Matt Porter reveals COVID worries ahead of PDC World Championship curtain-raiser

The PDC is set to welcome fans back after nine months away.

It couldn't have come at a better time either, with up to 1000 fans per session ready to return for the World Championship. Speaking with Online Darts, PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter revealed that the wheels were in motion for a fan-attended event even before the UK government's COVID rules re-jig saw London, among other Tier 2 locales, allowed to invite fans indoors.

"We were underway with an application for the World Championship to be a test event before the crowd return was announced," said Porter.

"So that was actually more challenging, because we had to prove that we were going to be safe enough to be a test event.

"When the government announced that Tier 2 indoor events could have 1,000 people, it just became law anyway.

"We've been in very productive discussions with London Borough of Haringey and they've been very supportive."

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Of course, as has been the case in the UK all year, there's a chance there could be another U-turn in the offing. London going to Tier 3 would cast a pall over the plans for fans.

While it's still thankfully hypothetical, Porter admitted that it's an ongoing worry for the PDC.

"It's not a spanner in the works, it's a great big sledgehammer going right through the middle of them. You'd assume that that'd mean no crowds at sporting events.

"It would take a brave man to do this to London a week before Christmas - or any other city for that matter, this event happens to be in London.

"But this government have been nothing if not consistent when it comes to decisions that have raised eyebrows, haven't they?

"We'll wait and see. Ultimately, if we can't let people in, we'll stage the event at the Alexandra Palace without a crowd and we'll make it as good as we can do.

"Let's hope for the sake of the sport, for people who have bought their tickets and people who want to watch it on TV or listen on the radio, that we can have it in there."

Ticket sales, Porter explained, have been solid - if, understandably under the circumstances, not as spectacular as in previous years, when an international crowd would descend upon the Alexandra Palace.

"They've gone alright. I wouldn't say they've been stunning. I think people are still maybe a bit nervous about going out, or want to wait to see what happens on December 16," he said.

"There'll be a few hundred people in for each session [at least]...for the right reasons - to watch darts, enjoy themselves and follow the rules.

"Some atmosphere will be better than no atmosphere.

"Fair play and thank you to everybody who has bought a ticket, and I hope we get the opportunity to entertain you this Christmas."