Live at the Marquee reveals multiple acts for 2026 festival, including James Taylor
Peter Aiken: 'I’d love to bring Disney on Ice here at some stage.' Picture: Chani Anderson
The loudest cheers ever heard from the Live at the Marquee tent are expected next summer, according to the man behind one of the country’s largest concert-promoting companies.
Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions, who celebrates 20 years of Live at the Marquee, is bringing world-class darts to Cork next summer, transforming the tented venue into the Ally Pally for the very first time.
The Marquee Masters will showcase some of the biggest names in global darts, all appearing together under one roof on July 11.
Leading the lineup will be the current world champion, Luke Humphries, joined by two-time world champion Adrian Lewis, history-making superstar Fallon Sherrock, and fan favourite Simon Whitlock.
The legendary Phil Taylor, winner of 16 world championships, will also attend as VIP host on the night. While Taylor will not be playing on the night, fans will have the opportunity to meet the man who is one of the greatest players the sport has seen.
Speaking to the media in Cork on Monday afternoon, Aiken said he expects the event to garner “the loudest cheers we’ve ever had down there [at the Marquee]”.
“It’s getting big, darts. It’s not just about the sport; it’s more entertainment. The darts is something that everybody can follow, no matter what age you are. It used to be men who used to go to darts clubs; now they all seem to follow it,” he said.
Aiken spoke of the atmosphere he experienced at the popular entertainment and sports venue in London known as the Ally Pally and the tension in the venue “when it really comes down to it”, saying he looks forward to bringing that experience to Cork fans.
“It's going to be here in Cork to start, and we’ll see how we get on,” he said.
“Darts is huge in Cork,” he continued.
Aiken explained that people will be able to buy by the table and that the chairs provided will be more sturdy and comfortable banqueting chairs.
When asked if hosting an event such as The Marquee Masters opens the door to venture into more of these types of events in the future, Aiken said he is always looking toward new things.
He said that Roy Keane at the Marquee was “such a big success” this year and that a lot of people who attended were not necessarily football fans.
“Roy Keane has transcended that and moved into entertainment, and he is brilliant, probably the most charismatic presence on TV at the moment,” he said.
“The darts have moved from being in working men's clubs in the 60s and 70s, and they’ve moved completely to family entertainment. We’re always looking at other things. We were actually looking at an ice show… I’d love to bring Disney on Ice here at some stage. You’re always looking for family entertainment like that, but ultimately our business is the music business.”Â
Aiken also touched on the need for a bigger events space in Cork, saying a dedicated events centre would enable him to bring artists and events to the city “all year long”.
He said that Cork is missing out on that front, and questioned whether those in charge understand just how vital entertainment is, describing it as a “pity” that the events centre wasn’t committed to and built after the sod was turned.
“I’m not blaming anybody, but when they turned the sod and said they were going to build it, it should have happened. Maybe the people in charge don’t understand how vital entertainment is,” he said.
With a line-up of 22 acts at the Marquee in 2026, Aiken said he is looking forward to seeing the likes of BellX1, Dec Pierce and K-Pop Forever Tribute, which he said might see a third date added, play the Marquee next year.
He said that James Taylor, whom he knows personally and described as “a great person and a great artist”, is a big deal to have play the venue.
Aiken also hinted that there are “a few more” acts for next summer to be announced in the coming months.
