In the sports world, alcohol is often taboo, but darts is by nature a pub sport, so the association with alcohol is never far away.
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Yet Matt Porter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PDC does not see that as a problem. "We don't feel we have to control it. Simply because it's not something we have no control over," Porter told German news agency DPA.
"In the darts world today, you won't find any top-level players who benefit from alcohol. Other players who used to play darts are not significant. It has nothing to do with today's sport. But even today darts still has to do with the cliché of a pub sport where men with big beer bellies throw at a board."
Code of Conduct
Porter also points out the potential consequences. "If you were drunk doing your job, your bosses would punish you. Our players have to abide by a certain code of conduct. If they violate it in any way, they will be punished. If someone is not fit for his match, he risks a severe punishment."
"The players have to play there on stage, under high pressure and for a long time. They have to show an extremely high level of concentration. Now anyone can wonder how they would do that under the influence of alcohol. You wouldn't be able to play at your best level," Porter concludes.
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.