World Darts Championship: Flags for the Ally Pally and Your Darts Night

The PDC World Darts Championship is played at Alexandra Palace in north London over Christmas and New Year, and the 2026/27 edition runs from Friday 11 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Fans follow players from all over the world, so national flags are the easiest way to show who you're backing, whether you've got tickets for the Ally Pally or you're hosting a darts night at the pub.

The World Darts Championship at a glance

Session times are published by the organisers; check the official schedule before booking a night out around a particular match.

Which flags do darts fans bring?

The world championship has become truly international. Alongside English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish players, the field regularly includes players from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, plus qualifiers from across Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Americas. Fans tend to bring:

• Home nation flags: the St George's Cross, the Welsh dragon, the Saltire or Lion Rampant, and the Northern Ireland flag. See our home nations flags.
• Dutch, Belgian and German flags: Dutch fans in particular travel in numbers, so orange is everywhere. Our Netherlands flags and the rest of our world flags cover every nation in the draw.
• Flags for a favourite player: if you're following a qualifier from a smaller darts nation, a national flag is a simple way to back them.

Women's darts on the world stage

Women's darts has grown quickly, and the PDC runs a dedicated Women's Series and the Women's World Matchplay. The winner of the Women's World Matchplay earns a place in the World Championship; in 2026 that was Beau Greaves, who won the title for a record third time. If you're cheering a woman through the draw, the same flags apply: her national flag, or a custom hand flag with her name.

Flags, fancy dress and the Ally Pally crowd

Fancy dress is part of the world championship tradition, and a flag worn as a cape or held up between legs is a big part of the look. But the organisers set the rules on what can come in. Costumes judged offensive or political can lead to refused entry, and flags, banners and poles may be restricted for safety and so other fans can see. Check the current ticket terms and venue guidance before you go. A 9in x 6in or 18in x 12in hand flag is the easiest thing to carry and wave from your table.

Our flags are not official PDC products and carry no tournament logos.

Hosting a darts night at the pub or club

Darts leagues and pubs often put the big matches on the screen over the festive period. A simple plan:

1. Bunting over the oche: a 9m string of St George bunting, or bunting for each home nation, along the beam above the board. Keep anything hanging well clear of the flight path.
2. Table flags: put a small table flag on each table, matching a player in the draw, and run a sweepstake on who goes furthest.
3. Festive crossover: the tournament overlaps Christmas, so you can combine it with your seasonal decorations. Our Christmas flags and bunting guide has ideas.
4. Your own league flag: a custom flag with your league or team name makes a good backdrop for photos and presentation nights.

For more ideas on dressing a venue, see our guide to decorating a pub for a big sporting event, and our table flags guide for sizes and bases.

Frequently asked questions

When is the World Darts Championship?

The 2026/27 championship runs from 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 at Alexandra Palace, with a break from 24 to 27 December.

Can you take flags into Alexandra Palace?

Rules are set by the organisers and venue and may restrict large flags, banners and poles. Check the ticket terms for your session before travelling; a small hand flag is the safest choice.

Why do darts fans wear fancy dress?

It's become part of the tournament's party atmosphere over the Christmas period. Costumes are generally allowed, but anything deemed offensive or political can be refused.

Do women play in the World Darts Championship?

Yes. Women can qualify, and the winner of the Women's World Matchplay is given a place in the field.

Back your player

Browse our world flags and home nations flags, or the full bunting range to get the pub ready for the festive darts.