Winter Gardens

🎯 Winter Gardens — Blackpool, England (World Matchplay Darts)

Venue: Winter Gardens
City: Blackpool, England
Event: Betfred World Matchplay (Professional Darts Corporation major)
Typical Dates: Mid-to-late July (e.g., 19–27 July 2025)

🏟️ About Winter Gardens

Winter Gardens is a historic entertainment centre and event complex located in the heart of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been a hub of live performance, sport, exhibitions, and cultural events since the late 19th century — and is the traditional home of one of darts’ most prestigious tournaments.

• Historic Venue: The Winter Gardens has hosted entertainment and major events since 1878, evolving into a multi-venue complex including theatres, ballrooms, and exhibition spaces.

• Empress Ballroom: The Empress Ballroom within Winter Gardens is the main arena used for World Matchplay. It provides a large, flat floor space and flexible seating for major sporting events.

• Capacity: The venue can accommodate thousands of spectators (up to ~7,000 across the complex in flexible configurations), with Empress Ballroom and adjoining spaces used to house large audiences during darts.

• Other Spaces: Winter Gardens also includes the Opera House Theatre (a 2,800-seat performance theatre), the Pavilion Theatre, and other halls — all part of the wider entertainment campus.

• Location: Situated on Church Street, Blackpool, it’s within walking distance of the promenade and famous attractions like Blackpool Tower.

🎯 World Matchplay Darts at Winter Gardens

The Betfred World Matchplay is one of the sport’s most revered televised tournaments and a cornerstone of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) calendar.

• Event History: The World Matchplay has been held at the Winter Gardens since 1994 (except for a brief move in 2020 due to exceptional circumstances).

• Annual Summer Event: The tournament traditionally runs over nine days in July, featuring the world’s top players.

• Format:

  • 32 players compete in a legs-only knockout format.

  • Matches start with first-to-10 legs in the opening rounds, progressing to longer formats (15+ legs) for later rounds and culminating in an 18-leg final.

• Prize Fund: In 2025 the total prize fund was £800,000, with £200,000 to the winner.

• Phil Taylor Trophy: The champion receives the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy, named after the sport’s legendary multiple winner.

🎟️ What to Expect When Attending

Atmosphere & Crowd:

• World Matchplay at Blackpool is known for its electric atmosphere — a mix of dedicated darts fans, seaside holiday-goers, and visitors drawn to the historic venue and summer vibe.

• With many sessions selling out (including standing and table tickets for popular nights), early arrival is wise to secure seats and soak up the crowd atmosphere. Recent fan discussions indicate demand can be intense, especially for later round sessions.

Seating & View:

• The Empress Ballroom floor is configured for tables and tiered seating facing the stage (oche), with balcony seating above.

• Standing tickets are also traditionally available for many sessions, offering exciting proximity albeit without dedicated seats.

Sessions & Schedule:

• Matches are split across afternoon and evening sessions on most days, with the final typically in the evening on the last day of the tournament.

Local Setting:

• Blackpool’s seaside location gives the event a resort feel; many attendees combine darts with a holiday break, enjoying local attractions, shops, and eateries.

🧠 Practical Tips

• Buy tickets early: World Matchplay sessions often sell out quickly, especially for later rounds and finals sessions.

• Arrive early: Getting to the venue early helps with entry lines, finding your seat, and enjoying the pre-match buzz.

• Standing vs seated: Decide what style you prefer — standing gives a vibrant crowd feel, whereas seated/table tickets provide stable views.

• Combine with Blackpool stay: Many fans stay in nearby hotels or seaside accommodations for the full festival-like experience.

📌 Why Winter Gardens Matters in Darts

• It’s the traditional home of the World Matchplay, one of darts’ premier majors.

• The combination of historic venue, summer seaside location, and passionate crowds makes it unique compared to other events.

• Winning here is a highlight of many players’ careers — a mark of excellence in professional darts.