Alexandra Palace — that vast, Victorian citadel perched above North London like a crown of brick and history — has tightened its grip on the darting universe once more. The Professional Darts Corporation and the Palace itself have inked a pact that stretches into the next decade, ensuring that the roaring, riotous, earth-shaking Paddy Power World Darts Championship will remain on its sacred hill until at least 2031.
From the 2026/27 edition onwards, the most electrifying tournament in world sport will expand beyond its traditional chamber and ascend into the legendary Great Hall — a chamber so cavernous it could host an opera, a coronation, or the second coming itself. With this monumental shift comes a tidal wave of capacity: almost 180,000 spectators across the tournament and more than 5,000 disciples of tungsten filling each session.
Why? Because the world is no longer watching darts. It is chasing it. Demand for World Championship tickets now borders on mythic. The queues, the digital scrambles, the global stampedes for seats — all proof that the sport’s Christmas pilgrimage has become one of the hottest tickets on Earth.
This year’s extravaganza — running from 11th December to 3rd January — sees reigning global phenomenon Luke Littler return to defend the crown he seized with all the subtlety of a Hollywood origin story.
Alexandra Palace first embraced the World Championship in 2007, and since then the building has become more than a venue. It is the annual cathedral of roar, revelry and red-hot tungsten — the very heartbeat of darts’ winter identity. Christmas lights? Turkey? Presents? Yes, fine. But none mean a thing until Ally Pally is shaking under 5,000 fans belting out chaos in four-part harmony.
And with the move to the Great Hall, the PDC believes the tournament is ready to enter its imperial era.
Matt Porter, PDC Chief Executive, said:
“Alexandra Palace has become synonymous with the World Darts Championship, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership through to at least 2031. Ally Pally at Christmas is the identity of the tournament — its atmosphere is unmatched anywhere in sport.
“Demand for tickets has never been higher, and moving into the Great Hall from 2026/27 will allow more fans than ever to enjoy this incredible event. Previous obstacles to using the Great Hall have now been resolved, and this move represents a landmark moment for the sport.”
From across the Palace hierarchy, the sentiment erupts with equal pride. Lucy Fenner, Alexandra Palace Commercial Director, commented:
“We’re honoured to have hosted the Worlds since 2007 and are delighted to extend our partnership with the PDC. Christmas simply isn’t complete without the annual trip to the darts at Ally Pally. Moving into the Great Hall from 2026 will take the tournament to a new level.”
And while darts brings the noise, the Palace brings the purpose. Emma Dagnes OBE, Alexandra Palace Chief Executive, added:
“As a charity, events like the World Darts Championship have a profound impact. Not only do they create unforgettable experiences, but they generate vital revenue that supports our work across the Park and Palace, delivering cultural and learning programmes that benefit millions each year.”
This renewed alliance goes far beyond tungsten and ticket sales. It extends into education, legacy, and community uplift. Through this deal, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will funnel £300,000 over three years into the Palace’s Creative Learning programme — fuelling dementia-friendly art sessions, outdoor exploration for schoolchildren, and pathways into creative industries for the next generation.
So the World Championship does not merely stay at Ally Pally. It grows. It deepens its roots. It stretches its influence from the oche to the community.
And from 2026 onwards, when the lights fall, the crowd roars, and five thousand fans rise as one inside the Great Hall, one truth will ring louder than the walk-on music. Darts has found its forever home — until the next decade at least — and its kingdom just got bigger.
—–ENDS—–
Images: Lloyd Winters – Alexandra Palace
