18th September - MATCHROOM SPORT can today announced that the 2014 BETWAY WORLD CUP OF POOL will be delivered in its entirety in the US on ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network. Running from Tuesday to Sunday 23rd to 28th September, the World Cup of Pool is played out in the vibrant maritime city of Portsmouth on England’s south coast.
Now in its ninth year, the World Cup of Pool features 32 two-player teams from around the world battling it out for a $250,000 prize fund. The defending champions are the Philippines who will be among the favourites to claim a record-breaking fourth World Cup.
The competition is packed with some of the best players in the world, and there will be plenty of teams in with a great chance to lift the coveted title, including two sides from the host nation.
Mosconi Cup stars such as Darren Appleton and Karl Boyes will be representing England, while pool legend Earl Strickland – subject of a recent Sky Sports documentary – will be making a fiery return to the UK as he represents the USA in the company of three-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening.
Commencing on Tuesday 23rd and culminating in the final on the evening of Sunday 28th, the event will be played to a single elimination format over six days with two sessions a day.
Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn said, “We’re delighted that sports fans across the United States will have the opportunity of seeing one of the biggest pool tournaments in the world.
“This year’s World Cup will be a battle royal with some wonderful players competing for national pride and for pool fans across the world it will be unmissable! I’ve a feeling that come the end of the week, the American team will give their fans something to cheer about,” he added.
Teams from as far afield as Australia, Qatar, Russia, China, Indonesia, Canada and Chile, as well as from across Europe, will be making the trip to Portsmouth in quest of glory.
ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
The network is currently available to 95 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.
