The schedule for the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship has been officially released, confirming that the competition will run from Friday, December 11, through to Sunday, January 3. Organisers have announced an unprecedented offering of 180,000 tickets, reflecting the growing popularity of the sport and the desire to accommodate a larger fan base. A landmark development for this edition of the tournament is the move to the Great Hall of Alexandra Palace, a venue that will host the championship for the first time in its storied history.
The Great Hall boasts a seating capacity of more than 5,200 spectators, a significant increase from the previous limit of roughly 3,200 seats that the event was confined to in earlier years. This expansion not only allows more fans to experience the excitement live but also enhances the atmosphere with a larger, more vibrant crowd.
Among the storylines generating buzz is the return of 19‑year‑old prodigy Luke Littler, who is aiming to secure a third consecutive title. Littler entered the 2026 season with an already impressive résumé, having captured the World Masters, the UK Open, the World Cup, the World Matchplay, and the Premier League. He demonstrated his dominance in January when he dispatched Gian van Veen in a decisive final, and now he is poised to add another championship to his collection. His statistics speak for themselves: out of 19 matches played, he has won 18, recorded 100+ averages in 15 of those contests, claimed 83 sets while conceding only 27, and amassed a staggering 196 180s.
Ticket distribution for the championship will adopt a novel approach, mirroring the ballot system used at Wimbledon. This will be the first time the event employs a two‑stage ballot to allocate seats.
Members of the PDCTV annual subscription will enjoy a privileged early‑access window, giving them a better chance to secure tickets before the general public ballot opens. The PDC annual members ballot will run from 12:00 pm on Tuesday, September 1, until Monday, September 7.
Following that, the general ballot will open at noon on Tuesday, September 8, and will close at 11:59 pm on Monday, September 14. Fans who prefer to watch the action from home can stream the matches and additional darts content via the NOW platform, which offers live coverage as well as highlights and video clips. Sky Sports will continue to be the primary broadcaster for the tournament, providing live coverage of each round. The first round this year will commence four days earlier than in the 2025 edition, featuring a field of 128 competitors and kicking off on Sky Sports.
As usual, the schedule will incorporate a short Christmas pause from December 24 to December 27, after which the competition will resume and conclude shortly after New Year's Eve. Alexandra Palace, affectionately known as "Ally Pally," has a long‑standing relationship with the World Darts Championship, having hosted the event since 2007. The move to its Great Hall this year represents both a nod to tradition and a step forward, offering a larger stage for the sport's elite to showcase their skill. Looking ahead to other major tournaments, the BoyleSports World Grand Prix will see World No.
1 Luke Littler defend his title. Viewers can follow the entire Grand Prix series on Sky Sports, and those who wish to stream the action alongside other top‑tier sports can do so through the NOW service.
In summary, the upcoming World Darts Championship promises a blend of historic venue upgrades, an expanded ticketing system designed to be fair and inclusive, and the continued dominance of rising star Luke Littler. With a packed schedule, early start dates, and a festive break built into the calendar, fans can expect an exhilarating month‑long celebration of darts, culminating in a climactic Sunday final in the majestic Great Hall of Alexandra Palace.