PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter on why Milton Keynes could hold the Matchplay
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter on why Milton Keynes could hold the Matchplay if the event is behind closed doors.
There is still a slim chance that the World Matchplay could be played at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. But after speaking to PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter last night, it sounds like The Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes is the chosen venue.
In the interview with Online Darts, Porter explained about creating a bubble event that was safe for all players to play.
“The Marshall Arena is the perfect location to create a bubble Venue. Hotel on site, arena on-site excellent transport links and centrally located.
“We get on very well with the management team; they are fully on board with what we are trying to achieve.
“ It’s a venue we know works for darts in normal circumstances; we believe it’s a venue that could work for darts in abnormal circumstances.”
Porter, when on to explain that the PDC and World Snooker (both under the Matchroom banner,) have been working together on the best way to hold events behind closed doors would work.
“ I worked very closely with the guys at World Snooker. They are following a very similar model to what we intended to.
“ We did a lot of it together just the way it happened with scheduling it just meant their event was first. Fundamentally there is very little difference from what they are to and what we want to achieve.”
Porter went on to say that the PDC are more than hopeful that around five Pro Tour events can take place before the World Matchplay.