Darts’ World Matchplay event has made some tweaks to accommodate fans who wish to watch England’s Euro 2024 final.
The World Matchplay gets underway this Saturday at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens, with the likes of Luke Humphries, Luke Littler and Michael Van Gerwen set to grace the stage.
Traditionally, fans have been unable to wear club colours when darts’ events arrive at major cities, with fears over crowd trouble seen as the reasoning.
But fans will be able to wear England football shirts at this weekend’s event, a major rule change which is unprecedented in accordance with PDC rules.
The organisers have stated in ticket terms and conditions that fans will be unable to wear shirts but fans will be allowed to break the rules.
Spain fans will presumably also be allowed to break rules and wear national colours for the event.
This comes just a day after the PDC confirmed they would alter the start time of Sunday sessions so that fans can watch the Euro 2024 final afterwards.
A statement read: “As the England football team have made the final of UEFA Euro 2024, which will be played on Sunday evening, we want to give everyone the opportunity to get behind them.
“And so have decided to bring forward the timings for both sessions on Sunday July 14 at the Betfred World Matchplay to allow fans to enjoy the thrilling action from the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool before the football.
“Therefore, if you have a ticket for either the Afternoon or Evening Session on Sunday 14 July, then please be aware of the new session times below that will now apply and will replace the original times listed on your tickets.
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“Following the conclusion of the Evening Session, the UEFA Euro 2024 final will be shown live on the big screens in the arena to allow fans to get behind the England team from their seats without having to leave the venue.
“And in addition, the food and drink concessions from the Winter Gardens will remain open for the football.”
England reached the final as they beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund last night, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins burying a late winner to send the country into raptures.
It will be a historic evening for the Three Lions, who will be looking to win their first major tournament since the World Cup in 1966.
Gareth Southgate‘s men reached the final of Euro 2020, but came up short on penalties against Italy, so will be hoping to go one step further.
For Sunday’s evening session, the action will get underway at 4pm and will conclude at 8pm when kick off is due in Berlin.
The session is to be headlined by some big names including Rob Cross, Joe Cullen and Peter Wright‘s first round matches.
But the main attraction will come on Monday with two of the oche’s biggest names, Van Gerwen and Littler, set to meet in a mouthwatering clash.
It has been a successful road for England in darting terms, with Luke Humphries and Michael Smith having won the World Cup of Darts last month on German soil.
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