Betfred World Matchplay darts will go ahead in July but could be moved from Blackpool home

The event has been held annually at the Winter Gardens since 1994 and has grown into a star-studded showpiece featuring 32 of the world's top players.

A highlight of the Professional Darts Corporation calendar, the event will go ahead as planned from July 18-26 and will be the organisation's first fully-televised event since the worldwide suspension of competitions due to coronavirus.

The PDC are working with the Government and other parties with a view to staging the tournament with a crowd at the Winter Gardens, subject to any relevant regulations.

However, the PDC state that: "Should this not be possible, then the tournament will be staged behind closed doors at an alternative, appropriate venue."

A final decision on this will be made by July 4, after which details for ticket holders will be confirmed.

Should it be decided to hold this year's tournament without spectators, then fans will have the option to defer their ticket purchase to the 2021 Betfred World Matchplay.

Those who would prefer a refund may arrange this immediately by contacting their point of purchase.

PDC chief executive Matt Porter said: "It is still our intention to be able to stage the Betfred World Matchplay with a crowd and we remain in talks with all relevant parties in a bid to achieve this.

"We have worked hard with the venue, our broadcast partners and other parties to look at alternative dates later in the year, but with no guarantees of how restrictions may be lifted we have taken the decision to retain the original dates so that the Betfred World Matchplay can play a major part in our sport's return to action.

"Giving fans the chance to apply for a refund for this year's tickets or to retain their booking will give them a chance to make their own decision in relation to the event either immediately or when a final announcement is made in the coming weeks.

"The Betfred World Matchplay will be broadcast in full by Sky Sports as well as the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners, and with or without a crowd we're working as hard as possible to make the 2020 tournament as special as ever."

The PDC are also finalising plans to resume ranked Players Championship events from next month, subject to Government approval and clarification on any quarantine restrictions for players based overseas.

The World Matchplay, won 16 times by Phil Taylor, has crowned new champions for the past two years in Gary Anderson and Rob Cross.