World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation launches to expand the sport of 9-ball pool globally
Matchroom Sport has launched its latest exciting expansion with the new formation of the World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation.
The WPNPC is a limited company – headed up by Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn – to expand and commercialise opportunities for pool players worldwide and to participate on a global Professional Tour.
In what is a landmark moment for the sport, the WPNPC is:
- Wholly owned subsidiary of Matchroom Multi Sport
- Follows in footsteps of Professional Darts Corporation and World Snooker Tour
- Board to consist of Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn, WST Chairman Steve Dawson, PDC CEO Matthew Porter, and Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer.
The World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation, owned and organised by Matchroom Sport, is firmly built on the company’s core values of a Tour for anyone and everyone; an objective for amateur pool players to turn their dreams into reality, by turning professional under the WPNPC.
The launch of the commercial independent organisation will deliver structure to 9-ball pool professionally and globally. Setting the stage for a fully professional tour, Matchroom shall broaden its involvement in the future growth of the sport, with the WPNPC laying the foundation with independent drug testing, independent integrity unit, commercial expansion, consistency of rules as well as worldwide television exposure and presence to inspire the next generation of professional players.
The World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation officially recognises the World Nineball Rankings, all World Nineball Tour events and the official World Nineball Event Rules, providing clarity for players and fans worldwide. The World Nineball Tour 2023 schedule currently hosts 50 events, including five annual Junior Open events with the World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation working with 20 different promoters and organisers throughout the world.
Following in the footsteps of the Professional Darts Corporation, World Snooker Tour and Matchroom Boxing, the World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation will be the turning point for professional pool globally, led by a passionate team of Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn, WST Chairman Steve Dawson, PDC CEO Matthew Porter and Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer.
Matchroom Sport chairman, Eddie Hearn said: “The formation of the World Professional Nineball Pool Corporation heralds a progressive new era for the sport. Matchroom is proud to have pioneered an incredible mainstream shift in Boxing, Snooker and Darts – now it is time for our dynamic team to level up the world of Nineball. The WPNPC will deliver first-class entertainment for fans and exciting opportunities for the game’s elite players with more events, more locations and greater prize money than ever before. Innovation is at the heart of everything we do here at Matchroom and this monumental move will lay the foundations for a fantastic future ahead.”
Matchroom Group Director, Emily Frazer, said: “This is a landmark day for 9-ball Pool. With 37 nationalities represented within our top 128-ranked players, we will deliver the game to the masses in new territories through the formation of the WPNPC. We will continue to work closely with those within the sport who choose to support our cause as we aim to enhance Nineball to greater heights – including potential tour cards. Our sole aim is to create the biggest and best opportunities for the players and we believe this will not only inspire the next generation to participate but it will also ignite the flame for fierce competition amongst the game’s leading stars and new contenders – providing unmissable entertainment on a huge global platform. With the European Open Pool Championship to look forward to next week, this really is the bright, new beginning that Nineball needs.”
The World Pool Championship will remain sanctioned by the World Pool Association. Matchroom looks forward to continuing its support for the WPA in order to grow the sport to its full potential.
