IMG has entered into a definitive agreement with Super Slam Ltd and its affiliates to acquire the DP World Tour’s Acciona Open de España golf tournament.
Founded in 1912, and on the European Tour schedule since its inception in 1972, the Spanish Open boasts a rich in history and typically takes place in October at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. This year’s tournament was won by Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who defeated fellow countryman Adri Arnaus in a play-off.
ACCIONA, a world leader in providing regeneration solutions for a carbon-free econom, took over the title sponsorship of the tournament in 2021.
As part of the same deal, IMG will also taking over the running of the Mutua Madrid Open, an ATP tennis tournament.
As part of the acquisition, Madrid Trophy Promotion SLU (MTP), which operates the Mutua Madrid Open and Acciona Open de España, will become part of IMG. Gerard Tsobanian, MTP’s CEO and tournament director, becomes senior vice president in IMG’s global tennis events division, led by Gabin Forbes, and will continue to oversee the day to day running of the tournaments along with his team.
The acquisition of both events is expected to be concluded in the first quarter of 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.