Fans are set to 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.

Coverage of darts’ biggest event will be broadcast on the dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.

The 96-player tournament will see players from across the globe competing for £2.5 million in prize money and the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy in 28 sessions of action throughout the festive period.

Following the UK government’s announcement on Monday of their post-lockdown plans in England from December 2 onwards, the PDC will be announcing ticket details for the event shortly subject to the event receiving the relevant approvals.

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. “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.

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.

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.

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
Evening Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Thursday December 17
Afternoon Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Evening Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Friday December 18
Afternoon Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Evening Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Saturday December 19
Afternoon Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Evening Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Sunday December 20
Afternoon Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round
Evening Session
3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Monday December 21
4x Second Round

Tuesday December 22
Afternoon Session
4x Second Round
Evening Session
4x Second Round

Wednesday December 23
Afternoon Session
4x Second Round
Evening Session
4x Second Round

Sunday December 27
Afternoon Session
3x Third Round
Evening Session
3x Third Round

Monday December 28
Afternoon Session
3x Third Round
Evening Session
3x Third Round

Tuesday December 29
Afternoon Session
3x Third Round
Evening Session
1x Third Round, 2x Fourth Round

Wednesday December 30
Afternoon Session
3x Fourth Round
Evening Session
3x Fourth Round

Friday January 1
Afternoon Session
2x Quarter-Finals
Evening Session
2x Quarter-Finals

Saturday January 2
Semi-Finals

Sunday January 3
Final