Alexandra Palace has secured a new five-year agreement to host the PDC World Darts Championship until 2031. This deal quashes previous speculations about relocating the championship within London or outside of England.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship will shift to the Great Hall, which can accommodate up to 180,000 spectators. This marks a significant increase from the previous capacity, ensuring over 5,000 fans per session.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the home of the World Darts Championship, earning a reputation as an iconic venue for the event. PDC’s CEO, Matt Porter, expressed excitement about extending the partnership, emphasizing the unique atmosphere at Alexandra Palace during the Christmas season.
The move to the Great Hall is seen as a pivotal moment for the sport, with resolved obstacles making it possible to enhance the fan experience. Emma Dagnes OBE, the chief executive of Alexandra Palace, highlighted the positive impact of events like the championship on the charity’s cultural and educational initiatives.
The current capacity for the festive event is 3,300 supporters, and the venue change comes just before this year’s tournament, where Luke Littler will defend his title against Darius Labanauskas in the opening round.
Furthermore, the agreement includes continued support for Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme by the Matchroom Charitable Foundation. This commitment aims to fund various initiatives, including arts programs for individuals with dementia, outdoor learning for schools, and training opportunities in the creative industry for young people.
Littler had previously expressed his preference for keeping the championship at Alexandra Palace, indicating his reluctance to participate if the event were to move to Saudi Arabia. The World Series is set to debut in Saudi Arabia next year as part of the Riyadh Season, with top players like Luke Humphries expected to compete.
The ruling to prohibit alcohol sales at the Saudi Arabia event has sparked mixed reactions. The World Series will kick off with the Bahrain Darts Masters before visiting several other countries, including Denmark, the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The PDC World Darts Championship will commence on December 11, and fans can catch all the live action exclusively on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.