"We see the future in the UK": PDC chief Matt Porter says no plans for PDC World Darts Championship to head abroad

The PDC has definitively put a stop to speculation about a possible move of the World Darts Championship abroad. Despite growing international interest, particularly from the Middle East, PDC director Matt Porter stressed that the prestigious tournament will remain "100 percent" in the United Kingdom.

The World Darts Championship, which traditionally takes place around the holidays, has been held at the iconic Alexandra Palace in North London since 2008. The explosive growth of the sport and the rise of crowd favorite Luke Littler have greatly increased the tournament's popularity, leading to rumors of a possible move to countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Those rumors were further fueled when PDC president Barry Hearn held talks with representatives from the region. A move to the Middle East would be in line with a broader trend in the sports world, as previously happened with boxing fights such as Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk. Still, Hearn previously indicated that it is unlikely that the World Darts Championship would be moved to a country where alcohol consumption is not allowed, an important part of the traditional darts experience.

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Matt Porter, in an interview with talkSPORT.com this week, definitively shut the door on a possible move. "100 per cent, we see the future of the World Darts Championship in the UK.

"Ally Pally is an iconic home of the World Darts Championship, it is somewhere we have been happy over the years we have been there. Clearly we want to keep growing the event, we will be introducing the new sessions to accommodate more players this year."

Porter did stress, however, that the organization continues to explore how the event can grow with increasing interest. For example, they are looking into the possibility of moving the tournament to the larger hall inside the Alexandra Palace, which could accommodate up to 8,000 spectators per session. However, that space is currently still used for the so-called "fan village.

"The big hall has always been a challenge because the amount of space elsewhere. But they have plans to enhance their venue, and things can be done differently as technology evolves.

"It's an ongoing process, we are in constant contact with them over their plans. But again this is also something we will continue to review as time goes on."

Luke Littler's stormy rise has revived interest in the World Darts Championship. Demand for tickets was unprecedented during the past World Championships. Consequently, calls for capacity expansion are growing louder, but within the familiar British atmosphere that makes the tournament so beloved.

"We will keep reviewing that and options available to us as to where the event can go and stay.But it must fit its status and keeps it being loved by the fans. It is important that trip to the World Championship becomes part of people's social calendar.

"Ally Pally is an important part of the event, but it is important we keep reviewing things."

According to PDC chief Matt Porter, the Darts World Cup will remain in the United Kingdom

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