
It’s that time of year again, when Alexandra Palace welcomes thousands of fans for the biggest event in the darts calendar: The PDC World Championships.
Such is the strength in depth of the PDC right now that you could imagine at least a dozen players will be shortlisted for the 2026 Premier League campaign.
But there's only room on the road for eight, which means that a handful may be left disappointed – the likes of Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey and James Wade are in that camp this year, depending on the outcome of the World Championship 2026.
Bullseye is up there with the greatest game shows in British history, with the original series running from 1980 to 1995. There’s no doubt that the classic presented by Jim Bowen helped inspire loads of people to get into darts, cementing the game as a quintessential British pastime.
Darts has evolved from a pub pastime into a global sport with a passionate fanbase. Whether played casually or competitively, darts offers a wide variety of game formats that cater to different skill levels and styles. From classic scoring challenges to strategic multiplayer formats, the most popular darts games continue to attract fans for their simplicity, excitement, and replayability.
After losing his PDC World Ranking No.1 Spot, defending Players Champion winner Luke Humphries will be keen to retain his title.
The PDC Players Championships again returns to Minehead Butlins to a sell-out crowd for the conclusion of the Player Championships. The top 64 players by PDC Players Championship Order of Merit compete in a straight knock to find the Player Champion from Friday, November 21, to Sunday, November 23.
There have been some amazing performances by debutants in the PDC World Championships over the years.
Rob Cross came from nowhere in 2017 to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy at the end of the season, while Raymond van Barneveld's ascent to glory in his debut year in 2006/07 was rather more sign-posted, given his success in the BDO.
The likes of Mark Webster and Jelle Klaasen also reached the semi-finals in their maiden year, so could anyone replicate that feat in 2025/26?
It was the proverbial' Group of death' at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts.
World number one Luke Humphries was pitched into Group A alongside former world champion Michael Smith, another major winner in Nathan Aspinall and the talented Alex Spellman, who is the reigning CDC Continental Cup champion.
The WDF World Championship returned to the Lakeside Country Club, affectionately known by many dart fans as the home of darts due to numerous stagings of the previous BDO and WDF World Darts Championship Events. Review the 2025 Event results.
In a remarkable turn of events at the European Championship in Dortmund, Dutch sensation Gian van Veen stunned world number one Luke Humphries to secure his first major PDC title. The 23-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Giant’, showcased nerves of steel and exceptional skill to cap off a week of thrilling performances, culminating in an 11-10 victory over the Englishman in a nail-biting final.
Once confined to smoky pubs and working men’s clubs across Britain, darts has evolved into one of the most exciting spectator sports in the world. What was once viewed as a casual pastime has become a multi-million-pound industry, drawing huge television audiences and filling arenas across Europe and beyond. It's journey from humble beginnings to global prominence is nothing short of remarkable.
Many sports in Ireland catch bettors’ eyes, and darts is no different. This is a very intriguing sport that requires not only precision and discipline, but also hours of practice. If you want to become familiar with darts betting, and learn about popular terms and markets, we have prepared this guide so you can save time and kick off your experience.
Darts has transformed from a traditional game into a global sporting spectacle, and much of this evolution can be attributed to the rise of Premier League Darts. Since its inception, the league has played a pivotal role in expanding the sport’s reach, attracting new audiences, and elevating players to superstar status. This article explores how Premier League Darts has influenced the sport’s growth, its impact on players and fans, and the future of darts as a mainstream entertainment product.
Darts isn’t just a pub pastime anymore—it’s a full-blown spectacle. With roaring crowds, dramatic walk-ons, and nail-biting finishes, the top darts tournaments offer an atmosphere that rivals any major sporting event. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, here are the best darts tournaments you should absolutely consider attending.
The PDC has announced a massive increase in tournament prize funds for 2026 from £18M to £25M
The 2026 World Championships will have 128 players (up from 96), the winner will receive £1M, and the runner-up will receive £400,000.
At Darts501, we wear our love for the game on our sleeves. It's a sport we're passionate about, and we take playing and analysing all its aspects seriously. Despite this, we also try to approach it without bias, especially when judging it against other classic forms of entertainment. This led us to wonder how darts have evolved in the digital age, and why it remains so firmly planted in the landscape of physical gaming.
Darts has long held its spot as a pub favourite, calling for accuracy, skill, and a sharp eye. But with technology these days, you don't really need a physical dartboard anymore in order to enjoy playing the game. Online casinos have designed digital versions of darts games, allowing players from home to try out their accuracy and strategy. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, understanding how online darts work could make this pastime all the more fun for you.
Earlier this month, Luke Littler managed to become the youngest PDC Darts World Champion in history when he defeated Michael van Gerwen at the Alexandra Palace. The resounding 7-3 victory banished memories of last year when The Nuke burst onto the scene at just 16 years of age to reach the final, only to be defeated by Luke Humphries. His run to the showpiece in 2024 was arguably the biggest sporting news of the year at the time, but now, attention turns to the future.
There's been a lot of discussion in recent years as to whether, or rather, when, the PDC will cash in on Saudi Arabia's cravings for world-class sports events. After all, Matchroom has already established close ties with The Kingdom by staging world title bouts in boxing and new snooker tournaments. According to Barry Hearn, while Riyadh is keen to host the darts, it's still a dry country.
The World Matchplay is the second longest-running event in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) calendar of events. Since 1994, the event has been held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England and has been a Mecca venue for dart fans. However, the event moved away from the Winter Gardens for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Matchplay was played behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.
The MODUS Super Series, an exciting weekly darts competition featuring top international players, including Fallon Sherrock, Martin Adams and Robert Thornton, launched in the UK in 2022
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