QW

And an office in China:
World Snooker China (Beijing)
Central International Trade Center
Wing C, 29 Floor, Room 22
6A Jianguomenwai Avenue
Chaoyang District, 100022
Beijing, PR China
T  (+86) 10 6563 9977
F  (+86) 10 6563 9833