London's iconic Alexandra Palace will remain the home of the World Darts Championship until at least 2031, the PDC have announced, with the blockbuster event also set to undergo a major expansion for 2026/27.
As part of the landmark five-year contract extension, the World Darts Championship will undergo its biggest change in modern-day history with the tournament set to move into Ally Pally's Great Hall from next year onwards.
The upgraded venue will boost total tournament capacity to around 180,000, an increase of more than 70,000 across the 17-day darting extravaganza, with individual sessions set to welcome an additional 2,000 fans - taking capacity to around 5,000.
This expansion has been announced amidst unprecedented global demand for World Darts Championship tickets, as the event continues to cement its status as one of sport’s most unique and sought-after experiences.
The forthcoming 2025/26 showpiece gets underway next Thursday (December 11) and runs through until Saturday January 3, with world number one Luke Littler bidding to reclaim the coveted crown he captured for the first time in January.
Alexandra Palace has hosted the World Darts Championship since 2007 after taking over the reins of former venue the Circus Tavern, helping transform the event into a festive-season pilgrimage for darts fans around the world.
Discussions between the PDC and Ally Pally regarding the switch have been ongoing for a number of years, with a breakthrough finally being reached.
"Alexandra Palace has become synonymous with the World Darts Championship, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership through to at least 2031," PDC CEO Matt Porter said.
Ally Pally at Christmas is the identity of the tournament - its atmosphere is unmatched anywhere in sport.
- Matt Porter (PDC CEO)
"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."
Lucy Fenner, Alexandra Palace Commercial Director, commented: “We’re honoured to have hosted the Worlds since 2007 and 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.”
As part of the extended agreement, the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will continue its support of Alexandra Palace’s Creative Learning programme, committing £300,000 across three years.
The funding will help provide arts sessions for people living with dementia, outdoor learning opportunities for schools, and creative industry training for young people.
