PDC boss Barry Hearn to receive freedom of the city of London at star-studded charity gala

Barry Hearn OBE, the long-serving Chairman of the PDC and founder of Matchroom Sport, will be awarded the Freedom of the City of London later this year — a prestigious honour recognising his decades of influence across a range of sports including darts, boxing, snooker, and pool.

The presentation will take place during a high-profile charity gala in October, held at London’s iconic Guildhall in support of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. The evening, centred around a white-collar boxing showcase, will also see former world champion boxers Ricky Hatton MBE and Michael Watson MBE honoured for their contributions to sport and society.

Hearn, who has been instrumental in transforming professional darts into a global entertainment product, expressed his pride at the recognition: "I'm absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of London — a place that holds so much history, tradition, and personal meaning for me. It's a privilege I'll cherish."

He added: "I'm also incredibly excited about the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Fight Night this October — a fantastic evening of sport and fundraising in the heart of London, bringing people together for a great cause."

The 8 October event will see Hearn join Hatton, Watson, and the Lord Mayor, Alastair King DL, for a night that celebrates sport, philanthropy, and community. Sponsored by Bloomberg, the gala will feature a special boxing contest between fighters from the London Fire Brigade — selected by the esteemed Fitzroy Lodge Boxing Club — and their counterparts from the New York City Fire Department.