Barry Hearn has admitted he is open to taking the PDC World Darts Championship away from Alexandra Palace to Saudi Arabia. The Matchroom Chief has already threatened to move the Snooker World Championship from the Crucible to the Middle East when the current hosting deal ends in 2027. He has demanded Sheffield City Council build a new venue with 3,000 seats - more than three times the size of the 980 capacity theatre - or risk the city, which has hosted the competition since 1977, losing the tournament.
And now it appears the future of darts isn't safe either. Alexandra Palace, or Ally Pally as it is more affectionately known as, has been the home of the World Darts Championship since 2008. However, with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund continuing to pour money into sport's major events, the 75-year-old appears open to taking darts to the Middle East as well.
Luke Littler will be forced to miss World Cup of Darts for England because of PDC rule Luke Littler proves a reluctant model in latest fashion brand snaps Speaking on talkSPORT, Hearn was talking about his apparent willingness to take the Snooker World Championship over to Saudi. When asked if he would do the same with darts' most prestigious competition, he bluntly said: “Of course, every second of my life.” Pressed further about those who enjoy going to Ally Pally, one of the great traditions when it comes to sport at Christmas in the UK, Hearn added: “Go to Riyadh, we’ll come back to Ally Pally for som.
