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11 months ago
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For many sports fans, it's just as much a part of Christmas as turkey, sprouts and presents.
The World Darts Championship at the Ally Pally has become one of the most eagerly-anticipated events on the sporting calendar and it all gets underway on Friday night.
The iconic north London venue will welcome 90,000 fans - many wearing fancy dress - through its doors between now and the final on January 3.
Between them, they'll sink half a million pints of beer as they watch the world's best darts players step up to the oche.
The big stage has undergone a makeover this year as bookmaker Paddy Power take over sponsorship of the popular event.
Title sponsors Paddy Power have revamped the oche for the World Darts Championship at Ally Pally
The bookmakers are offering fans extra activities inside the famous venue for the tournament
Paddy Power have called the venue 'Ally Paddy' as part of their makeover of Ally Pally
Fans attending the tournament, which begins on Friday, can take part in a commentary challenge
The bookmaker have even turned the treble 20 from red to green as part of their sponsorship
Inevitably, the new colour scheme is very green and that even extends to the treble 20 on the board itself - which is traditionally red.
Green spotlights will also illuminate the 10,000-capacity venue and Paddy Power have also pledged to donate £1,000 to the Prostate Cancer UK charity for every 180 maximum scored this year.
Given that 901 maximums were hit last year, that could mean Paddy Power give £1million to help fight one of the UK's deadliest cancers.
The bookmakers have dubbed the famous venue 'Ally Paddy' as part of their takeover and have provided activities for fans including a 'commentary challenge'.
Michael Smith is the defending champion, having been propelled to glory by a nine-dart finish in an epic leg against Michael van Gerwen that left Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle unable to 'spake'.
Both Smith and Van Gerwen are considered among the favourites this time around but the shortest odds are against the name of Luke Humphries, who is in remarkable form.
Gerwyn Price, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Rob Cross will also expect to be in contention over the next fortnight.
Smith is in action on the opening night when he takes on either Kevin Doets or Stowe Buntz in a second round game.
Fallon Sherrock is one of two female players in the World Championship this year along with the BDO Women's world champion Mikuru Suzuki.
In 2020, Sherrock beat Ted Evetts to become the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship.
The (very green) stage is set for the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London
The popular event has become a festive favourite with millions watching at home on television
Tens of thousands of darts fans, most in fancy dress, will flock to the Ally Pally in the next two weeks with half a million pints of beer set to be consumed
Michael Smith won the last PDC World Darts Championship with a 7-4 victory over Michael van Gerwen - which include an epic nine-darter
Fallon Sherrock is one of two female competitors in this year's World Championships
Sherrock with partner and fellow darts player Cameron Menzies pictured in a rare photo together on social media
She then knocked out Mensur Suljovic before losing in the last-32 to Chris Dobey.
Her first fixture this year is on Sunday against Jermaine Wattimena, with Martin Schindler awaiting the winner in the second round.
If they progress far enough, Sherrock could come up against her partner Cameron Menzies in the semi-finals.
Suzuki has played at the Ally Pally before, back in 2020, but lost to James Richardson. She plays Ricardo Pietreczko this year on December 19.
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