Alexandra Palace has turned into a carnival of chaos, color, and cheer as the World Darts Championship kicked off on Thursday.
Forget your typical pub night—here, Oompa-Loompas mingle with Shrek, giant pizza slices, and even flocks of chickens, all cheering on their favourite players.
The atmosphere is more party than sporting event, and fans have arrived in droves, ready for both darts and festivities.
Luke Littler Makes a Smooth Start
The tournament got underway with Luke Littler defending his world title, and he made it look effortless.
Littler swept past Lithuanian challenger Darius Labanauskas in straight sets, all while the crowd roared in delight.
Supporters were loud, proud, and more than a little inventive with their costumes—male nurses, jockeys, and oversized foam gloves were all part of the spectacle.
Fancy Dress and Feathered Fun
The costume fun hasn’t stopped, carrying on into Friday’s action.
Fans dressed as chickens are eagerly watching Ryan Searle and Rob Cross, hoping the players will “ruffle a few feathers” and keep the energy high.
It’s as much about the entertainment as the darts, and the fans are embracing every quirky, wild moment.
Big Prizes and Paddy Power Bonuses
There’s more than bragging rights on offer.
Lucky fans have the chance to pocket a share of £60,000 through Paddy Power’s nine-dart bonus, which splits £180,000 between the player, charity, and a random attendee if the perfect leg is hit.
It adds a little extra sparkle to every throw and keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
Pints, Prices, and Party Vibes
Of course, no World Darts Championship would be complete without pints in hand.
The cheapest lager clocks in at £7.85, while Amstel and Brixton Reliance pale ales are slightly higher, with pitchers running up to £32.80.
Wine and shots are available too, though only card payments are accepted.
Fans might have noticed prices are slightly lower than the Premier League play-offs in May, but the festive atmosphere and 750,000 pints projected to be poured more than make up for it.
Sky Sports Insights and Safety
Sky Sports anchor Emma Paton highlighted the balance between rowdy fun and safety.
“It’s darts—there are rowdy fans for sure, but there’s a lot of security, and people are generally having a great time,” she said.
Compared to football venues, the darts crowd has been remarkably well-behaved, making it a safe environment to let loose.
Wayne Mardle on the Growth of Darts
Former player and pundit Wayne Mardle says the sport’s rise shows no signs of slowing.
“The Worlds cap off the year and kick off the new one.
It’s in a fantastic spot on the calendar,” he explained.
Mardle admits he can’t compete at this level anymore, but enjoys staying close to the action through commentary and punditry—a role he clearly relishes.
Bigger and Bolder in 2026
The excitement doesn’t stop this year. From 2026, the tournament will move to the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace, accommodating up to 180,000 fans across three weeks.
The 128-player roster has already started action four days earlier than last year, drawing qualifiers from the rankings, CDC Tour, and Women’s Tour.
It’s clear that the World Darts Championship is growing bigger, louder, and more colorful than ever before.f
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