Full Tilt Poker take over Poker Million sponsorship - 01/05/2009

Matchroom Sport are delighted to announce that Full Tilt Poker have signed a multi-year contract to sponsor the Poker Million - Europe's most prestigious poker tournament.

Full Tilt Poker's reign as sponsors marks the eighth edition of Poker Million, with the first six heats and a runners-up heat kicking off the event from July 15-17 at Sky Sports studios in London. The final six heats, second runners-up heat and two semi-finals will take place between October 6-9 with the live final date in December to be confirmed where the winner from 72 runners will scoop the $600,000 first prize in the LIVE final. There will be one online qualifier in each of the 12 heats, and the only place you can qualify is at FullTiltPoker.com.

"We are excited to take one of Europe's most prestigious tournaments forward with Full Tilt Poker," said Eddie Hearn, Director of Matchroom Sport. "There was no shortage of interest in capturing the title rights to this event and with Full Tilt's impressive list of sponsored pros, viewers can expect the strongest Poker Million line-up yet."

Full Tilt Poker pros Roland de Wolfe and Andy Black are two men excited by the new deal. "Full Tilt and Poker Million together, it's like my best mate marrying my sister," said De Wolfe. "I am excited to see my pals from the States - edog, Phil Ivey and Chris Ferguson - the top boys from the best poker-only site in Britain's finest knockout poker event, and after I've knocked them out I'll take them around the sights of London."

Black added: "Another great boost to poker in Europe, Full Tilt Poker taking over sponsorship of the Poker Million and the resulting increase in truly world class players competing in the event has set the poker world salivating over possibly the finest 72 players to be assembled in poker history."

John Duthie created history when he won the first Poker Million in 2000, becoming the first player to win a £1million first prize, with the final watched by a TV audience of 30 million worldwide. Snooker player Jimmy White was the next man to win the title and was followed by Donnacha O'Dea, Tony Jones, Raj Modha, Joe Beevers and 2008 defending champion Marty Smyth.