Luke Littler has made his stance crystal clear on the potential relocation of the PDC World Darts Championship to Saudi Arabia, declaring he “definitely wouldn’t” make the trip if the iconic Ally Pally loses its status as the event’s home. The 18-year-old world champion, who clinched the 2025 title at Alexandra Palace in January, doubled down on his love for the London venue in an interview with SportsBoom.co.uk, amid growing speculation fueled by PDC chairman Barry Hearn’s hints at a Middle East move. “I think you’ve got to keep it at Ally Pally,” Littler said. “It’s the home of darts—moving it wouldn’t feel right.” His comments come as Saudi Arabia ramps up its sports investments, with the inaugural Saudi Darts Masters set for January 2026, putting the sport’s traditional heartland under threat.
The Ally Pally Legacy: Littler’s Spiritual Home
For Littler, Ally Pally isn’t just a venue—it’s where dreams are made. The 18-year-old became the youngest PDC world champion ever in January, defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in the final at 17 years and 347 days old, lifting the £500,000 Sid Waddell Trophy amid 3,500 roaring fans. “Ally Pally’s magic—the crowd, the atmosphere, everything,” Littler reflected. “I’ve grown up watching it there; it’s darts’ Christmas. Saudi’s great for boxing and snooker, but the Worlds? No way.” His sentiment echoes the Ally Pally’s storied history since hosting the event in 2008, drawing 9.2 million viewers for the 2025 final—a 15% uptick from 2024.
Littler’s bond with the venue runs deep: His 2023/24 runner-up finish at 16 was a fairy-tale debut, and he’s since added Premier League (£275,000) and World Matchplay (£200,000) titles to his Triple Crown. “Turki Al-Sheikh’s doing amazing things for sport, but the Worlds in Saudi? I’d sit it out,” Littler added, referencing the Saudi General Entertainment Authority chairman’s role in boxing’s Riyadh boom.
Saudi’s Darts Ambition: Hearn’s Hints and Littler’s Resistance
Hearn, the PDC supremo, has long teased the Worlds’ potential migration, telling Sporting Life in June 2025: “Saudi’s ready when we are—imagine the atmosphere compared to Ally Pally.” The kingdom’s foray into darts escalates with the Saudi Darts Masters (January 19-20, 2026) at the Global Theater, featuring eight PDC pros like Littler and Humphries against regional qualifiers for a £1 million prize pot. Al-Sheikh’s £2 million Worlds final offer—per Hearn—could tempt, but Littler’s stance is unequivocal.
The teen, self-managing post-ZXF split, prioritizes legacy over lucre: “Keep the tradition—Ally Pally’s unbeatable.” His PCOM position (48th, £61,500 after Grand Prix quarters) reflects selective play, but Worlds glory is non-negotiable. Humphries, No. 1 (£1.68M Order of Merit), echoed: “Ally Pally’s the soul—Saudi’s fun, but not for Worlds.”
Fan Backlash: #KeepAllyPally Trends
Littler’s words ignited #KeepAllyPally, trending with 500k mentions: “Nuke’s right—Ally Pally or bust! Saudi’s for exhibitions.” (100k likes). Wayne Mardle agreed: “Littler’s spot on—Ally’s irreplaceable.” As the Grand Prix semis loom (Littler vs. Humphries, October 11), Littler’s Saudi snub reaffirms his roots: The Nuke’s chasing history, not headlines in Riyadh.
