No fancy dress and chants at PDC World Darts Championship, but fans allowed 'to encourage' favourite players

Fans are allowed to buy tickets and attend the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship with a maximum of 1,000 darts fans allowed into Alexandra Palace per session.

However, only fans from certain parts of the UK are allowed to purchase tickets. These are those in Tier 1 and Tier 2 with London falling into Tier 2.

This means that there will be no fans allowed from countries such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands who usually make the pilgrimage to Alexandra Palace in big numbers over the festive period.

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To reduce the chance of COVID-19 infections, strict rules have been implemented which fans must adhere to while attending the tournament. These include fans having to wear a face mask upon entry with it only to be taken off while eating and drinking.

There will also be no Fans Village this year with food and drink being delivered to their respective table.

A maximum of four people may sit at each table with all of them needing to be from the same household or 'social bubble'. As a result, tables are bought in groups of four.

Fancy dress is also not permitted with only Christmas Jumpers permitted. Fans will also not be able to do 'football style' chanting or singing.

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Safety procedures

• Crowd numbers have been limited to 1000 in line with government guidelines and a strict programme of social distancing and COVID-secure measures have been introduced across the venue;
• Tables are limited to one household or support bubble (maximum of four people) per table, all of whom must arrive at the same time to gain entry;
• All tables and chairs are positioned to comply with social distancing guidelines and spectators will not be able to mix between tables;
• Face coverings must be worn at all times by spectators and staff when travelling around the venue, with the exception of when you are seated at your table, eating or drinking;
• The arena will be divided in to two separate zones, each with its own entrance/exit and toilet facilities to minimise contact between spectators;
• All food and drink will be ordered via a smartphone app and delivered to tables – there will be no bars or catering concessions for spectators to visit;
• Spectators will be sent a recommended arrival time, and event security staff will manage the exit from the arena in a controlled manner;
• One-way systems will be in place to manage the flow of people around the venue;
• Clear social distancing markers will be displayed to remind people to maintain distance between other individuals and households, especially when queuing;
• Hand sanitisation stations will be located across the venue;
• Daily deep cleaning will be conducted across the venue along with enhanced cleaning of public areas in between sessions;
• There will be no Fans Village and all spectators must head straight for their table on arrival;
• The only reason to leave your table during the event will be to visit the toilet, or for spectators sat on the Palm Court side of the venue only, to visit the smoking area;
• Spectators are encouraged to avoid public transport where possible when travelling to the event, with parking available on site;
• All spectators must follow COVID-19 guidelines and not travel to the event if they or any member of their household has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive in the last 21 days;
• All spectators must provide their name and the lead booker must provide contact details for NHS Test & Trace;
• All staff will undergo a daily health screening before being permitted access on site;
• Fully-trained COVID-19 Welfare Officers will be on site throughout the duration of the event.  

FAQ

Am I allowed to attend with friends or anyone from outside my household or support bubble?

No, tickets will be sold as tables of four where everyone on that table must be from the same household or support bubble. You must submit the name of everyone on your table when purchasing the tickets and declare you form part of the same household or support bubble.

How do you ensure that people on each table are from the same household or support bubble?

At point of purchase, ticket buyers must enter the name of each member of their party that will be attending the event, along with contact details of the purchaser, and declare that they are part of the same household or support bubble. Random ID checks will also be undertaken for spectators against the names on their tickets upon arrival at the venue.

What happens if the event is cancelled or has to be played behind closed doors for any reason after I have bought a ticket?

All ticket buyers would be eligible for a full refund if the session they were attending was cancelled or had to be staged behind-closed doors.

Can children attend?

Many families attend and enjoy the darts. We ask that all parents/guardians are comfortable with the nature of the event before bringing children and that all under-18s are accompanied by at least one adult from their household or support bubble.

Do you have any tables for people with access requirements?

Yes, there are designated tables for people with access requirements.

When and where can I purchase tickets?

Tickets are on sale to PDCTV Annual Subscribers from 12pm on Thursday December 3, and on general sale from Friday December 4. Tickets are only on sale from www.seetickets.com/darts - do not buy tickets from any other source as they are likely to be fake and you will not gain entry to the event.

What happens if I have symptoms so cannot travel to the event or if I live within a Tier 3 area?

Anyone displaying symptoms or living within an area subject to Tier 3 local restrictions should not attend the event. In either of these situations, ticket buyers will be eligible for a full refund by contacting SeeTickets and explaining your circumstances.

Do I need to bring ID?

You will need ID to prove that you are over the age of 18 years old should you want to consume alcohol. Anyone found purchasing alcohol for anyone under the age of 18 will be removed from the event.

Do I need to print my e-ticket?

We would prefer that you download your e-ticket onto your phone but if you want to print it out, you can.

I don't have a smartphone can I still come?

You can print your e-ticket so you won't need a smartphone for entry to the venue, but someone in your party will need a smartphone to order food and drink via the app or online.

How can I travel to the event?

Spectators are strongly encouraged to drive to Alexandra Palace where possible, ideally together in a household or support bubble with one designated driver. Car parking will be available for all ticket holders at the East Car Park, where Alexandra Palace suggest a £3 donation.

Alternatively public transport is available by train to Alexandra Palace station, by underground to Wood Green station, or the W3 bus route. However you should follow all social distancing guidelines and check tfl.gov.uk for more details before travelling.

How do I know which entrance to use?

All tickets will be allocated a specific entrance to use, either the Main Entrance under the Rose Window in the Great Hall or the Palm Court Entrance. Each entrance will have its own queueing system and clear social distancing marks on the floor to maintain space between all groups.

How will entry and exit times be staggered?

Doors will open 60 minutes before the start of each session and spectators will be sent a suggested entry time after purchasing their tickets, and at the end of the session everyone will be required to remain seated until told to leave on a row-by-row basis to prevent any grouping or congestion within the venue or by the exits.

What if one member of my group is running late?

Each table will be allocated one ticket, so all members of that household/support bubble will need to enter the venue at the same time or they will not be allowed entry.

Can we leave before the end of the event?

Spectators will be permitted to leave the event at any time, but once the event has finished, security staff will control the flow of spectators from the venue by permitting one row at a time to leave to maintain social distancing around the exits and external areas at the venue.

Inside Alexandra Palace

Do I have to wear a mask or face covering?

Face coverings are mandatory, unless you have a medical exemption, at all times during your visit, apart from when seated at your table inside the Arena, consuming food or drink.

Can I come in fancy dress?

Unfortunately, for this year only, we are unable to permit any spectators on-site in fancy dress. Christmas jumpers, however, are allowed!

Are we allowed to stand up, sing or chant?

'Football style' singing and chanting will not be permitted, however you will be able to encourage your favourite players from your table. Failure to adhere to requests from event security to comply with this may lead to your removal from the event.

Am I allowed to meet with my friends on another table?

No, spectators must only interact with individuals from their own table throughout the duration of their time inside the venue. Once seated at your table, you may only then leave your table to go to the toilets, visit the smoking area (Palm Court entrance side only) or to leave the venue. You may not re-enter the venue once you have left.

How do I order food and drink, and do I need to have a meal to have an alcoholic drink?

All food and drink will need to be ordered through the Ally Pally Food and Drink app, which is available via the Apple Store and Google Play store. We encourage all spectators to download this in advance. All items will then be brought directly to your table. Meals do not need to be purchased in order to purchase alcohol, but there will be a range of food available to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.

Can I pay with cash?

The event will be cashless with all food and drink purchases being made through the designated catering app.

Do you recycle your plastic drinks glasses and bottles?

Yes, all drinks glasses and bottles are recycled.

Will WiFi be available within the venue?

Yes, free WiFi will be available across the venue.

Will there be a smoking area?

There will only be a smoking area for spectators who are sat at tables on the Palm Court side of the venue. This is due to the size of smoking area required to maintain social distancing. If you enter through the Rose Window Main Entrance in the Great Hall, you will not be able to leave the venue to smoke. If you want to be able to use a smoking area at the event, please ensure you purchase a table on the Palm Court side of the venue.

Will there be a cloakroom on site?

No, there will not be a cloakroom on site in order to minimise queues and contact with other individuals. Spectators are encouraged avoid bringing bags where possible but any brought on site must be placed underneath their table in a safe manner. All bags larger than a laptop sized bag will not be allowed to be brought inside the venue. Bag and personal searches will be in operation on arrival.

Will I be able to bet or buy merchandise on site?

Both William Hill and the PDC will have a small retail site at both entrances, with spectators strongly encouraged to use the William Hill app if they want to bet, or purchase online from the PDC shop with a 'click and collect' service in operation to pick up purchases at the end of the event.