Alexandra Palace secures the hosting rights for the PDC World Darts Championship until 2031 under a newly signed five-year deal. There were speculations about a possible relocation of the tournament within London or even outside of England, which have been put to rest by this agreement.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship will be held in the Great Hall, increasing the capacity to accommodate approximately 180,000 spectators, a significant boost from the current capacity of 110,000. This expansion will allow each session to welcome over 5,000 fans.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the iconic venue for the World Darts Championship. Matt Porter, the CEO of PDC, expressed excitement about extending the partnership until 2031, emphasizing the unique atmosphere of Ally Pally during Christmas as an integral part of the tournament’s identity.
The move to the Great Hall, scheduled for 2026/27, will enhance the fan experience, as previous obstacles hindering its use have been resolved. Emma Dagnes OBE, the CEO of Alexandra Palace, highlighted the positive impact of events like the championship in supporting the organization’s cultural and educational initiatives.
The upcoming event at Alexandra Palace, featuring defending champion Luke Littler facing Darius Labanauskas in the first round, precedes the significant venue shift. Additionally, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue backing Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme with a commitment of £300,000 over three years.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old champion, had previously expressed his preference for keeping the championship at Ally Pally, declining the idea of relocating to Saudi Arabia. However, the World Series will venture to Saudi Arabia in January next year, marking a historic moment for the tournament.
Fans eager to witness the action can catch every match live exclusively through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle as the PDC World Darts Championship kicks off on December 11.