Alexandra Palace has secured the hosting rights for the PDC World Darts Championship until 2031 under a new five-year deal. This agreement puts an end to speculations about the championship moving to another location in London or outside of England.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship will be held in the Great Hall, allowing for a capacity of approximately 180,000 spectators, a significant increase from the previous capacity of 110,000 in the 2025/26 season. This means each session will accommodate over 5,000 fans.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the host venue for the World Darts Championship. Matt Porter, the Chief Executive of the PDC, expressed excitement about extending the partnership with Alexandra Palace, emphasizing the venue’s association with the championship.
Describing Alexandra Palace as the heart of the tournament, Porter highlighted the unmatched atmosphere during the Christmas season. The move to the Great Hall from 2026/27 will allow more fans to experience the event, with previous obstacles to using the space now resolved.
Emma Dagnes OBE, the Chief Executive of Alexandra Palace, emphasized the positive impact of events like the World Darts Championship, noting the revenue generated to support various programs across the park and palace, benefiting millions annually.
The current capacity for the festive event is 3,300 supporters, but the move to the Great Hall will significantly increase this capacity. The agreement also includes support for Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme by the Matchroom Charitable Foundation, with a commitment of £300,000 over three years for various educational and arts initiatives.
Recently, defending champion Luke Littler expressed his commitment to keeping the championship at Alexandra Palace, stating he would not participate if the event moved to Saudi Arabia. The World Series is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia for the first time next year, expected to feature top players like Luke Humphries.
The World Series will kick off with the Bahrain Darts Masters before moving to various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Denmark, the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands. The PDC World Darts Championship will commence on December 11, offering exclusive live coverage through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.