Liverpool To Host 2008 Dunlop British Open

England Squash and sports management company internationalSPORTgroup have announced that the 2008 Dunlop British Open will be staged in Liverpool, from 6-12 May, as part of the city's European Capital of Culture 2008 portfolio of events.

First staged in 1922, the British Open is the world's most important, prestigious and longest established squash championships - considered the sport's blue riband event and the 'Wimbledon of Squash'.

The Dunlop British Open - Liverpool 2008, supported by the Liverpool Culture Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), will feature the world's leading male and female professional players and will be run alongside the sport's most successful annual Masters Championships, comprising 13 age-group events from O35 to O70.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "We're delighted to be staging the Dunlop British Open in our Capital of Culture year - it's a major boost to our 2008 celebrations. Welcoming the world's finest squash players to Liverpool for such a prestigious tournament will attract thousands of sports fans to the city, and further cement our position as a world class sporting venue."

Over the last two years, events supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency have resulted in 1.2 million visitors and contributed £40 million to the regional economy, and the NWDA's support of the Dunlop British Open - Liverpool 2008, in partnership with Liverpool Culture Company, will see the world's premier squash championships staged in Liverpool for the first time in the event's illustrious eighty-five year history.

Peter Mearns, NWDA Director of Marketing & Communications, said: "Securing the Dunlop British Open is a major coup for Liverpool, which is building an impressive reputation for hosting major sporting events. We are especially pleased to be welcoming visitors to the region in 2008, when we will also be able to showcase the fantastic cultural assets of this world class city."

England Squash Chief Executive Nick Rider added: "This announcement emphasises our desire to see the continual development of our flagship event. 2008 is a big year for Liverpool - I'm sure that the addition of the Dunlop British Open to the calendar in this great city will contribute greatly to the programme of sporting and cultural events - world class squash in a world class city will be fantastic to watch."

Paul Walters, of internationalSPORTgroup, concluded: "This latest announcement demonstrates the high regard in which the British Open is held, and being able to confirm the championships so far in advance, demonstrates the progress that has been made in delivering a solid framework for the future of the championships. We look forward to announcing details of an exciting new venue in the near future which will further reinforce the standing of the championships as well as enhancing Liverpool's profile as a venue for international sport."