Boyle Sports Extends Midlands Influence in World Grand Prix Darts
by Glenn Baird - September 3, 2020

The World Darts Grand Prix was always going to be sponsored by Boyle Sports but it wasn’t always going to take place in Birmingham.
The original competition was meant to take place in Dublin, in the Citywest Convention Centre. However, the ongoing effects of the current global pandemic meant that it was not logistically possible to go ahead with the original plan.
This was meant to be the 20th consecutive year that the event took place in Dublin, but the quick trip across the Irish Sea to the Ricoh Arena will have darts players more than settled at home, as it has already been the venue for a number of Premier League events as well as a number of PDC ProTour weekends.
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen is the favourite to lift the title and few would bet against him given his 5 consecutive wins at the event.
Ricoh Arena Commercial Venue Director Paul Michael said: “We are really excited and honoured to be able to host the 2020 BoyleSports World Grand Prix behind closed doors.
“This event will strengthen our relationship with the PDC, and demonstrate the diversity of the venue and its ambition to encourage more elite sports to Coventry.”
“The BoyleSports World Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the PDC calendar and whilst we’re disappointed we will not be at the Citywest Convention Centre in 2020, we can now look forward to an exciting and entertaining event at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry,” said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter.
Whilst the change of venue is a forced one there can be little doubt that shift to the Ricoh Area will benefit Boyle Sports short and long term strategies to establish themselves in the Midlands and then grow from there.
The betting company are already the primary shirt sponsor for Coventry FC, and as such will use the disappointment of the change in venue to their advantage by furthering their influence within the city.
Boylesports has also been announced as the shirt sponsor for Birmingham City FC, a club that is less than a 20 mile drive from Coventry and one that will compete in the same league as them, establishing a Boyle Sports related Midlands derby when the 2 meet for their head to heads later on in the year.
Add to this a growing number of Boyle Sports betting shops within the area and you have yet another piece of the puzzle that Boyle Sports are suing to develop their influence within the area.
Matt Porter continued: “We saw an outstanding standard of play at the recent World Matchplay and are sure that will continue in the World Grand Prix, which remains a challenging and unique event due to the double-start format.
“The Citywest Convention Centre remains part of our plans for 2021 and beyond and we thank them for their support in exploring all options for the event to have taken place in Dublin this year.”
The Boyle Sports Grand Prix Darts will take place at the Ricoh Arena from October 6-12 with coverage available on Sky Sports.
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