The World Darts Federation has announced that one of its traditional showpiece tournaments, the World Masters, will this year be staged in Las Vegas.
It is fair to say the revelation has not been greeted with universal enthusiasm. In fact, describing the reaction as a lead balloon landing in the middle of the player community might be the more accurate analogy.
Competitors who have long supported the event now find themselves confronted with the prospect of dramatically increased travel expenditure should they wish to take part. Since the tournament’s inception in 1974 under the BDO banner, the World Masters has been intrinsically associated with England, forming a cornerstone of the traditional darting calendar.
Only in recent years has the venue begun to migrate. In 2022 the event briefly relocated to the Netherlands before the Hungarian capital of Budapest played host for the last two editions. Now, in a move that has been described by some observers as both ambitious and adventurous, the tournament will cross the Atlantic for the first time in its half century existence.
The timing of the announcement has also drawn a measure of scrutiny. July is now only a matter of months away, meaning players must rapidly begin contemplating flights, accommodation and travel logistics.
Adding further complexity is the presence of a major global football tournament taking place across the United States during the same period, something unlikely to exert downward pressure on airline or hotel prices.
Among those expressing reservations was a familiar name from the BDO and WDF landscape, Ross Montgomery. Responding publicly to the federation’s announcement, the Scotsman offered a candid assessment.
“Well that’s that then, all about money IMO, not a good decision as prices for flights etc will be through the roof but as I said not about the players.”
In theory, of course, the idea of a prestigious darts tournament unfolding beneath the neon glow of the famous Las Vegas Strip carries an undeniable sense of spectacle. Such a move certainly projects the sport onto a broader international stage and aligns with the frequently discussed ambition of expanding darts’ global footprint.
However, the practical reality for many competitors is somewhat more prosaic. Unlike their PDC counterparts, the majority of WDF players remain amateurs and are rarely cushioned by substantial financial backing. For many, participation involves careful budgeting and personal expense.
With the majority now required to traverse the Atlantic Ocean and then cross the considerable breadth of the United States before even arriving in Nevada, the financial calculus inevitably becomes more challenging.
That calculation does not even account for the well documented costs associated with accommodation in Las Vegas, a destination not renowned for its affordability. Consequently, only those who progress to the latter stages of the tournament may realistically offset such expenses through prize money.
Whether the controversy will dissipate or intensify remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the World Masters will, for the very first time in its fifty-year history, take place beyond European shores.
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Images: WDF
