MUMBAI: World Series Hockey co-promoter Nimbus Sport has roped in Bridgestone as the title sponsor of the franchise-based hockey league for the first season of the tournament.

This is the second major sponsorship of Bridgestone in sports in India; the company is the associate sponsor of IPL team Mumbai Indians till 2014. Globally, the tyre brand is also associated with National Football League, National Hockey League and the World Golf Championship.

The Bridgestone World Series Hockey will be held from 29 February to 2 April and will involve 200 leading players -- Indian and international -- who will showcase their talent in 59 matches.

The eight WSH teams are Bhopal Badshahs, Chandigarh Comets, Chennai Cheetahs, Delhi Wizards, Karnataka Lions, Mumbai Marines, Pune Strykers and Sher-e-Punjab.

The league carries a total prize purse of Rs 100 million.

The eight venues for the inaugural edition of the league are Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Pune. Chandigarh Comets will face-off against Bhopal Badshahs in the first tie of the tournament on their home ground.

The organisers had earlier roped in Suniel Shetty as the brand ambassador for the tournament.