The PDC World Darts Championship will continue to be held at Alexandra Palace until at least 2031 under a new five-year agreement, putting an end to speculation about potential relocations within London or outside of England.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the championship will be moved to the Great Hall, increasing the capacity to accommodate approximately 180,000 spectators, up from the current 110,000, allowing over 5,000 fans per session.
Since 2007, Alexandra Palace has been the home of the World Darts Championship, a fact celebrated by PDC chief executive Matt Porter, who emphasized the venue’s significance in the world of darts.
The transition to the Great Hall is expected to enhance the tournament experience, particularly during the festive season, as articulated by Emma Dagnes OBE, the CEO of Alexandra Palace, underscoring the event’s impact on revenue generation and community programs.
The current capacity for the event during the festive season is 3,300, but with the move to the Great Hall, more fans will have the opportunity to attend the championship, which begins with defending champion Luke Littler facing Darius Labanauskas in the first round.
Furthermore, as part of the agreement, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue to support Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning Programme with a commitment of £300,000 over three years to fund various initiatives benefiting different groups within the community.
In previous statements, Littler expressed his opposition to relocating the championship to the Middle East, affirming his commitment to keeping the tournament at Alexandra Palace, a sentiment echoed by many fans.
Looking ahead, the World Series will venture to Saudi Arabia for the first time in January, showcasing top players like Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries in a series of global events with varying regulations and responses.
Notably, the PDC World Darts Championship is set to kick off on December 11, with exclusive live coverage available to fans through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.