“At Ally Pally people want a night out... In Blackpool, they're there to watch darts" – Emma Paton sees clear crowd difference in darts two biggest events

According to Sky Sports Darts presenter Emma Paton, the World Matchplay in Blackpool holds a special place within the darts world. While major events like the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace and the Premier League Darts also attract many attendees who are mainly after a night out, Blackpool brings together the true aficionados of the sport. The atmosphere in the Winter Gardens therefore makes the tournament one of her absolute favorites every year.

In an interview with Leasing Options, Paton spoke at length about her experiences with the World Matchplay. The presenter is impressed by the passion the supporters in Blackpool show. She believes the difference from other major darts events is immediately noticeable as soon as you get near the arena.

“Yeah, I feel like it is always [great]. I feel like it's proper darts fans,” Paton says. “With the Ally Pally and Premier League, they're at these big venues where you've got people just kind of really wanting a night out. In Blackpool, they're there to watch darts."

According to the Sky Sports presenter, that difference creates a unique ambiance. Paton says supporters wait early at the entrance of the Winter Gardens to see players arrive. Some try to chat with their favorite players or hope for a photo and autograph. That interaction between players and fans, she says, greatly contributes to the event’s charm. “I feel like with Blackpool it's proper darts fans who are kind of queuing up by the door, trying to get a glimpse of players and trying to chat to people,” she explains. “It's always one of my standout weeks of the year, or standout nine days.”

Paton is therefore among the tournament’s great admirers. Outside of the Worlds at Alexandra Palace, the World Matchplay is even her favorite event on the calendar. The sport’s growing popularity has not had a negative impact on that, she says. On the contrary, every year the interest only seems to grow.

“So it's one of my favourite tournaments. I think, probably outside the Worlds, it probably is my favourite tournament,” Paton says. “Year on year, the interest in darts seems to be growing. Blackpool is a real hub of proper, true darts fans.”

The most recent edition once again confirmed the event’s enormous pull. Luke Littler managed to capture the title at the Winter Gardens for the second year running. With that, the young Englishman added another major trophy to his already impressive résumé and underlined his status as the current world number one in darts.

Yet, according to Paton, the World Matchplay is about more than just the achievements of the absolute elite. It is the supporters who make the event so special. The historic Winter Gardens, the closeness between players and crowd, and the immense passion in the stands create an atmosphere that she believes is hard to match.

Next year, the World Matchplay will return to Blackpool once again. The Winter Gardens will once more provide the stage for nine days of top-level darts. And if it’s up to Paton, the tournament will keep what she believes makes it so special above all: an event where the true darts fan feels completely at home.