The World Darts Championship could be in for some big changes in the not so distant future. Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and reigning world champion Luke Humphries have all weighed-in with their opinion on the rumoured changes and the future of darts.
World Darts Championship Could Be In For Some Big Changes
Plenty of changes could be imminent at the World Darts Championship. The 2025 World Darts Championship is just around the corner, but there could be some monumental changes going forward after the upcoming event at Alexandra Palace.
Some of the best darts players in the world have all weighed-in with their opinions and what they feel would benefit the tournament going forward. There has been talk of changing venue, additional prize money, a bigger pool of players and even a change of format.
Whether or not these changes ever happen remains to be seen, but it seems the World Darts Championship could become a very different event going forward.
The likes of teenage prodigy Luke Littler, reigning world champion Luke Humphries and dominant darting Dutchman Michael van Gerwen have all voiced their opinions on some of the possibly changes surrounding the World Darts Championship going forward.
Could The World Darts Championship Switch Venue From Ally Pally?
One big change we could see in the near future regarding the World Darts Championship is a change of venue. It has been 16 years now since the Worlds moved from the famous Circus Tavern to Ally Pally.
Alexandra Palace has hosted the biggest event in professional darts ever since, but there are now fears that the sport has outgrown the 2,500-capacity arena.
In a recent interview with talkSPORT, reigning world champion Luke Humphries said: “Darts fans can’t buy tickets now, it’s so elite and we have to adapt to that.
“Obviously we need more sessions, more darts, and more tickets for the fans to get hold of. Maybe one day they may even have to move it to a bigger venue. That’s the way it is going.
“But that’s good for the sport because the bigger crowds, better atmosphere, people watching it on the TV and they go ‘wow’.”
Luke Littler Keen For Darts To Grow & Prize Money To Increase
Teenage sensational Luke Littler is part of the reason darts has gone stratospheric in the past year. ‘The Nuke’ reached the World Darts Championship Final on debut last year, and has since risen to fourth in the PDC Order of Merit.
Littler‘s impact has been felty right across the sport, with more eyeballs than ever on professional darts. This can only be a good thing, with the sport growing from strength to strength.
Whether this means changing to a bigger venue or expanding the player pool at the World Championship, the 17-year-old believes it can only be a positive change:
“It wouldn’t really affect me too much directly, but it would certainly be better for the sport if the numbers do go up next year.
“More players should mean more prize money really and that can only be a good thing,” said Littler in a recent talkSPORT interview.
World Darts Championship Field To Field To Expand From 96 To 128 Players?
Expanding the pool of players has been another hot topic of conversation surrounding the World Darts Championship. In fact, the expansion from 96 platers to 128 next has already been given the green light.
A change of venue is yet to be confirmed and it might not happen at all, but there will officially be 32 more players competing at the 2026 World Darts Championship than there will be this time around.
Three-time world champion and dominant darting Dutchman Michael van Gerwen also believes that any grow in professional darts can only be a good thing:
“It’s great, more people and more players at this tournament. The bigger the tournament is getting, the bigger that darts is getting and I think everything is very positive right now.
“It’s brilliant that the PDC are even talking about it to be honest. But I’m looking forward to it all, the important thing for me is to perform regardless of the number of players.”
For now though, the World Darts Championship is staying put. The action all kicks off on December 15 from Alexandra Palace, London. Do not miss it!
Be sure to claim the various darts betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of the biggest tournament in world darts.
