Are we close to seeing major PDC tournaments staged in Saudi Arabia? Is the time edging nearer to watching the elite stars of our game perform there? Judging by Barry Hearn’s recent cryptic comments, it certainly looks like it.
Of course, one enormous hurdle immediately comes into play – alcohol. In the UK, darts and lager are practically conjoined twins. A pint is as much a part of the experience as a 180, whether it’s office workers at Ally Pally downing Jägerbombs or Brian from accounts dressing as a traffic cone. But in Saudi Arabia, alcohol is strictly prohibited. And we’re not talking about a stern word and a confiscated drink – it’s illegal.
So, if a major darts event lands in Riyadh, don’t expect the usual army of drunken bananas, cowboys and superheroes from Britain and Europe staggering around. That sort of chaos is part of the spectacle in the UK, but it simply won’t happen in Saudi.
Does that ruin the vibe? Perhaps for the fun-loving crowd. Men, who after five pints think they’re as tough as Tyson Fury – or ladies believing they can sing like Whitney Houston following a few glasses of Pinot. But it’s worth remembering that Saudi has already hosted world-class boxing events – and fight fans aren’t shy of a pint or two either. Yet in Riyadh, the atmosphere worked. Boxing crowds are more purist than party – they turn up for the contest, not to sing “Sweet Caroline” until their lungs collapse.
Which brings us to the players themselves. Let’s be honest – the idea that darts professionals don’t drink is about as believable as convincing a university graduate that Father Christmas is real. Sky cameras might pan to a player tables showing genuine bottles of water, but very few are naïve enough to believe players don’t partake before matches or even during TV breaks.
If you put it to a vote, a vast majority of the 128 tour card holders would probably balk at the thought of competing in a dry environment. Many have convinced themselves they need a few drinks just to compete at their best. But then again, if the prize money is eye-watering enough, most would happily ditch the pints for a shot at life-changing riches. A million-dollar finish tends to taste sweeter than lager anyway.
And make no mistake – the locals will fill the arenas. They’re used to not requiring a banana suit and skinful to enjoy their darts. They’ll come for the spectacle.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Love the Darts podcast, PDC chairman and Matchroom Sport founder Barry Hearn addressed the subject head-on:
“We are not going to be restricted. Obviously, we want to make sure it is credible. But we are not going to be tied up with ‘oh, we cannot do that.’ We will look at everything, and it will all be money orientated. The one thing about Turki Al-Sheikh, His Excellency, is he does not walk away.”
Hearn isn’t exaggerating. Turki Al-Sheikh – the Saudi powerbroker with political clout and a wallet big enough to bail out small nations – has already left his mark across global sport. Take Riyadh’s snooker event in March 2024, where he introduced the infamous “Golden Ball.” Worth an extra 20 points, it created the possibility of a 167 maximum break with a $1 million bonus attached. Traditionalists howled, players rubbed their eyes, and suddenly snooker was back in the headlines.
Even Hearn admits he wasn’t sure:
“You know, with the purists out there, I almost put myself among them when I heard about the golden ball from Turki Al-Sheikh. I thought, oh no, don’t start messing with it. But it’s had more publicity than the rest of the tournament put together. He’s a smart man – and sometimes we get restricted by the lack of our own imagination.”
Respecting the host nation is non-negotiable, though. As Hearn put it:
“If you can’t drink in a country, we must respect their traditions and laws – we don’t drink. Or we don’t go. If you don’t want to go, don’t go. But watch this space – very soon you will hear something about Saudi that will make you go, ‘oh my god, where is this journey going to end?’ The beautiful answer is I have no idea, but I know it’s got a long journey ahead of it.”
For a man who’s watched darts evolve from smoky pubs to sold-out arenas, Hearn sounded almost giddy about the possibilities. The Saudis don’t do things by halves. They’ve already secured heavyweight boxing, Formula One, WWE – darts could be next. And if Al-Sheikh wants to add a golden bullseye worth a million dollars, who’s going to stop him?
“It’s an adventure, and nobody knows exactly where it will end,” Hearn admitted. “What I do know is that the journey will be a long one.”
And don’t expect just the usual walk-ons and 180 celebrations either. Hearn hinted:
“You can bet your bottom dollar if and when we do something in Saudi there will be a few twists on it,” he said. “I have no idea what he is going to say. But I do know what I am going to say – yes, thank you. He’s a crazy guy.”
Crazy, yes – but effective. Across sport, Saudi Arabia’s influence is undeniable. Golf fractured, snooker innovated, boxing banked record purses – and darts might be next in line. Imagine Michael van Gerwen aiming for a million-dollar finish, or Peter Wright asked to dye his hair gold to match the trophy. The purists will faint, the players will cash in, and the fans will watch. As Hearn himself put it:
“Sometimes we get restricted by the lack of our own imagination.”
Saudi Arabia doesn’t have that problem. With Al-Sheikh pulling the strings, it’s not a matter of if darts arrives there, but just how spectacularly.
“The best part,” Hearn concluded, “is that I don’t know where this adventure will end. But there’s no doubt it’s going to be a long and thrilling ride.”
So buckle up – Saudi darts may be coming soon, and if history is anything to go by, it’ll be loud, brash, and utterly unforgettable. Just with many more clear heads in the morning.
—–ENDS—–
Images: Grok (AI)
