While the Premier League continues to draw packed crowds across Europe, some of the PDC’s most significant work is taking place far beyond traditional darts strongholds.
From Saudi Arabia to the United States, the organisation is actively pursuing opportunities that could shape the future of the sport for years to come.
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Earlier this year, darts broke new ground with the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, marking another important step in the game’s international expansion. While the event attracted attention due to Saudi Arabia’s growing influence within global sport, PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter believes the country’s ambitions extend beyond simply hosting major events.
“The Saudis invest in sport and often they invest because they want to see local development,” Porter explained. “They want to see young people participating in different sports.”
Porter (talking with Oche180) pointed to the investment in sporting infrastructure and development programmes as evidence that Saudi Arabia is focused on encouraging participation at grassroots level as well as staging elite competition.
“I think that’s a positive,” Porter said.
Despite recent reports of changes to some Saudi-backed sporting investments, Porter expects the relationship with darts to continue.
“We’re expecting to go back there in January. And I’m sure the event will be well received again.”
Speculation has occasionally surfaced regarding whether Saudi Arabia could one day host a major televised darts tournament, but Porter was quick to dismiss such suggestions.
“No, that’s not something we’ve ever discussed. That’s people surmising rather than anything that’s actually been considered.”
While Saudi Arabia represents one avenue of growth, Porter admits the United States remains perhaps the biggest long-term opportunity available to the sport.
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Despite darts being played recreationally across America, the game has yet to establish itself as a recognised professional sport in the same way it has throughout Europe.
“We want to improve the status of darts in America. The game is played all across the country, coast to coast, but it’s not really perceived as a professional sport there.” Porter explained.
The PDC’s ambitions stretch far beyond staging occasional events. Porter outlined a strategy focused on increasing broadcast exposure, attracting commercial partners and building a larger fanbase.
“We want a wider television audience. We want sponsors to become involved, we want fans buying tickets and engaging with events. Ultimately, we want to create an American darts superstar.”
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Porter believes a homegrown star could transform the sport’s profile across the country and accelerate its growth significantly. Nevertheless, he acknowledges the challenge facing the PDC. America’s size and complexity make it unlike any other market the organisation has entered.
“The market is huge,” he said. “And it’s dangerous to think of America as one market because it really isn’t.”
Breaking into the American sporting landscape presents further difficulties.
“It’s a mature sports market,” Porter explained. “It’s very hard for any new sport to enter the mainstream, particularly when it hasn’t historically had a professional foundation there.”
Despite those obstacles, he remains optimistic. The PDC has successfully expanded into new territories before and believes the same patient approach can work again.
“We’ve travelled these roads before in other countries. They might just be slightly longer roads in America.”
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For the PDC, the message is clear. The future of darts will not be built solely in London, Blackpool or Wolverhampton. Its next major chapter could emerge from entirely new corners of the sporting world.
Images: PDC/Matchroom
