For those in Blackpool this weekend for the 2024 World Matchplay, it could be a very early start for Sunday's double session depending on the fate of England in Euro 2024. They face the Netherlands tomorrow for a spot in the final in a tie which could change the sporting landscape including for darts.
Currently Sunday's afternoon session is due to start at 1pm but due to when England will likely play if they reach the final, it could be changed to as early as 10am which has been mooted. With the match likely starting at 8, there would be an early start and finish time meaning that it could feasibly be an early morning start and a 2pm finish which is only an hour after the mooted start if it runs to schedule.
While the evening session would be 4pm-8pm of course not including the potential that matches could in fact run over. But it would be hoped that it would run seamlessly so that the coverage can be off before the match begins.
It could all go up in smoke though on Wednesday which is a win or bust for the tournament as a result with England facing the Netherlands. With a win, the PDC have confirmed it will change and it will be set in due course if it is. But in the case of if it doesn't, it is business as usual.
Rob Cross, Joe Cullen, Peter Wright, Dimitri van den Bergh and Ross Smith may need to adjust their alarms as a result with those players being the standouts over the two sessions on Sunday. This in comparison though to Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall on Saturday so the PDC certainly picked players on purpose for the Sunday slot in case of this eventuality.
The PDC have confirmed that should England reach the final of #EURO2024, the session times for Sunday's double session will be amended. You would assume this would mean moving both sessions forward, with 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm possible options. #WorldMatchplay
