Since 2008, Alexandra Palace—affectionately known as “Ally Pally”—has been the spiritual home of professional darts. The move from the Circus Tavern in Purfleet to this iconic North London venue marked the moment darts transitioned from a small-scale event into a massive, theatrical spectacle.
The Move to Alexandra Palace in 2008
The PDC World Darts Championship outgrew its previous venues due to skyrocketing demand for tickets. The first tournament held at Ally Pally saw John Part defeat Kirk Shepherd in the 2008 final. The venue’s West Hall provided more space, better acoustics, and a legendary atmosphere that allowed fans to dress up and create the “party” vibe that defines the event today.
Iconic Moments on the Ally Pally Stage
The history of the World Championships at Ally Pally is littered with legendary moments. From Raymond van Barneveld hitting the first-ever nine-darter at the venue in 2009 to Michael van Gerwen’s three-title haul, the stage has seen it all. Perhaps most famous was Phil Taylor’s final tournament in 2018, where he reached the final only to be beaten by debutant Rob Cross.
The Rise of Luke Littler and the Modern Era
In recent years, Ally Pally has become a viral sensation. The 2024 and 2025 championships saw “Littlermania” sweep the globe, as teenage sensation Luke Littler reached the final at just 16 years old. With a capacity of 3,200 per session and millions watching worldwide, the World Championship at Ally Pally is now the most-watched non-football sporting event on Sky Sports.
