A new five-year agreement has been reached, securing Alexandra Palace as the host venue for the PDC World Darts Championship until at least 2031. Speculation about relocating the championship within London or outside of England has been dispelled by this announcement.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship playing arena will be relocated to the Great Hall, increasing the capacity to approximately 180,000 spectators, a significant rise from the 2025/26 season’s capacity, allowing each session to accommodate over 5,000 fans.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the home of the World Darts Championship. PDC chief executive Matt Porter expressed excitement about extending the partnership with Alexandra Palace, emphasizing the venue’s strong association with the championship until 2031.
“Ally Pally at Christmas defines the tournament – its unique atmosphere is unparalleled in sports. The high demand for tickets necessitated the move to the Great Hall from 2026/27 to accommodate more fans than ever before,” Porter commented.
The decision to utilize the Great Hall was facilitated by resolving previous challenges, marking a significant milestone for the sport’s future.
Emma Dagnes OBE, the chief executive of Alexandra Palace, highlighted the profound impact events like the World Darts Championship have on the charity. Beyond providing unforgettable experiences, these events generate crucial revenue supporting various cultural and educational programs benefiting millions annually across the Park and Palace.
The current capacity for the festive event is 3,300 supporters, right before this year’s event where Luke Littler will defend his title against Darius Labanauskas in the first round.
Under the agreement, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue supporting Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme with a committed £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 young people.
Littler, an 18-year-old darts player, has been vocal about keeping the Championship at Ally Pally. In a recent statement, Littler expressed his reluctance to attend the Worlds in Saudi Arabia if the tournament were to expand to the Middle East.
The World Series will venture to Saudi Arabia for the first time, scheduled from January 19 to 20 at the Global Theatre in Riyadh. The event, part of the annual Riyadh Season, is anticipated to feature top players like Littler and world number one Luke Humphries.
The decision to not sell alcohol at the 1,000-capacity venue in Saudi Arabia received a mixed response. The Series will kick off with the Bahrain Darts Masters from January 15-19 before proceeding to other locations like Denmark, the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The PDC World Darts Championship will commence on December 11, with fans able to watch every match exclusively live with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.
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