Darts. The sport where you throw pointy objects at a circular target while holding a pint. It’s a game that’s equal parts skill, chaos and questionable life choices. But how did this pub pastime go from being dragged into courtrooms to filling arenas with screaming fans dressed as giant pencils? Buckle up, because we’re diving into the absurd, dramatic and downright hilarious history of darts.
Picture this, it’s 1908 and darts is in trouble. Not because someone accidentally threw a dart into their mate’s foot (though that probably happened), but because it was considered a game of chance. That’s right, darts was lumped in with roulette and coin-flipping as a gambling activity. The horror!
Enter a pub owner in Leeds who was dragged to court for allowing darts in his establishment. His defense? Call in William “Bigfoot” Annakin, a local darts legend, to prove that darts is a game of skill. Bigfoot steps up, throws three darts and nails the single 20 like a boss. Then, the court clerk, probably thinking, “How hard can it be?”, gives it a go. Spoiler, only one dart sticks. The judge, clearly impressed (and maybe a little embarrassed for the clerk), dismisses the case. Darts is offiically declared a game of skill and pubs everywhere rejoice. Thanks, Bigfoot!
This courtroom drama marked the beginning of darts as an organized sport. By the 1930s, it was the unofficial national sport of pubs across England and Wales. All you needed was a dartboard, a set of darts and a willingness to ignore the occasional stray dart in the wall (or your foot).
The Mid-20th Century: Darts Goes Global (Thanks to Beer)
After World War I, darts started to spread like a well-poured pint. British soldiers, sailors and expats took the game with them wherever they went. Soon, pubs in Australia, Canada, South Africa and India were like, “Hey, this is way more fun than just drinking!”
By the 1930s, organized championships were popping up faster than you could say “bullseye.” In 1924, the National Darts Association was born and in 1937, darts made its TV debut on the BBC. It wasn’t exactly must-see TV yet, just two local pub teams throwing darts in what was essentially a test broadcast. But hey, every global phenomenon has to start somewhere.
Then came World War II and darts got a military makeover. Soldiers picked it up as a pastime, proving that even in the middle of a war, humans will find a way to compete over who can hit the bullseye. By 1939, nearly 300,000 people were competing in the annual News of the World Championship. That’s a lot of people throwing sharp objects at a board, mostly safely, of course.
The 1970s were a game-changer for darts. In 1972, the News of the World Individual Darts Championship was broadcast on TV and suddenly, everyone became a darts expert. Shows like Indoor League and World of Sport brought the game into living rooms and the UK decided to give the world a front-row seat to the thrilling action of people throwing pointy things at a circular target.
This wasn’t just a game-changer, it was a dart-sterpiece. The iconic commentator Sid Waddell, known as the “Voice of Darts,” brought the game’s drama and enjoyment to life with his colorful and enthusiastic commentary. “Oh, he should’ve gone for the triple 19!” became a common living room critique.
The 1980s were the golden era of darts. Players like Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson became household names, sparking debates in pubs and living rooms everywhere. It was a time of big hair, even bigger personalities and even bigger… well, bellies. The sport was no longer just about hitting the board, it was about charisma, showmanship and occasionally, who had the best mullet.
By the late 1980s, darts started disappearing from TV schedules faster than a free pint at a darts match. Players were frustrated. They wanted more TV coverage, more sponsors and more opportunities to grow the sport. But Olly Croft, the chairman of the British Darts Organisation (BDO), wasn’t having it. His infamous quote? “I don’t owe any dart players a living.”
In 1992, darts had its own soap opera moment. A group of 16 top players, led by Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and John Lowe, split from the BDO and formed the World Darts Council (WDC), now known as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). It was like darts’ version of “conscious uncoupling,” but with more tungsten and less Gwyneth Paltrow. The PDC held its first World Championship in 1994 and the rest is history. Phil “The Power” Taylor became the face of the PDC, winning 16 World Titles and helping establish the PDC as the home of the world’s best players.
The 21st century has been a golden age for darts. The PDC’s partnership with Sky Sports brought darts to a wider audience, with high-energy coverage, dramatic walk-ons and enthusiastic crowds. It’s not just a game anymore, it’s a party where the main event involves tiny pointy things flying through the air. Players like Michael van Gerwen (MVG) and Gerwyn Price have taken the sport to new heights, with explosive scoring and fiery personalities. The Premier League, launched in 2005, brought darts to arenas across the UK and Europe, complete with players walking on to their own theme music like wrestling superstars.
And let’s not forget the rise of international players. The Dutch, in particular, went all-in, making darts as popular as tulips and bicycles. Players like Raymond van Barneveld and Dimitri Van den Bergh have become household names, proving darts isn’t just a British thing.
Fast forward to today and darts is bigger than ever. Major tournaments are broadcast worldwide, sponsorship deals are worth millions and there’s even talk of making darts an Olympic sport. Imagine athletes from around the world competing for gold, silver and bronze… and probably a pint afterward.
In 2024, 16-year-old Luke Littler burst onto the scene, reaching the PDC World Championship final in his debut year. His rise has been compared to a young Phil Taylor and he’s already one of the most exciting players in the sport. In 2025, he became the youngest world champion in darts history. The future of darts is in good hands or should we say, good throws.
Darts spread through a mix of tradition, innovation and sheer enthusiasm. British expats took the game with them wherever they went and local leagues and youth programs ensured its future. The internet brought dart enthusiasts together and the PDC’s World Series of Darts brought top players to new audiences. Some countries even put their own spin on darts. For example, American darts uses a different board and scoring system, because of course Americans had to be different.
The Bottom Line
From its humble beginnings in British pubs to its status as a global phenomenon, darts has come a long way. It’s a sport that’s equal parts skill, drama and sheer absurdity. So, grab your arrows, aim for the bullseye and enjoy the show, because darts is here to stay. And if you miss the board entirely? Well, there’s always the next round. Game on!
Darts fever, because why not practice more, aim higher and laugh louder!
Adrian Lewis, Jackpot: “Darts should definitely be in the Olympic Games. Can you tell me any difference between archery and darts or shooting and darts? It’s a very similar concept and both of those are in the Olympic Games. And don’t forget that darts is also a hugely popular sport.”
