The iconic Madison Square Garden is set to host professional darts for the very first time when the sport’s biggest stars visit New York on the World Series of Darts tour in June 2020.
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden will host the U.S. Darts Masters and North American Championship on June 5-6, with world number one Michael van Gerwen, three-time major winner Rob Cross and Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price among those set to head to New York.
The World Series of Darts, promoted by the Professional Darts Corporation, includes six worldwide tournaments throughout the year, providing local qualifiers with the opportunity to challenge the biggest names in darts.
The 2019 U.S Masters in Las Vegas saw UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall triumph on his World Series debut – defeating World Championship finalist Michael Smith in a high-quality finale.
Van Gerwen clinched back-to-back titles in Melbourne and New Zealand, Peter Wright won the opening World Series event in Germany, whilst host nation qualifier Damon Heta secured a famous triumph in Brisbane – defeating James Wade, Gary Anderson and Cross en route to victory.
Florida’s Danny Baggish was crowned the 2019 North American Championship winner in June and will now go on to represent the U.S. in the World Championship in London in December, before heading to New York to defend his title in 2020.
Eight North American players will get their chance to take to the Hulu Theater stage in the events, which begin on Friday June 5 with the first round of the U.S Darts Masters.
The action on Saturday June 6 will be held across two sessions, with the North American Championship in the afternoon ahead of the U.S. Darts Masters quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in the evening.
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn discussed the move and was delighted to add New York to the darting calendar in 2020. “This is a fantastic development for darts to be bringing the glitz and glamour of the World Series of Darts to the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden,” said Hearn.
“This is a world-renowned venue and 20 years ago it would have been a pipedream for darts players to take to the stage in such an iconic arena – but this is another exciting move for us as the World Series continues to grow.
“Not only will this be special for the players competing, but this is a fantastic chance for fans to see the cream of the world’s darting talent under one roof on June 5-6.”
New York’s arrival as a new destination on the World Series tour represents further development for darts, which has become the biggest indoor sport in the UK over the past 20 years. The World Series has visited 10 countries since it’s inception in 2013 and now it’s set to break new ground.
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