The Rotterdam Ahoy is a large multi-purpose arena located in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is used for various events including concerts, exhibitions, and sporting events. One of the major recurring events held at the Rotterdam Ahoy is the PDC World Darts Championship. This is an annual darts tournament organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). With its large capacity, the Rotterdam Ahoy provides an ideal venue to host this prestigious darts event. But exactly how many people can the arena hold for a darts event? Let’s take a look at the details.
Rotterdam Ahoy Arena Capacity
The Rotterdam Ahoy has a total maximum capacity of 15,000 for most events. This includes seating for 10,000 people and standing room for 5,000. However, the full capacity is rarely utilized. For darts events, the capacity is lowered to create a more intimate atmosphere.
Darts Event Capacity
For the PDC World Darts Championship, the Rotterdam Ahoy sets up a special darts hall to accommodate spectators. This darts hall has a capacity of around 10,000 seats. The standing room is not utilized for darts events. So the total capacity for a darts night at the arena is approximately 10,000 people.
This 10,000 seat darts hall provides an electric and engaging atmosphere perfect for top-level darts. The arena utilizes tiered seating to allow clear views of the oches and boards from every seat. The seats rise steeply upwards to create a tight and intimate feel.
Arena Layout and Setup
The Rotterdam Ahoy utilizes a flexible layout to transform the venue for different events. For darts, a dedicated darts hall is created using temporary flooring and tiered seating blocks.
Stage and Flooring
The main darts stage features raised oches and electronic scoreboards. There is flat flooring around the stage to allow space for officials, players, and match logistics. The rest of the darts hall features tiered flooring for seating blocks.
Seating and Access
The seating blocks rise steeply to allow clear views of the action. There are multiple access points, aisles, stairs, and elevators to allow spectators easy access to their seats. Wider aisles and more access points are provided higher up to facilitate movement.
Support Facilities
In addition to the 10,000 seats, the darts hall also contains food and beverage stands, restrooms, betting lounges, and first aid facilities. There are also separate practice facilities for the players backstage.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the PDC World Darts Championship are made available several months in advance. There is high demand from darts fans around the world and many sessions end up selling out.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary depending on the round and session:
| Round | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Early Rounds | €25 – €50 |
| Quarterfinals | €40 – €75 |
| Semifinals | €50 – €100 |
| Finals | €75 – €150 |
The finals are generally the highest in demand and have the highest price. Tickets can be purchased online via the Rotterdam Ahoy website as well as reseller sites.
Average Attendance
The average attendance over the course of the darts championship is around 8,000 to 9,000 per session. Some sessions, especially later rounds, play to capacity crowds of 10,000 cheering fans. The atmosphere is lively throughout but really comes alive for the final few days.
Notable Moments and Records
The Rotterdam Ahoy has hosted the PDC World Darts Championship every year since 2014. This has led to many memorable matches and notable records being set at the arena:
- In 2016, Gary Anderson defeated Adrian Lewis 7-5 in the finals in front of a record crowd of 10,000.
- In 2017, Michael van Gerwen took home the title defeating Gary Anderson 7-3 in the final.
- The 2018 finals saw Phil Taylor defeat Michael van Gerwen 7-2 in Taylor’s final world championship.
- The 2020 finals had fallout from the pandemic but still saw 3x champion Michael van Gerwen defeat Peter Wright.
- In 2021, the tournament returned to near full capacity and Gerwyn Price won his first world title.
The party-like atmosphere and enthusiasm of the Dutch fans has built the Rotterdam crowd into one of the best in darts. The arena reliably delivers electric and unforgettable atmospheres during the later rounds of the world championship.
Future of the World Championship at Rotterdam Ahoy
The PDC World Darts Championship will be returning to the Rotterdam Ahoy for the foreseeable future. The venue has proven to be hugely popular with players and fans since it became the tournament’s home in 2014.
While the original contract ran only through 2020 initially, it has since been extended further into the future. The PDC, players, and fans have all expressed satisfaction with the Rotterdam Ahoy as the ideal venue for this event.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, darts fans can expect the tournament to continue being hosted at this famed arena for years to come. Tens of thousands of passionate spectators will continue flocking each year to see the world’s top players compete for the coveted title.
Conclusion
The Rotterdam Ahoy arena has a maximum capacity of 15,000 but this is lowered to around 10,000 seats for hosting darts events. The steep tiered seating creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for darts. Top players compete annually at the arena for the PDC World Darts Championship, with many sessions selling out. The arena has already hosted many classic matches and continues to be the premier venue for this prestigious tournament. Moving forward, Rotterdam Ahoy is set to be the home of darts thanks to its ideal layout and party-like energy.