The 16-time-winner Phil Taylor will be competing in his final tournament
Monday 31 July 2017 14:18, UK
The dates for the 2017/18 World Darts Championship have been confirmed with the final taking place on New Year's Day.
The sport's biggest tournament will be held at Alexandra Palace in London from December 14, 2017 to January 1, 2018, when the first World Champion of the New Year will lift the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.
Dutch star Michael van Gerwen will be defending the World Championship title in the 15-day event, with 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor set to compete in his final tournament before bringing an end to his glittering career.
A new record prize fund will see £1.8m in prize money on offer, including a £400,000 first prize for the eventual champion.
Following an opening night featuring four first round games, the next eight sessions over six days will see one preliminary round tie and three first round fixtures played per session.
The first round will then conclude with the final four matches on Thursday December 21, with double sessions on Friday December 22 and Saturday December 23 each featuring three second round fixtures to conclude the pre-Christmas action.
The second round will conclude when the tournament resumes on Wednesday December 27, which also features the opening two ties from round three.
The third round concludes on Thursday December 28, with the quarter-finals split across two sessions on Friday December 29.
The semi-finals will then take place on Saturday December 30, before the final is held on New Year's Day.
The biggest names in darts will return to Dublin's Citywest Hotel from October 1-7 for the 2017 World Grand Prix and you will be able to watch all the action with us on Sky Sports, or watch for £6.99 without a contract on NOW TV.
Who will win the World Grand Prix at Dublin's Citywest Hotel this year? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting @SkySportsDarts or by using the comments box below - sign in with Facebook. Follow us on Twitter & use #LoveTheDarts
