Alexandra Palace has secured the hosting rights for the PDC World Darts Championship until 2031, solidifying a new five-year deal. This agreement quashes any speculation of the tournament being relocated within London or moved out of England.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship will transition to the Great Hall, boasting a capacity of approximately 180,000 spectators, a substantial increase from the current capacity. This enhancement means that each session will now accommodate over 5,000 fans.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the home of the World Darts Championship. Matt Porter, the PDC chief executive, expressed excitement about extending the partnership until at least 2031, highlighting the iconic status of Alexandra Palace for the tournament.
The move to the Great Hall is seen as a significant step for the sport, addressing previous obstacles and paving the way for a remarkable spectator experience. Emma Dagnes OBE, the chief executive of Alexandra Palace, emphasized the positive impact of events like the World Darts Championship, generating crucial revenue to support various programs within the Park and Palace.
Ahead of this year’s event, which will witness Luke Littler defending his title, the decision to shift to the Great Hall was announced. The festive-season event currently accommodates 3,300 attendees.
As part of the agreement, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue to support Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme with a commitment of £300,000 over three years. This funding will aid in providing arts sessions for individuals with dementia, outdoor learning opportunities for schools, and creative industry training for youths.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old defending champion, had previously expressed strong opposition to relocating the Championship. Littler reiterated his stance on keeping the tournament at Alexandra Palace and declined participation if the event were to move to Saudi Arabia.
The World Series is set to venture into Saudi Arabia for the first time next year, scheduled to take place from January 19 to 20 at the Global Theatre in Riyadh. Notably, alcohol will not be sold at the 1,000-capacity venue, receiving mixed reactions from fans.
The PDC World Darts Championship is set to kick off on December 11, with exclusive live coverage available through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.