The Great Hall: The 5,000+ Crucible
Situated atop Alexandra Park with panoramic views across the London skyline, Alexandra Palace (affectionately known as Ally Pally) has staged the PDC World Darts Championship every December and January since 2007.
For the 2026/27 championship, the historic Great Hall welcomes an expanded capacity of over 5,000 passionate spectators per session, generating the loudest, most electric live atmosphere in world sport.
Strict Bag Policy & Security Screening
Security screening at Alexandra Palace is comprehensive. All spectators pass through metal detection arches and manual bag search lanes at the Palm Court entrance.
🎒 Maximum Bag Dimensions: 30cm x 20cm x 10cm
Bags must not exceed small handbag dimensions (30cm x 20cm x 10cm) inside the arena. Suitcases, backpacks, large weekend bags, and bulky rucksacks are strictly barred from entering the Great Hall. While Alexandra Palace operates a £10 external bag drop by East Court under general venue policy, event-specific availability for the darts remains unconfirmed. Spectators traveling with luggage should verify before travelling or use central London left-luggage facilities beforehand.
Read Full Bag Policy, Prohibited Items & Luggage Storage Options →
Strictly Prohibited Items
The following items are confiscated upon entry or may lead to refusal of admission:
- 🚫 Hard plastic, metal or wooden prop weapons
- 🚫 Full-face covering masks or helmets (security ID verification)
- 🚫 Football club shirts, scarves, or political partisan banners
- 🚫 Inflatable toys exceeding 1 meter or obstructing spectator sightlines
- 🚫 Glass, cans, outside alcohol, and unsealed food/drinks
- 🚫 Professional cameras with detachable lenses or audio recording rigs
- 🚫 Flares, smoke canisters, fireworks, whistles, or air horns
Bars, Food Village & Cashless Service
The Alexandra Palace Great Hall features extensive dedicated beer bars running along the flanks and rear of the hall, as well as a large street food village located in the Palm Court and connecting halls:
- Pitcher System: Beer and cider are sold in reusable draught pitchers (including 4-pint group pitchers) with reusable souvenir stack cups.
- Food Options: Gourmet burgers, artisanal sourdough pizzas, hog roasts, fried chicken, and vegan/vegetarian street food options.
- No Outside Drinks: You cannot bring external alcohol or unsealed food into the venue (unsealed bottles will be confiscated at bag check).
- Free Water: Complimentary water refill points are accessible inside the Palm Court corridor.
Explore Complete Food, Drink, Pitcher & Nearby Pubs Directory →
Frequently Asked Questions About Alexandra Palace
What is the bag policy at Alexandra Palace for the World Darts Championship?
Alexandra Palace strictly enforces a maximum bag size of 30cm x 20cm x 10cm inside the Great Hall. Large backpacks, suitcases, and wheeled luggage cannot enter. While the venue operates a £10 external bag drop by East Court under general policy, darts-specific availability remains pending confirmation.
Can you pay with cash at Alexandra Palace bars during the darts?
No. Alexandra Palace operates a 100% cashless payment system. All bars, food concessions, and merchandise stands accept card and contactless mobile payments only (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard).
Are football shirts allowed inside the darts at Ally Pally?
No. Football club shirts, scarves, or team-affiliated attire of any kind are strictly prohibited by venue security to prevent rivalry incidents. Spectators wearing football shirts will be refused entry.