Michael Smith is adamant that the World Darts Championship should remain at Alexandra Palace.
There has been a divide in the sport in recent times, after Barry Hearn appeared to open the door to a move of the World Darts Championship from its spiritual home to Saudi Arabia.
In recent days, leading stars Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price have expressed their openness to an historic move of the showpiece event to Middle Eastern shores.
But 2023 world champion Smith believes the darting calendar’s highlight event belongs within the hallowed walls of the north London venue.
He told the Daily Mirror: “Ally Pally, we should move rooms, not move venues. There’s a bigger room in there that holds six or seven thousand.
“It definitely shouldn’t be moved, never ever move the venue. It’s an iconic thing.
“You’re not going to move the Matchplay, because it’s Winter Gardens. It’s iconic.
“The Premier League is iconic to the 02, and the World Champs is Ally Pally.
“No one ever calls it the World Champs, they say ‘I’m going to watch at Ally Pally’.
“That’s what everyone recognises it as, should never move.”
Smith is not totally against a move of other tournaments to Saudi Arabia, but has backed widespread fan opinion on a move of the tungsten tournament.
Price had suggested himself that he was happy for the move to take place, due to his villain arc with fans which has seen him face heckling from the hostile crowd.
A move is being explored purely down to the demand of tickets, with the current part of the venue the tournament is held in only able to house 3,200 spectators.
Tickets are often snapped up before they reach general sale, and the sport has boomed into the mainstream in recent times.
Raucous atmospheres have been accustomed to the venue since its switch from Circus Tavern in 2008, with the fans heavily involved.
But the sport has seen more unprecedented growth since the arrival of teenage sensation Luke Littler.
An initial switch to the bigger hall of Ally Pally is likely to be a primary option, given it could double the capacity of every session.
But for now players will grace the oche in its traditional home.
News Summary:
- Michael Smith disagrees with Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price over World Darts Championship Ally Pally move
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