Which venue has hosted the PDC World Matchplay darts tournament since its first edition in 1994?

The Winter Gardens in Blackpool has hosted the PDC World Matchplay since its first edition in 1994.

The tournament is played in the Empress Ballroom, a historic entertainment venue in the Lancashire seaside resort. Its intimate setting and distinctive atmosphere have become closely associated with the event, making the World Matchplay one of the most recognizable stops on the professional darts calendar.

The World Matchplay uses legs rather than sets, and players must win by two clear legs unless the deciding-leg rule is reached. The tournament is separate from the PDC World Championship, which has been held at several venues, including the Alexandra Palace in London.

Because both competitions are major PDC events, venue mix-ups are common. Alexandra Palace is strongly linked with the World Championship, while Winter Gardens, Blackpool is the signature home of the World Matchplay.