Has Matchroom Sport Created the Next Generation of Dart Fans

When we talk about pub sports, two games come to mind. Pool, which has become an international spectacle, with snooker, billiard, and 8-ball pool competitions growing a huge fan base. And darts, which may not be as popular as pool, but is slowly getting there. Professional darts tournaments are getting a lot of traction recently. New fans from all over Europe and the United Kingdom are tuning in to the latest competitions. So, many have been asking, why is darts growing in popularity? We suspect Matchroom Sports have had quite a hand in the growing fame of the sport. 

In 1982, Barry Hearn founded the Matchroom company. The purpose was snooker management, and indeed they collaborated with some of the greatest players of the time – Jimmy White, Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, etc. During the early years, the company’s success led to them organizing two major non-ranking tournaments: The Matchroom Professional Championship and the Matchroom League. 

Since those days, however, the company has expanded the number of sports they cover. They now promote bowling, golf, fishing, table tennis, and even poker. With the growth of the iGaming industry, poker is sort of coming back into style. And thanks to online gambling websites, you don’t even need to go to the casino anymore, as the action is now portable, with a prime example being MrCasinova’s page, with the best online casino offers available in the palm of your hand. 

However, in recent years, the Matchroom team has been dedicated to one thing. Pushing forward the cause of darts. The company has been promoting all of the latest darts competitions, national and international. The goal seems to be to bring darts to the next generation. And for the most part, the plan seems to be working. 

What was once a sport played in small halls, with only a couple of dozen visitors, has become a global phenomenon. Played in massive halls, the players now walk on stage with musical accompaniment and the cheers of hundreds, if not thousands of spectators. And even more are watching from home. Reputable sports media magazines, websites, and TV programs are covering the sport. And of course, some players – Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Michael Smith - have even become household names. 

So, apart from Matchroom’s promotional activity, what other factors have led to darts becoming so much more popular recently? 

For one thing, all sports have grown in popularity recently. Football has passed the 3 billion fans threshold. Cricket is watched by 2.5 billion fans from all over the world. Basketball, tennis, hockey, and golf all have a fandom numbering in the billion. So, it is no surprise that sports that were once lesser-known are now gaining a lot more traction.

The betting industry has a lot to do with it as well. Bookmakers are not afraid to delve into the less popular sports, and set up some odds. People notice these odds, and become interested. What’s more, in 2023, sports betting websites are the main venue for most punters. Meaning all one needs to do is open up their laptop, fire up their PC, or even just look at their phone to place a bet. The convenience has certainly contributed to the growing of the industry, and by extension popularizing certain lesser-known sports. 

Lastly, darts is a lot of fun. There is a reason why every pub has at least one dart board. The game is fun, simple to understand, and easy to play, at least on an amateur level. Of course, professional athletes must spend a lot of time training and honing their skill, just like pros in any sport. 

So, Matchroom Sports has certainly played a hand in creating the next generation of darts fans. However, it is very likely that the game would have eventually garnered the popularity it now has, simply because of how entertaining a darts match can be. In 2023, darts tournaments have become a spectacle, and any fan of sports should check out at least one game, preferably live.