Live at the Marquee reveals multiple acts for 2026 festival, including James Taylor
Peter Aiken: 'Iâd 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 countryâs 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 âthe loudest cheers weâve ever had down there [at the Marquee]â.
âItâs getting big, darts. Itâs not just about the sport; itâs 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,â 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 âwhen it really comes down to itâ, saying he looks forward to bringing that experience to Cork fans.
âIt's going to be here in Cork to start, and weâll see how we get on,â he said.
âDarts is huge in Cork,â 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 âsuch a big successâ this year and that a lot of people who attended were not necessarily football fans.
âRoy Keane has transcended that and moved into entertainment, and he is brilliant, probably the most charismatic presence on TV at the moment,â he said.
âThe darts have moved from being in working men's clubs in the 60s and 70s, and theyâve moved completely to family entertainment. Weâre always looking at other things. We were actually looking at an ice show⊠Iâd love to bring Disney on Ice here at some stage. Youâre always looking for family entertainment like that, but ultimately our business is the music business.âÂ
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 âall year longâ.
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 âpityâ that the events centre wasnât committed to and built after the sod was turned.
âIâm 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 donât understand how vital entertainment is,â 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 âa great person and a great artistâ, is a big deal to have play the venue.
Aiken also hinted that there are âa few moreâ acts for next summer to be announced in the coming months.
