The dates for the Paddy Power PDC World Championship have been announced, taking place from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, January 3, with a record-breaking 180,000 tickets available. This year, the tournament will be held in the Great Hall of Alexandra Palace for the first time, boasting a capacity of over 5,200 spectators, a significant increase from the previous 3,200 limit. Following his back-to-back wins in January, 19-year-old Luke Littler is set to defend his title, having already claimed victories in the World Masters, UK Open, World Cup, World Matchplay, and Premier League in 2026. The event will feature 128 players in the first round, starting four days earlier than in 2025, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The tournament schedule includes a Christmas break from December 24-27, concluding after New Year's Eve. For the first time, tickets will be allocated through a Wimbledon-style ballot, with PDCTV annual members receiving priority access.
The ballot will take place in two stages, with the general ballot opening on September 8 and closing on September 14.