Darts Devotees Relax: Upcoming World Championship Stays in Ally Pally - For Now!
Upcoming Darts Tournament Returns to the Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally)
Want to know the latest on the Darts World Championship? Buckle up! The tournament is here to stay at the Alexandra Palace – aka Ally Pally – for the time being. No modifications are in the pipeline for the venue itself. But the pros will face a challenge with the introduction of the XXL format.
Coming up in 2026, the Darts World Championship will continue its tradition at the noble Alexandra Palace in London, in the glorious XXL format! As with previous years, expect the tournament to kick off in December and wrap up in January, according to the PDC's announcement at the World Cup in Frankfurt. Technical specifics about the event, which will now host a field of 128 players, are still under wraps.
Back in April, PDC CEO Matthew Porter hinted at the location but refrained from spilling the beans, stating, "I've got a hint about where the World Championship will be held. We'll reveal it soon," yet an official disclosure never materialized.
Contrasting the cozy West Hall with its 3,500 seats, the magnificent Great Hall at Alexandra Palace in North London far outshines in size. Whispers had also circulated about a possible relocation, say even to Saudi Arabia, but verifiable reports are scarce.
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The PDC has not only increased the player count from 96 to 128 for the tournament, but has also doubled the prize money for the winner. Instead of the previous 500,000 pounds, the victor of the world's most prestigious darts tournament will now pocket a cool million pounds (approximately 1.2 million euros)! "The mammoth prize money signifies darts' escalating status as one of the hottest and most coveted sports worldwide," proclaimed Porter.
With this upgrade, even the top players, including the reigning champion, Luke Littler, will have to duke it out in the preliminary round. The Darts World Championship will now virtually resemble a tennis Grand Slam competition, proceeding exclusively in a knockout format.
Compared to the previous tournament setup, there will be 32 extra matches and eight additional sessions, yielding greater ticket sales at Ally Pally. There's even talk of the championship commencing four days earlier, starting on December 11 instead of the current December 15.
Source: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
- Darts
- London
You know the history, now get ready for some exciting twists coming up in the Darts World Championship! Stay tuned for more updates! 🎯🎉
Sports enthusiasts in London will be thrilled to hear that the Darts World Championship, which will see a player field expansion from 96 to 128 and a significant increase in prize money, will continue to take place at the Alexandra Palace in London in 2026. This exciting sports event promises to draw a larger crowd, with an expected commencement on December 11, four days earlier than the previous start date.
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