Alexandra Palace is a venue that fits, but will darts outgrow it one day? | Jonathan Liew

They’re constantly uncovering new items here. Whenever the trustees of Alexandra Palace carry out renovation work on the 151-year-old structure, they stumble upon remnants from the venue’s history: a glimpse into the everyday life of the past. Typically, it’s just old coins and ticket stubs. But there was that one time they discovered perfectly preserved vials of an early tetanus vaccine tucked away in a wall, a reminder of when the site served as a hospital during World War I. Or the piece of graffiti from the Victorian era left by an unhappy tradesman, which read: “The wages of sin is death; the wages of a carpenter are even worse.”

What will future generations discover in the dusty corners of the palace and under its decaying floorboards? How will historians interpret the wrinkled wimple of a nun, the old receipt for a halloumi pitta pocket (just £12.50 in 2024), and the numerous small plastic bags holding remnants of an unknown white substance? What narratives will they create about our lives today?

Most likely not – if we’re being completely straightforward – the tale of Thibault Tricole defeating Joe Comito in the first match of the evening before losing to the reigning champion, Luke Humphries, in the second round. Or Keane Barry surprising Kim Huybrechts, or Jermaine Wattimena carrying on his impressive 2024 with a solid victory against Stefan Bellmont.

None of this should be seen as unimportant or insignificant. Just so you know, Humphries appeared to be doing well, at least when he wasn’t straying into the single five. Interestingly, unlike the usual patterns in high-level sports, there are moments when the events on the field seem fleeting. It’s the surroundings – the venue and its crowd – that will continue to resonate over time.

As we approach the 2025 Professional Darts Corporation World Championships, it feels more like a cultural event than just a sports tournament. It's the one occasion that nudges you to realize you haven't begun your Christmas shopping yet. Fans make their way up the hill in their padded outfits and colorful stretchy clothes, celebrating with drinks, singing songs of both triumph and hilarity, including one dedicated to Yaya Touré. Who's competing? Oh, just a French guy.

Tricole seemed like a mere reflection of the player who eliminated Gerwyn Price from the Players Championship Finals just a month ago. Under the bright lights, he struggled while Humphries easily outperformed him, achieving a somewhat mediocre average of 91. On the other hand, Comito from Perth, despite losing 3-1 in his opening match, won over the audience during his debut at Ally Pally. He made a grueling 40-hour journey just for one game of darts. Anyone who describes this as a casual pub activity doesn't know what they're talking about.

Wattimena, who reached the finals of the European Championship, showcased an impressive performance as he easily defeated Bellmont while averaging nearly 100. However, the standout performer of the evening might have been 22-year-old Barry from County Meath, Ireland. He achieved a 3-1 victory over a struggling Huybrechts, posting an average of 95. With his distinctive glasses and unkempt beard, Barry resembles more of an undercover PhD student working on a research project about professional darts than a seasoned darts player. Nevertheless, he's bursting with skill, and a win against Price on Monday could set him up for the most lucrative opportunity of his career.

The consequences of wrongdoing lead to death, while a world champion darts player can earn £7,500 for just one night's performance, with the possibility of making up to £500,000. Money is now the driving force in this sport; this summer, all 90,000 tickets for the event were sold out in just 15 minutes, and Barry Hearn believes the PDC could easily sell out the venue three times. Therefore, despite the deep-rooted traditions and love for darts at the Palace, one can't help but question whether this partnership is on shaky ground.

The PDC has made it clear that they aren’t planning to leave anytime soon. However, behind the scenes, they are certainly considering it. While a move to Saudi Arabia isn’t imminent, venues like ExCeL and Olympia in London are definitely being considered. This is a typical move for any savvy business when the demand surpasses what’s available. Darts hasn’t achieved success by being overly cautious.

However, there are also certain places that simply feel right. Whether it’s the nostalgia of Victorian pigeon races, the excitement of modern drone competitions, gatherings for suffragette activism, or celebrations of same-sex marriage, this space has long served as a haven for everyday individuals striving for extraordinary aspirations. People trek up the hill, eager to experience the charm of the Palace while they can, as they enthusiastically turn today’s fleeting pleasures into tomorrow’s cherished memories.