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For Immediate Release: Monday, 9th February 2004
The elite in world darts return to the Reebok Stadium this summer for the FA Cup of Darts –
the Budweiser UK Open Darts Championship Finals, 4-6 June 2004.
128 of the top players including reigning UK Open champ Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, Kevin ‘The
Artist’ Painter, Canada’s John Part, Wayne ‘Hawaii 501’ Mardle and Bolton’s own local hero Paul Williams will lead the way over three days of intense darting
action – live on Sky Sports.
Last year’s inaugural event was a sell out and tickets for this year’s tournament go on sale
on Monday, 9th February with record crowds expected.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Reebok Stadium Box Office or alternatively using
the Reebok Stadium Ticket Hotline 0871 871 2932.
Ticket Details:
Friday 4th June
7pm-11pm - £6
Saturday 5th June
1pm-5pm - £7
7pm-11pm - £8
Sunday 6th June
1pm-5pm - £10
7pm - 11pm - £12
Season Ticket (with reserved seat) £40.
Doors open 1 hour before session start time.
Children under 14 years 25% discount
Infants up to 2 years FOC.
All telephone bookings incur a £1 transaction fee.
With new headline sponsors Budweiser on board the event will be bigger and better than ever
and last’s year’s wild card competitor Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce is looking forward to the 2004 event:
“It’s great for Bolton that this tournament is back at the Reebok. Everyone in the town got
behind the event last year and the crowds were amazing – the atmosphere at the Final was just like a matchday!
“I played in the UK Open last year and it was great fun. This is a wonderful chance for
anyone to try their hand at darts and have a go at the big boys – just like the FA Cup. We’re all looking forward to it.”
PDC Chief Executive Tim Darby is delighted the tournament is making a return to the Reebok:
“The inaugural event last year was an enormous success with players and fans alike enjoying
the hospitality and facilities on offer at the Reebok and De Vere Whites Hotel.
“The Budweiser UK Open is the most innovative tournament in the PDC calendar, bringing
aspiring payers together with the professional ranks in nail biting FA Cup style and we’re delighted that the event has found a home in Bolton.”
EVENT NOTES
Now in its second year the innovative Budweiser UK Open Darts Championship is an
extraordinary chance for all players, whatever their aspirations to challenge for the top.
The competition began in October 2003 with the Budweiser UK Open Irish Regional Final and
the series will culminate in the Budweiser UK Open Finals which take place at the Reebok Stadium, 4-6 June and will be shown live on Sky Sports in a bumper
festival of darts.
The series consists of eight Regional Finals in 2003/2004, with each event carrying PDC
rankings points and prize money (£15,200) in their own right, as well as providing passage for the best 128 players overall to progress to the TV Finals.
In England each Budweiser Regional Final is preceded by free to enter Laurel Pub qualifiers
with thousands of darts players across the country handed the chance to take on the Pros. Victory for players in the Laurel qualifiers ensures automatic
qualification to the next Budweiser Regional Final.
Once all eight Regional Finals have been completed the top 128 money earners overall will be
invited to compete at the Finals.
This fantastic FA Cup style event will see all 128 players fighting it out live on Sky
Sports for the right to become the undisputed Budweiser UK Open Champion.
Eight stages covered by twenty-one cameras will bring all the action to life – with Sky
Sports Eric Bristow, Helen Chamberlain and Dave Clark keeping fans up-to-speed with all the results and any shocks.
As last year the tournament is bound to produce some giant-killing acts and plenty of
surprises as the competitors are whittled down to just one supreme champion!
Budweiser UK Open Darts Championship Final Prize Fund Breakdown
Winner: £30,000
R-Up: £15,000
3-4: £7,500
5-8: £4,000
9-16: £2,000
17-32: £1,000
33-64: £500
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