Alexandra Palace has secured its position as the host venue for the PDC World Darts Championship until at least 2031 through a new five-year agreement. The announcement puts an end to speculation about the tournament potentially moving locations within London or outside of England.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship will be held in the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace, with a capacity of approximately 180,000 spectators. This marks a significant increase from the current capacity, allowing over 5,000 fans to attend each session.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the home of the World Darts Championship, a fact that PDC chief executive Matt Porter emphasized. He expressed excitement about extending the partnership with Alexandra Palace, highlighting the unique atmosphere of the event during the Christmas season.
The move to the Great Hall is seen as a pivotal moment for the sport, with previous logistical challenges now resolved. Emma Dagnes OBE, the chief executive of Alexandra Palace, stressed the positive impact of events like the World Darts Championship, not just in providing memorable experiences but also in generating essential revenue for the charity’s cultural and educational programs.
Prior to this development, the festive event could accommodate 3,300 supporters. The decision to expand the venue comes just before this year’s championship, where Luke Littler is set to defend his title against Darius Labanauskas in the opening round.
As part of the agreement, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue supporting Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme. Over three years, £300,000 will be allocated to fund arts initiatives for individuals with dementia, outdoor learning for schools, and creative industry training for young people.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old defending champion, had previously voiced his stance against relocating the championship. He insisted on keeping the event at Alexandra Palace and expressed reluctance to participate if it were to move to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere in the Middle East.
In a new development, the World Series will venture to Saudi Arabia for the first time in January 2023, as part of the annual Riyadh Season. The tournament, set to take place at the Global Theatre in Riyadh, is expected to feature top-ranked players like Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries.
A notable aspect of the upcoming tournament in Saudi Arabia is the ruling that alcohol will not be sold at the venue, which has sparked mixed reactions. The World Series will kick off with the Bahrain Darts Masters before proceeding to various countries, including Denmark, the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The PDC World Darts Championship is scheduled to commence on December 11, with fans able to watch every match live exclusively through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.