Tourist body claims darts event is worth £10m to Blackpool

TOURISM chiefs in Blackpool have said the recent nine-day World Matchplay Darts Championship generated an estimated £10m for the local economy.

The event, which took place at the restored Winter Gardens complex, brought in more than 15,000 spectators.

The tourmament was also relayed by broadcaster Sky Sports to channels in Holland, Germany, Australia and the Middle East.

The World Matchplay darts championship is staged by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) every year in Blackpool in July.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn, said: “The iconic Winter Gardens is a great home for the Skybet Mobile World Matchplay.

“The PDC’s second oldest tournament is firmly established in the hearts and minds of darts fans up and down the country, who look forward with great anticipation to their week in Blackpool each year as the top 32 players in the world deliver nine-days of fantastic action for the £100,000 top prize. A wonderful venue for a wonderful tournament!”

Mandy Tythe-McCallum, Business Tourism Manager at visitBlackpool, said:  “World Matchplay Darts is a great event which means a lot the local economy here in Blackpool.”