2020/21 William Hill World Championship dates confirmed

Fans could return to PDC darts in the UK next month when the 2020/21 William Hill World Darts Championship is held from December 15-January 3 at Alexandra Palace in London, while coverage of darts’ biggest event will be broadcast on the dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.

Following the UK government's announcement on Monday of their post-lockdown plans in England from December 2 onwards, the PDC will now be working with Alexandra Palace to explore the potential for fans to attend the event.

Information will be posted once confirmed at www.pdc.tv/tickets, where fans can also sign up to receive email updates.

The World Championship's opening nine days at Alexandra Palace from December 15 until the Christmas break will see the first and second rounds take place. The action will resume with the third and fourth rounds across four days between Christmas and New Year, with play from December 27-30.

New Year's Day will see the quarter-finals take place, with the semi-finals on Saturday January 2 ahead of the showpiece final on Sunday January 3.

The world's top 32 players will enter the tournament at the second round stage, with the first round featuring the 32 qualifiers from the ProTour Order of Merit coming up against 32 international representatives.

Global TV coverage will be headlined by non-stop darts action on the exclusive Sky Sports Darts channel, which will run from December 15-January 4 and see live broadcasts accompanied by archive footage and special programming.

"Whilst 2020 has been an uncertain and unprecedented year in so many ways, to have the William Hill World Darts Championship on the horizon is fantastic for everyone involved in our sport," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

"We'll have 28 sessions across 16 days in this year's World Championship, and whilst some aspects of the event will naturally be different in the current climate the action on the oche will be as sensational as ever.

“Monday’s announcement means that we can step up our discussions with the relevant bodies to hopefully stage the World Championship with a live crowd in the UK for the first time since March, which would be a huge boost for so many people for whom this event is a highlight of the year.

"Our players have been superb throughout the challenging times of 2020 and I'm delighted that they can end the year by playing for our biggest prize in the World Championship.

"We're also grateful for the continued support of our sponsors and partners, notably William Hill, Alexandra Palace and Sky Sports, who will again be running their 24/7 Sky Sports Darts channel throughout the festive feast of darts."

The 2019/20 William Hill World Darts Championship was a huge success, culminating in Peter Wright’s historic first victory as he defeated Michael van Gerwen in the final, while Fallon Sherrock became the first female player to win in the tournament with her defeats of Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic, gaining worldwide recognition.

Fallon Sherrock (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

2020 has also seen Glen Durrant win the Premier League in his debut season, live on Sky Sports, while Belgium’s Dimitri Van den Bergh took the biggest victory of his career in the prestigious World Matchplay.

Georgina Faulkner, Director of Sky Sports Multisport, said: "We're delighted once again to be showing the PDC World Championship on our designated Sky Sports Darts channel.

"It will be a different feel this year to deliver the world-famous Ally Pally atmosphere but we're pleased to still be able to showcase the pinnacle of world darts and will endeavour to bring people at home as close to the action as we can for this festive sporting staple."

Further global coverage of the William Hill World Darts Championship through the PDC's international broadcast partners will include RTL7 in the Netherlands, DAZN in various territories, Fox Sports in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand, through PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers and at matchroom.live.

Alexandra Palace (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Louise Stewart, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust CEO, said: "We're delighted that the William Hill World Darts Championship will be taking place at Ally Pally once again this year.

"It's a highlight of the festive period and something we are proud the Palace is part of. We look forward to working alongside the PDC, Sky Sports, William Hill and all the players to ensure this year's championship is another absorbing spectacle for everyone to enjoy."

Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen is currently the 3/1 pre-tournament favourite with title sponsors William Hill ahead of this year's event.

Gerwyn Price is 9/2 to cap a sensational year on the circuit with his first World Championship win, while reigning champion Peter Wright is 5/1 to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy.

Michael van Gerwen (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

The draw for the William Hill World Darts Championship will be made on Thursday December 3 live on Sky Sports News, with the field being confirmed on Monday November 30 following the PDC Tour Card Holder Qualifier event in Coventry.

2020/21 William Hill World Darts Championship
Session Schedule
Tuesday December 15
3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Wednesday December 16
Afternoon Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round