The World Darts Championship is in full swing at London's iconic Alexandra Palace, but fans tuning in for their afternoon fix of arrows will find the schedule a little lighter than usual this Wednesday. For one day only, the tournament is operating with just a single evening session, a deliberate move by organisers to keep the massive event on track.
Why is there only one session today?
The primary reason for the missing afternoon session on Wednesday, December 27, is a specific scheduling necessity within the tournament's first week. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) always plans for one single-session day during the initial fortnight of play. This allows the complex fixture list to align perfectly with the number of matches that need to be played.
This logistical step is more crucial than ever this year, given the championship's expanded field of 128 competitors. This record-breaking number of players makes the 2024 tournament the most jam-packed in its history, requiring meticulous calendar management.
When will normal service resume?
Today's single session is a notable exception. This is the only match day before next month's semi-finals to feature just one session. For the remainder of the tournament, each day will include both an afternoon and an evening session right through the first four rounds and the quarter-finals. The only other exceptions to this double-session format will be the semi-finals and the final itself.
The traditional two-sessions-per-day schedule will resume the very next day, on Thursday, December 28. This format will then continue uninterrupted until the customary Christmas Eve break. The action picks up again on Thursday, December 27, after the festive pause.
Who is playing in tonight's evening session?
The evening session at Ally Pally gets underway at 7pm GMT. The line-up promises thrilling action, featuring a mix of emerging talent and established legends. The order of play is as follows:
- Matt Campbell vs Adam Sevada
- Former world champion Raymond van Barneveld vs Stefan Bellmont
- James Wade vs Ryusei Azemoto
- Martin Schindler vs Stephen Burton
With the schedule now back on its regular two-session rhythm from tomorrow, darts enthusiasts can look forward to a relentless barrage of world-class action as the competition heats up on the road to the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.
