AJ Bell has been announced as title sponsor for the 2017 AJ Bell PSA Men's and Women's Squash World Championships, which will bring almost 200 of the world's best squash players to Manchester between December 9th and 17th, 2017 to compete for the sport's most prestigious titles.

AJ Bell is one of the UK's largest providers of online investment platforms and stockbroker services. Based in Manchester, the company also owns a financial publishing business in London (AJ Bell Media) as well as a stockbroking business in Tunbridge Wells.

The agreement, which sees AJ Bell continue its support of top level squash, marks the company's second association with the World Championships - following on from a successful involvement as title sponsor in 2013 when England's Nick Matthew won the men's title in front of a capacity crowd at Manchester Central.

The 2017 tournament, which will see players from upwards of thirty nations descend on Manchester when the action begins, will be the first World Championships ever to offer equal prize money in both the men's and women's draws, with the winners set to take home a record amount of prize money totalling over $45,000 each.

Billy Mackay, AJ Bell's Marketing Director, said: "We were very pleased with the success of our partnership with England Squash, Manchester City Council and the Professional Squash Association during the 2013 World Championships, and we are delighted to enhance our relationship with the sport once again ahead of what is certain to be an even bigger and better event than before.

"To have both the men's and women's competitions taking place concurrently in Manchester is a huge draw for fans across the country, and this will be a major benefit to the local economy. We are delighted to support the first-ever World Championships to offer equality in prize money between male and female competitors".

The 2017 AJ Bell PSA Men's and Women's Squash World Championships will take place at the National Squash Centre, Manchester and Manchester Central between December 9th and 17th, 2017. Tickets for the Championships will go on general sale on May 19th via Ticketmaster.