Could Alexandra Palace Lose Its Biggest Customer?
There has been talk of making the World Darts Championship more of a global event, but it would arguably lose the magic associated with Ally Pally if it spread worldwide.
May 21, 20253.9K Shares53K Views
When thinking of the most iconic entertainment venues in London, Alexandra Palace has to be up there. This is in no small part thanks to the PDC World Darts Championship, which is one of the craziest sporting events of the year.
This monumental occasion is a festival of darts, known for its incredible atmosphere and carnival-like celebrations. There has been talk of making the World Darts Championship more of a global event, but it would arguably lose the magic associated with Ally Pally if it spread worldwide.
Ally Pally Drone Fly Through | 2022/23 World Darts Championship
A Historic Venue
Alexandra Palace has been around since the 19th Century, and has always acted as a public centre for entertainment. It was conceived as the North London counterpart of South London’s Crystal Palace, and it has served many purposes over the years. Along with hosting concerts and events, it was also a refugee centre during World War I and was the birthplace of BBC Television. The BBC finally left the premises in 1981, making the Professional Darts Corporation arguably their biggest customer since.
The grand look of the Victorian-style building is iconic in itself, but the place really comes to life when it has crowds of people inside contributing to the electric atmosphere during the ultimate darts competition. It has been the home of the PDC World Darts Championship since 2007, and it’s now hard to imagine the competition taking place anywhere else.
Ally Pally ¦ Love Your London ¦ (2/?) ¦ History of Alexandra Palace
Fancy Dress And Darts Culture
If you’ve never been to a darts event at Ally Pally, prepare to be shocked. There’s nothing quite like the crowd you’ll find at the darts. Fancy dress has become a key part of the fan culture, and the result is out of this world.
Some of the best fancy dress choicesat the darts have included Lobsters, Vikings, characters like Ali G, or even inanimate objects such as traffic cones. There’s a lot of camaraderie between the fans, with singing and dancing. On top of that, there’s a close connection between the stars and the spectators, making for a communal feel.
Is Darts Outgrowing Ally Pally?
Even though it’s hard to imagine the major darts competition happening anywhere other than Ally Pally, there is talk of making it more of a global event. The sport’s popularity is increasing around the world, thanks to modern methods of accessing it.
Indeed, the World Darts Championship is now broadcast in various European countries and has an average viewership of 506,000 on Sky Sports. It has also been represented in other media, such as games. For instance, there have been various darts games, such as the PDC World Darts Championship offerings. There’s also the World Darts Championship slot game, which has found itself inside the top 20 UK slotsin the past alongside titles like Cleopatra and Wild Stacks Super Spins.
This rising fame does suggest that one day, the World Darts Championship could outgrow Ally Pally and be held in a variety of venues around the world. This would be a shame for many people who love attending the event at the London venue, as it’s unlikely that another place could offer the same magical feel.
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