Alexandra Palace has secured the rights to host the PDC World Darts Championship until 2031 under a new five-year deal, putting an end to speculations about the tournament’s potential relocation within London or outside of England.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship will be held in the Great Hall, which can accommodate approximately 180,000 spectators, a significant increase from the current capacity. This expansion will allow each session to host over 5,000 fans.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the iconic venue for the World Darts Championship, a fact highlighted by PDC chief executive Matt Porter. He expressed excitement about extending the partnership, emphasizing the unique festive atmosphere at Ally Pally that draws record ticket demand.
With the venue change set for 2026/27, Alexandra Palace CEO Emma Dagnes OBE highlighted the event’s impact as a charity, generating essential revenue to support cultural and educational programs benefiting millions annually.
The decision to move to the Great Hall comes just before this year’s event, featuring defending champion Luke Littler facing off against Darius Labanauskas in the opening round. Additionally, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue supporting Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme with a commitment of £300,000 over three years.
Luke Littler had previously expressed opposition to relocating the championship, insisting on keeping it at Ally Pally. The World Series is set to debut in Saudi Arabia in January 2023, with the Riyadh event featuring top players like Luke Humphries.
The PDC World Darts Championship kicks off on December 11, with live coverage available exclusively on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.