PDC misses out on millions due to absence of fans at World Championship

The PDC had to suddenly move back to behind closed doors for the showpiece World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace following the announcement of London going into Tier 3 (the highest level on the government's system).

This meant that only one night in the first half of the tournament at least saw fans. Barry Hearn spoke to Darts World and revealed that the PDC will take an over £4m hit due to the last minute decision and called on the government to add clarity to the situation sooner.

“It’s a £4million hit, probably more than £4million," said Hearn to Darts World.

“This is the best we can do, it’s not darts as we know it. I refer to it as Star Trek darts, it’s not darts as we know it Jim.

“I know that they are going to review on December 23, so does that mean we might have a chance of fans back out there? I don’t know.

“I need some leadership and I need some consistency and I need some common sense. It’s not too much to ask is it? We’ve been through this pandemic for nine months we should have some idea of how we should be dealing with it.

“We know the vaccine is coming hopefully and that’s going to have a massive effect but we don’t know when. The essence of all great businesses is the planning. And at the moment in this country whether it’s planning for Brexit or planning for Covid, there’s lots of questions out there about the leadership we are getting.”