An award bestowed upon a figure whose name is synonymous with the very fabric of the sport – Dennis Priestley. A true pioneer and enduring icon, The Menace’s influence stretches across generations, embodying everything that is admired and respected within the darting world.
Though it has been many years since the Yorkshireman last graced the oche in a competitive capacity, his legacy remains as powerful and relevant as ever.
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A former World Champion and multiple major winner, Priestley was not just a competitor, but a trailblazer who helped shape the professional era of darts as we know it today. His presence during the formative years of the PDC brought credibility, quality, and a level of excellence that elevated the sport’s global standing.
Beyond his achievements in competition, this legends personal journey adds an even deeper layer to his story. Having battled and overcome cancer, he exemplifies resilience not only as an athlete but as an individual. His willingness to share that journey has inspired countless others, further extending his impact beyond the sport itself.
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To attempt a full catalogue of his accomplishments would be an extensive undertaking, filled with titles, milestones, and defining moments. Yet perhaps the true measure of his contribution lies not in statistics, but in influence. Dennis Priestley did not simply play darts – he helped define it!
Introducing The DartsWorld Awards 2025/26
DartsWorld has a half century worth of championing darts, its players, its achievements, and its progress across the globe. For a chunk of that time we have considered some slightly more formal acknowledgments in the vein of some annual awards.
In the end, talking about a project on the sidelines can go on forever without ever progressing unless an initial effort is made there is nothing to hone into a truly useful and celebratory tradition.
Our inaugural awards showcase nine awards that cover a wide spectrum of darting endeavours from the 2025/26 season that ended with the crowning of a new World Champion in January.
From the professional to the amateur, and from elite performance to charitable efforts we try to live up to our name.
In making our selection we do not lay claim to an open and democratic process, at least for the first outing. Instead we have asked those directly connected with DartsWorld. Players, writers, analysts and business leaders have chipped in nominations, award categories and eventual winners.
There are a few self imposed rules, but, somewhat like the pirates code, they are more a set of guidelines. The most important to explain any apparent outrage is that no player will get more than one award each year.
We hope to develop the DW awards over time, they will be released earlier in each new year and may be part of an occasion, event or special issue – in the meantime we hope you enjoy the DartsWorld Awards 2025/26.
Watch closely on social media channels and here at the mothership dartsworld.com for the unveiling of the 9 inaugural winners . If you can’t wait then simply grab yourself a copy of February’s DARTSWORLD 593 and enjoy!
Checkout the new dedicated area for DartsWorld Awards were each years awards and their supporters will be detailed, summarised and stored.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC / Winmau
