The iconic World Darts Championship has secured its long-term future at London's Alexandra Palace, with organisers confirming a new deal that will keep the festive sporting spectacle at its "spiritual home" until at least 2031.
A Landmark Move to the Great Hall
As part of the freshly agreed five-year extension, the tournament is set for a significant upgrade in venue from the 2026-27 championship onwards. The action will relocate to Alexandra Palace's larger Great Hall, marking a pivotal moment for the event which has been staged at the iconic North London venue since 2007.
This shift to a more substantial space will dramatically increase spectator capacity. Over the tournament's famous three-week festive run, total attendance is projected to rise to approximately 180,000 fans. This represents a staggering increase of more than 70,000 attendees compared to current numbers, equating to a massive 64 per cent hike in capacity.
Final Bow for the Current Setup
The imminent changes mean that the upcoming edition of the championship, which begins on December 11 this year and concludes on January 3, 2026, will be the final one hosted in the competition's current hall. From 2026, individual sessions will be able to welcome over 5,000 darts enthusiasts, creating an even more electric atmosphere.
PDC Chief Executive, Matt Porter, expressed his delight at the extended partnership. "Alexandra Palace has become synonymous with the World Darts Championship," he stated. "Ally Pally at Christmas is the identity of the tournament - its atmosphere is unmatched anywhere in sport."
He highlighted that soaring ticket demand necessitated the move, adding: "Previous obstacles to using the Great Hall have now been resolved, and this move represents a landmark moment for the sport."
Economic and Cultural Impact
The announcement, made via social media channels including Instagram, was also welcomed by Alexandra Palace's leadership. Emma Dagnes OBE, Chief Executive of Alexandra Palace, emphasised the event's importance to the charitable trust that operates the venue.
"As a charity, events like the World Darts Championship have a profound impact," Dagnes noted. She explained that such major events generate vital revenue which supports cultural and educational programmes across the historic park and palace, benefiting millions of visitors annually.
The news ensures stability for the sport's premier event, with reigning champion Luke Littler set to begin his title defence this December in the familiar surroundings, before the championship embarks on its exciting new era in the expanded Great Hall.
