Ricoh Arena to Host Three Further TV Events & Winter Series
The Ricoh Arena in Coventry is set to host three further televised events and the PDC Winter Series across a busy October and November period.
The Unibet Premier League Play-Offs, BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts and Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals will all now be staged behind closed doors in Coventry due the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ricoh Arena, which will stage the BoyleSports World Grand Prix next week, has also previously hosted the Premier League as well as a number of PDC ProTour weekends.
The Premier League Play-Offs and Grand Slam of Darts will take place on new dates detailed below, while the Players Championship Finals will take place across its scheduled dates.
A newly-announced Winter Series follows on from the Summer and Autumn Series, with five Players Championship events to be played across consecutive days.
"Firstly, we would like to thank everyone at the Ricoh Arena for their co-operation in accommodating four of our biggest events in a short space of time," said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter.
"Whilst we are disappointed that fans will not be in attendance at the traditional venues for these events, we are pleased to still be able to deliver these for both players and viewers during these uncertain times.
"October and November are always among the busiest and exciting months in the PDC calendar and this year is no different, with six TV events providing a perfect build-up to the World Championship.
"The players have conducted themselves impeccably throughout this period and I am sure they will provide more top-class entertainment over the coming weeks and months."
Unibet League Play-Offs
The 2020 Unibet Premier League Play-Offs will be staged at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on October 15, with play commencing at 1900 BST.
Table-topper Glen Durrant will play Gary Anderson in the opening semi-final, before Peter Wright takes on Nathan Aspinall, followed by the final which will see the two winners battle it out for the title and £250,000 winner's prize.
The Premier League Play-Offs will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as well as through the PDC's international broadcast partners including RTL7 and DAZN and for PDCTV Rest of the World Subscribers.
Ticket holders for original dates at The O2 will have their tickets automatically transferred for the same seat at the 2021 event at the same venue, on Thursday May 20. Any fans wishing to receive a refund must apply to their point of purchase (the Box Office where they bought their tickets).
Boyle Sports Grand Slam of Darts
The 2020 BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts will be held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry from November 16-24.
The tournament will see a 32-player field, comprising PDC event winners and qualifiers along with two BDO players, competing for £550,000 in prize money.
The Grand Slam of Darts will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as well as through the PDC's international broadcast partners including RTL7 and DAZN and for PDCTV Rest of the World Subscribers.
Schedule of Play
Monday November 16
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
8x Group matches
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
8x Group matches
Tuesday November 17
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
8x Group matches
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
8x Group matches
Wednesday November 18 (1900 GMT)
8x Group matches
Thursday November 19 (1900 GMT)
8x Group matches
Friday November 20 (1900 GMT)
4x Last 16 matches
Saturday November 21 (1900 GMT)
4x Last 16 matches
Sunday November 22
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Monday November 23 (1900 GMT)
2x Semi-Finals
Tuesday November 24 (1800 GMT)
Final
Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals
The 2020 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals will be staged at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry from November 27-29.
The tournament sees the top 64 players from the final 2020 Players Championship Order of Merit competing for £500,000 in prize money.
The field will be confirmed on November 14 following the conclusion of the PDC Winter Series.
The World Youth Championship Final between Bradley Brooks and Joe Davis will be played on November 29 between the semi-finals and final.
The Players Championship Finals will be broadcast live on ITV4, as well as through the PDC's international broadcast partners including RTL7 and DAZN and for PDCTV Rest of the World Subscribers.
Fans who had booked a Weekend Break Package will have the option to move their booking to the 2021 tournament or to a different Butlin's break, or to obtain a refund. Any queries should be directed to Butlin's via this link.
Schedule of Play
Friday November 27
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
16 x Round One (two stages)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
16 x Round One (two stages)
Saturday November 28
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
16 x Round Two (two stages)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
8 x Round Three (two stages)
Sunday November 29
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
Quarter-Finals (one stage)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Semi-Finals & Final (one stage)
Plus PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship Final
PDC Winter Series
The PDC Winter Series will take place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry from November 10-14 as PDC Tour Card Holders compete in five Players Championship events across five consecutive days.
The Winter Series will be preceded by the Grand Slam of Darts Qualifier at the same venue on November 9.
All five days of the Winter Series will be broadcast live on PDCTV.
PDPA World Championship Qualifier
The PDPA World Championship Qualifier will also be held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on Monday November 30 with play to commence at 1200 GMT.
A minimum of two places will be on offer to PDC Tour Card Holders who will have a final chance to qualify for the 2020/21 William Hill World Darts Championship.
Written by Josh Phillips