Barry Hearn says the World Darts Championship’s future at Alexandra Palace is “under discussion” after Luke Littler’s dramatic impact on the game.
Hearn says the 17-year-old is the “the gift that keeps on giving” after bursting onto the scene and taking darts into the mainstream.
Littler stormed to the 2024 World Championship closing in his event debut and final week gained the Premier League, hitting a nine-dart end in his 11-7 victory over Luke Humphries within the closing.
Alexandra Palace has hosted the World Championship since 2008 however the 3,200-capacity venue is restricted and tickets promote out in July earlier than even hitting normal sale.
Matchroom Sport president Hearn informed the PA information company: “Do we have to transfer to an even bigger venue? The larger corridor at Ally Pally wants a variety of work performed to it nevertheless it might deal with 6,000 individuals per session.
“So there’s the potential. However the different facet of it’s the sport of darts all over the world is getting so enormous I truly have to make the World Championship longer.
“If I’ve acquired eight additional periods I’ve acquired 25,000 extra tickets to promote. However inevitably ultimately we’re going to be what we’re going to do.
“It is one step at a time, I am not a gambler, but sometimes you get a curveball like Luke Littler and you have to rethink your strategy.”
Hearn ‘conserving choices open’
Hearn added: “We reckon we might promote 250,000 tickets for the World Championship they usually would not match within the Ally Pally.
“It’s one step at a time, we are looking at the big hall but it needs a lot of work done. We are keeping our options open because we have learned with Luke Littler that you sometimes can’t see what is coming. It’s under discussion with everybody.”
Talking in April, PDC chief govt Matt Porter stated: “It is something that is under constant review but it would take something very special for us to leave Ally Pally.
“It’s an iconic venue, it’s a beloved venue.
“The World Darts Championship at Ally Pally at Christmas, those three things go together in the same way Wimbledon, strawberries and cream and the summer fit together.
“It’s a improbable venue for the occasion, we carry a variety of infrastructure with us, by way of the fan village, and never each venue can try this, there’s far more to the Ally Pally than the world the place the darts is performed.
“But you can never rule out anything going forward because the event is sold out in July even before it goes on general sale.
“It’s a phenomenon and it’s as much as us to maximise the chance and the income for the gamers. You may’t rule it out however you do not wish to repair what will not be damaged.”
‘Littler like Tiger Woods; darts now at new level in stratosphere’
Littler has already transcended the sport, appearing on Saturday night chat shows and high-profile podcasts while also presenting a Brit Award.
Hearn added: “That is going to a degree we have now not come throughout earlier than. Darts is a large enterprise, however we have now gone to a different degree within the stratosphere. It isn’t a large shock nevertheless it’s the most effective 2024 current I might have requested for.
“I’ve had broadcasters all over the world queuing up, sponsors eager to see what’s out there, reviews from future occasions promoting out.
“Rather than it peter out, it is gaining momentum. I call it now the Luke Littler effect, the gift that keeps on giving.
“I might examine him to the British model of Tiger Woods. He has his ft on the bottom and does not appear to get phased, for a 17-year-old that’s simply wonderful.
“I just think that darts hasn’t even started in where it is going to go globally. I have been in this business for 50 years and I have never seen anything like this in any sport, it’s as simple as that.”
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