The stage is set! Ally Pally prepares to welcome thousands of fans in fancy dress, who will sink half a million pints at the World Darts Championship as the big festive booze-up starts tonight
For many sports fans, it is as much a part of Christmas as turkey, Brussels sprouts and presents.
The World Darts Championship at the Ally Pally has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the sporting calendar and it all starts on Friday evening.
The iconic north London venue will welcome 90,000 fans, many in costume, between now and the final on January 3.
Together they will sink half a million pints of beer as they watch the best darts players in the world take to the oche.
The main stage has undergone a makeover this year as bookmaker Paddy Power takes over sponsorship of the popular event.
Title sponsor Paddy Power has renewed the oche for the World Darts Championship in Ally Pally
The bookmakers offer fans additional activities in the famous tournament location
Paddy Power has named the venue 'Ally Paddy' as part of their Ally Pally makeover
Fans attending the tournament, which starts on Friday, can take part in a commentary challenge
The bookmaker has even changed the treble 20 from red to green as part of their sponsorship
The new color scheme is inevitably very green and that even applies to the high 20 on the board itself – which is traditionally red.
Green floodlights will also illuminate the 10,000 capacity venue and Paddy Power has also pledged to donate £1,000 to the charity Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum 180 scored this year.
Given that 901 maximums were reached last year, this could mean Paddy Power donating £1 million to help fight one of Britain's deadliest cancers.
The bookmakers have renamed the famous venue 'Ally Paddy' as part of their takeover and have provided activities for fans, including a 'commentary challenge'.
Michael Smith is the defending champion after being propelled to victory by a nine-darter in an epic leg against Michael van Gerwen, leaving Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle unable to 'speak'.
Both Smith and Van Gerwen are considered among the favorites this time, but the smallest odds are against Luke Humphries, who is in remarkable form.
Gerwyn Price, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Rob Cross are also expected to compete over the next two weeks.
Smith will be in action on opening night when he faces Kevin Doets or Stowe Buntz in a second round.
Fallon Sherrock is one of two female players at this year's World Championship, along with BDO Women's World Champion Mikuru Suzuki.
In 2020, Sherrock defeated Ted Evetts to become the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship.
The (very green) stage is ready for the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London
The popular event has become a festive favorite with millions of people watching on television at home
Tens of thousands of darts fans, most of them in fancy dress, will flock to the Ally Pally over the next two weeks with half a million pints of beer on offer.
Michael Smith won the last PDC World Darts Championship with a 7-4 victory over Michael van Gerwen – including an epic nine-dart finish
Fallon Sherrock is one of two female competitors at this year's World Championships
Sherrock with partner and fellow darts player Cameron Menzies pictured together in a rare photo on social media
She then eliminated Mensur Suljovic before losing to Chris Dobey in the last 32.
Her first match this year is on Sunday against Jermaine Wattimena, with Martin Schindler awaiting the winner in the second round.
If they progress far enough, Sherrock could face her partner Cameron Menzies in the semi-finals.
Suzuki previously played in the Ally Pally, in 2020, but lost to James Richardson. She will play Ricardo Pietreczko this year on December 19.