Darts Enthusiasts Sigh with Relief: Next World Championship Stays at Ally Pally, Boosting Prize Money and Participants
Upcoming World Darts Championship Returns to Alexandra Palace
Hop on social media, flick through WhatsApp, shoot an email, or just plain get a copy -- the gist is the same: The Darts World Championship 2026 will be back at Alexandra Palace, London, in the monster XXL format! Just like in previous years, the tournament kicks off in December and runs through to January, as announced by the PDC at the World Cup in Frankfurt. But don't worry, we're still waiting for the finer details.
Remember that time in April when PDC CEO Matthew Porter hinted about the location? "I know where the World Championship will be played. We will announce it soon," Porter had said in an interview. Well, here it is! Ally Pally, baby! But the West Hall, with its cozy 3,500 seats, isn't where the action will be happening. No sir, the Great Hall, located in Alexandra Palace, North London, is where it's at!
Rumors stirred about a possible move from the UK, perhaps to Saudi Arabia, but that's just hearsay.
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In a whopping change, the PDC has not only upped the number of participants from 96 to 128 but has also doubled the prize money for the winner. Instead of the previous £500,000, the winner of the world's most prestigious darts tournament will now walk away with a cool £1,000,000 (!) (approximately €1.2 million). "The prize money underscores darts' status as one of the most electrifying and coveted sports in the world," shared Porter.
With the boost, even reigning champ Luke Littler will have to dance in the first round. The Darts World Championship will now resemble a Grand Slam tournament in tennis, with all matches done in a thrilling knockout style.
Compared to the previous tournament format, there will be a staggering 32 additional matches and eight extra sessions, generating more ticket sales at Alexandra Palace. It wouldn't be a surprise if the championship starts four days earlier in the future, opening on December 11 instead of the current December 15.
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
- Darts
- London
Extra Tidbit
Did you know? The current Darts World Cup of Darts 2025 features a 40-team format with a group stage for 36 teams and a bye to the second round for the top four seeded teams. The prize money totals £450,000[1]. The PDC Premier League Darts has seen numerous format changes over the years, and there are ongoing discussions for potential revamps in the future[2][5]. Any changes to the 2026 World Championship would require careful consideration of tournament structure, venue logistics, and player participation, so stay tuned for official announcements!
Sports enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the Darts World Championship 2026, set to be held once again in London at the Alexandra Palace. This year's tournament promises to be more electrifying with an increased number of participants from 96 to 128, and a doubled prize amount worth £1,000,000 for the winner.
