**Phil Taylor Praises Blackpool’s Winter Gardens as Darts’ Most Cherished Stage**
Darts legend Phil Taylor has revealed a heartfelt affinity for Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, hailing it as his top venue and even suggesting it surpasses the grandeur of Alexandra Palace, famously known as ‘Ally Pally’. Taylor, a 16-time World Matchplay champion, has enjoyed countless moments of triumph at the historic site, which has hosted the PDC’s prestigious World Matchplay tournament since its creation in 1994.
Located just a stone’s throw from the iconic Blackpool coastline, the Winter Gardens stands as a cornerstone of British entertainment history. Famed for its ornate Victorian architecture and the illustrious Empress Ballroom, the venue has welcomed all but one edition of the Matchplay, with the sole exception being 2020, when the global pandemic forced organisers to relocate behind closed doors to Milton Keynes.
The charm of the Winter Gardens extends far beyond darts. In its rich past, international music stars like Queen and The Rolling Stones have played to packed audiences beneath its shimmering chandeliers and intricate ceiling designs. Today, those same features serve as an atmospheric backdrop for the electrifying crowds who gather every July to witness darting history unfold.
Speaking candidly to the Express, Taylor expressed his enduring admiration for the venue. “I loved it. I loved the venue. My favourite venue,” he confessed. “There’s just something about that building—it’s old-world, Victorian, just full of character.” Taylor, who famously hit a nine-darter at the Winter Gardens in 2002, pointed out that few places possess the unique ambiance found in Blackpool’s most cherished attraction.
He drew a stark contrast between the Winter Gardens and other international venues, reflecting on tournaments held in Las Vegas. “There, it’s just a square room. When you play somewhere with such a stunning domed ceiling, as at the Winter Gardens, it genuinely transforms the experience. There’s nowhere quite like it,” Taylor remarked.
The significance of the World Matchplay tournament to both fans and players cannot be understated. Among many supporters and members of the darts community, Blackpool’s July event is regarded as the highlight of the Professional Darts Corporation’s calendar—even rivaling, some say, the exalted World Darts Championship hosted at Alexandra Palace.
Taylor further emphasised that while London’s Alexandra Palace is not without its own history and appeal, Blackpool remains unmatched in his view. “Alexandra Palace has got a bit of character, but not as much as the Winter Gardens. That one is truly special,” he explained. Blackpool’s embrace of the darts spectacle, and its accessibility, also weigh in its favour. “This is our Las Vegas. You’ve got all your guest houses, which are really affordable—about twenty quid a night, it’s fantastic for families and fans.”
Affordability and local hospitality are defining factors, according to Taylor, who recalls his own experiences enjoying the seaside town’s offerings away from the darts stage. “I had a lodge on a holiday park there, only ten or fifteen minutes away. It was beautiful—lovely lodges, costing £300,000. It was my home away from home during the tournament and made staying in Blackpool memorable each year.”
As the 2025 World Matchplay prepares to welcome the world’s best players and a legion of fans to Blackpool this summer, the words of Phil Taylor resonate as a testament to the unique place the Winter Gardens holds in the hearts of players and supporters alike. Its rich history and unmistakable character continue to ensure its standing as darts’ most hallowed stage.