Alexandra Palace has secured a deal to host the PDC World Darts Championship until 2031, putting an end to speculations about a potential relocation. The new agreement includes moving the playing arena to the Great Hall starting from the 2026/27 season, increasing capacity to accommodate over 5,000 supporters per session.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the home of the World Darts Championship, a partnership that has become synonymous with the event according to PDC chief executive Matt Porter. The festive atmosphere at Alexandra Palace during Christmas is a unique feature of the tournament, with increasing ticket demand prompting the move to the larger Great Hall.
Emma Dagnes OBE, the chief executive of Alexandra Palace, emphasized the significant impact of events like the World Darts Championship, highlighting the revenue generated to support cultural and learning programs. The ongoing partnership also entails support for the Creative Learning Programme through funding from the Matchroom Charitable Foundation.
The current venue for the championship can hold 3,300 fans during the festive season, but the move to the Great Hall will allow for a larger audience. The upcoming event will feature defending champion Luke Littler, who recently expressed his commitment to keeping the championship at Ally Pally and not relocating it to Saudi Arabia.
In a new development, the World Series will venture to Saudi Arabia for the first time in January next year as part of the Riyadh Season, featuring top players like Luke Humphries. The decision to not sell alcohol at the venue during the competition has received mixed reactions, with the Series scheduled to travel to various countries after its Bahrain kickoff.
The PDC World Darts Championship is set to kick off on December 11, with live coverage available exclusively through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.