Alexandra Palace has secured a deal to remain the host venue for the PDC World Darts Championship until 2031. The agreement includes relocating the playing arena to the Great Hall starting from the 2026/27 season, allowing for a capacity increase to around 180,000 spectators, up from the previous 110,000.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the longstanding host of the World Darts Championship, a tradition set to continue according to PDC chief executive Matt Porter. He emphasized the unique atmosphere of Ally Pally during Christmas, stating that the demand for tickets is higher than ever.
Emma Dagnes OBE, the chief executive of Alexandra Palace, highlighted the significant impact of events like the World Darts Championship on supporting the venue’s cultural and educational programs. The move to the Great Hall will provide a larger space for fans to enjoy the tournament.
As part of the agreement, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue to support Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme, investing £300,000 over three years to fund various initiatives, including arts sessions for individuals with dementia and educational programs for schools.
The upcoming World Series event in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for January 19 to 20, will mark the first time the competition ventures to the Middle East. However, defending champion Luke Littler expressed his commitment to keeping the Championship at Ally Pally, citing his reluctance to participate if the tournament moved to Saudi Arabia.
The PDC World Darts Championship is set to kick off on December 11, offering fans the opportunity to watch every match live exclusively on Sky with the Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.