Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler has endorsed a major venue change for the sport's premier event, a move that could see future champions land a record-breaking payday. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has confirmed the World Darts Championship will relocate within London's iconic Alexandra Palace from the 2026/27 tournament onwards.
Ally Pally's Great Hall to Host from 2026
Following weeks of speculation, organisers have announced a new five-year deal that will keep the championships at Ally Pally until at least 2031. However, to meet soaring ticket demand, the action will shift from the current West Hall to the venue's larger Great Hall starting next season.
The Great Hall boasts a substantial capacity of 8,300 spectators – that's a significant increase of 5,000 seats compared to the current setup. This expansion will allow approximately 180,000 fans to attend over the festive period, a jump of around 70,000 on this year's figures.
Littler Eyes Bigger Prize Pots
Reigning and back-to-back world champion Luke Littler, who dominated Gian van Veen in this year's final, is fully behind the switch. The 18-year-old, who pocketed £1 million for his 2026 victory, believes the sport's explosive growth justifies the move.
"Yeah, it's going to be massive," Littler said. "That's how big it's growing. The prize money's gone up and now the capacity is going up. So, who knows where darts is going to be in the next 10 years." His comments strongly suggest that increased gate receipts could lead to even larger winner's cheques in the future.
A Landmark Moment for the Sport
PDC chief executive Matt Porter expressed delight at extending the partnership with Alexandra Palace, a venue synonymous with the tournament since 2007. "Ally Pally at Christmas is the identity of the tournament - its atmosphere is unmatched anywhere in sport," Porter stated.
He confirmed that previous obstacles to using the Great Hall have been resolved, calling the relocation a "landmark moment". Emma Dagnes OBE, chief executive of Alexandra Palace, highlighted the event's importance for the charitable trust, generating vital revenue that supports cultural and learning programmes for millions of visitors annually.
With the stage set for a grander spectacle, all eyes will be on Littler and his rivals when the championship makes its highly anticipated debut in the Great Hall in December 2026.
