ALEXANDRA PALACE is to host the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship for the next four years.

The iconic north London venue hosted the World Championship for the first time last Christmas, when almost 30,000 fans flocked to 'Ally Pally'.

Following the success of that tournament, the PDC have now signed a four-year contract to stage the world's biggest and richest darts event at Alexandra Palace until at least the 2012 tournament.

Alexandra Palace hosted the old News of the World Championship in the 1970s, and the World Championship marked a hugely successful return of the sport to the venue.

"Last year, Alexandra Palace immediately announced itself as the ideal home for the world's greatest darts tournament, the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

"We were delighted with the success of the event, and our players, sponsors, broadcasters and fans thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Alexandra Palace. We're looking forward to the next four years."

Prize money for the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship increases to £735,000 this year and to an unprecedented £1 million in 2009-10 - with £200,000 to the winner.

Andy Briggs, Alexandra Palace's Chief Operating Officer, said: "We are proud to be hosting the return of such a high-profile event and look forward to a long and prosperous working relationship with the PDC.

"Alexandra Palace's unique prestige continues to be appreciated within the events industry, and the setting adds that extra special backdrop unrivalled by any other London venue."

Tickets for the 2009 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship will go on sale on Monday 9 June exclusively for DartsTV Annual Subscribers, and on general sale from Monday 16 June. Full information will be available at www.planetdarts.tv in due course.