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Grand Slam of Darts: Wolverhampton Sports Hall Transformed for Tournament
Grand Slam of Darts: Wolverhampton Sports Hall Transformed for Tournament
Preparations are underway at a Wolverhampton sports hall to host the upcoming Grand Slam of Darts tournament. The Professional Darts Corporation is transforming the WV Active Aldersley venue into a professional arena for the event, which runs from November 14 to 22. PDC chief executive Matt Porter emphasized the significant economic and promotional impact the tournament brings to the city.
Crews from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) are finalizing preparations at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton, transforming the facility into a professional arena for the Grand Slam of Darts. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Saturday, November 14, and conclude on Sunday, November 22.
Workers have been installing stage structures, backdrops, and lighting rigs around the dartboards while setting up camera equipment, player walkways, and seating areas throughout the hall. Behind the tiered seating, a bar area is being established with a queueing system in place. A shop stocked with player shirts, Bullseye memorabilia, and other darts souvenirs is also being prepared for attendees.
The event typically draws thousands of spectators annually, with more than 2,000 people attending each session. Nearly all sessions sell out across the tournament duration. Matt Porter, chief executive of the PDC, noted that the event has expanded significantly since Wolverhampton was selected as the host city in 2007.
Porter stated that the city has become synonymous with the Grand Slam in a manner similar to how Blackpool is associated with the World Matchplay. He highlighted the worldwide television exposure as a major benefit for Wolverhampton, alongside the economic boost generated by large crowds visiting the event.
"The local crowd are really good and it's a strong darts region, but people are coming from further afield now as well, which is great, and from a TV perspective, there's coverage all around the world, so it showcase Wolverhampton," Porter said. He added that the influx of visitors spending money in local bars, restaurants, and hotels brings added value to the city.
Porter observed that attendance patterns have shifted over the years. In the early days of the tournament, Monday through Wednesday sessions were often quiet. However, he noted that people now recognize the opportunity to see world-class players at reasonable prices, snapping up tickets even if they have work the following day.
The PDC chief also commented on the venue's future, noting that the city has plans to evolve WV Active Aldersley beyond its current role as a leisure center into a fully operating arena. He suggested that such development would further enhance the profile of Wolverhampton.
K.Wojcik--GL
