Darts has become one of the biggest indoor games in the world. Millions of fans around the world pack tournaments, pubs or watch from their television at home to watch this juggernaut of a sport.  From humble beginnings in English pubs to international destinations packed with rabid fans, darts tournaments have evolved into must watch events on the sporting calendar. In this article, we’ll explore the top five darts tournaments that showcase the best players and the highest stakes in the world of darts.

Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship

The granddaddy of them all! The PDC World Darts Championship is widely regarded as the pinnacle of professional darts, attracting the best players from around the globe to compete for the prestigious title. Held annually since 1994, the tournament takes place at Alexandra Palace in London, England, and features a format of straight knockout matches leading to the final. With its electric atmosphere, raucous crowds, and high-stakes competition, the PDC World Darts Championship is a must-watch event for darts enthusiasts worldwide.

UK Open

This PDC event is unusual in that it is one of the only tournaments where players of all capabilities (amateur and professional) are eligible to play, a rule that has some referring to this tournament as the FA Cup of Darts. The amateur and lower ranked players play through the earlier rounds where the top 32 PDC ranked players enter the fray from the 4th round. 

This is always a popular tournament and attracts all top amateur and professionals, fighting for the prestige and prize money of £600,000. Previous winners include Phil Taylor. Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright. 

Premier League Darts

The Premier League Darts is a unique and thrilling tournament that brings together the best players from the PDC circuit to compete in a round-robin format over several months. Established in 2005, the Premier League Darts features weekly matches held at various venues across the United Kingdom and Europe, culminating in a grand finale. With its fast-paced action, high-profile matchups, and passionate crowds, the Premier League Darts is a favorite among fans and players alike.

It’s no surprise to see Phil Taylor heading the total Premier League Darts tournament wins with 6.

World Series of Darts (WSOD)

The World Series of Darts is an international tournament series that showcases the global reach and popularity of the sport. Established in 2013, the WSOD features events held in cities around the world, including Las Vegas, Shanghai, and Melbourne. The tournament format varies from event to event, with some featuring knockout rounds and others featuring round-robin play. With its diverse field of players and exciting venues, the World Series of Darts offers fans a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of darts on a global stage.

The great Dutch darts player, Michael van Gerwen leads the honour roll with 20 World Series of Darts wins. 

Grand Slam of Darts

The Grand Slam of Darts is a unique tournament that previously brought together players from both the PDC and BDO circuits (before the BDO collapsed into liquidation in 2020) to compete in a cross-code format. Established in 2007, the Grand Slam of Darts features a group stage followed by knockout rounds, with players competing for a share of the prize money and the prestigious title. Held at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in England, the tournament provides fans with the opportunity to see top players from both organizations face off in thrilling matches.

Once again the great Phil “The Power” Taylor leads all players with 6 victories of this tournament with other winners including Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Raymond van Barneveld. 

Darts tournaments offer fans some of the most exhilarating blend of skill and drama, making them some of the most exciting events in the world of sports. From the open to all comers UK Open to the high-stakes (and must watch) action of the PDC World Darts Championship, these 5 tournaments showcase the best players and the fiercest competition in the sport. 

Whether you’re a seasoned darts aficionado or a casual fan, attending one of these top five darts tournaments is sure to be an unforgettable experience. So mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and get ready to witness the fireworks!

The biggest darts tournament in the world is throwing up an amazing and unlikely story. One where a 16 year old novice is playing the tournament of his life and is 3 wins from one of the most amazing wins in sports history!

The young giant killer is Luke Littler and he has one through to the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship quarter finals up against Brendan Dolan. It’s not just the victories, it’s the quality of darts that Luke is playing, averaging 105 in his recent victory over Raymond Van Barneveld. 

What started off as a cute story has now got the makings of a Hollywood movie, particularly after Luke dispatching Van Barneveld 4 sets to 1 to book his quarter final spot against Dolan. So who is Luke Littler and can he actually win the World Darts Championship?

Who is Luke Littler?

Luke “The Nuke” Littler is a 16 year old darts wunderkind who has blazed onto the PDC Darts World Championship like a comet. A relative unknown (outside of hardcore darts fans) before this tournament, Littler is a name on the lips of most darts fans, with many asking if he can go all the way. 

Darts has always been in Littler’s blood, throwing his first darts at 18 months and joining a darts academy at 8. After several junior tournament wins, Littler won his first senior darts tournament, the 2021 Irish Open. Luke “The Nuke” then played several WDF tournaments in 2022 and won the 2022 Welsh Open as well as other smaller tournaments such as the Romanian Open and the World Youth Masters. 

The man child who doesn’t appear overawed playing on darts biggest stage has the darts world at his feet. The sky really is the limit with this budding young star, particularly if he can avoid the pitfalls that can affect young sports star who taste the limelight early in their career. 

The spotlight gets hotter, Luke keeps rising to the challenge, but can he win it all?

What darts does Luke Littler use?

Luke is sponsored by Target Darts and uses the Target K Flex moulded flights. Littler also has his own darts range, the Luke ‘The Nuke’  Littler Generation 1 Tungsten darts. Other 2024 PDC World Darts Championship quarter finalists who also use Target Darts include Rob Cross, Chris Dobey and Scott Williams.

Can Luke Littler win the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship?

Why not? Chances are one of the darts big guns in past champs Michael van Gerwen or Rob Cross will prevail but sometimes in sports miracles do happen and why can’t 2024 deliver us another epic?

Winning the quarter final against Dolan would lead to a Cross or Dobey semi final and if he wins that, would it be too much in asking for a Littler and van Gerwen dream final?

The culmination of the darts calendar is the PDC World Darts Championship run from December to January each year at the home of big darts Alexandra Palace (or Aly Paly to the fans). The honor roll is a who’s who of modern dart greats led by 14 time PDC World Darts champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. An amazing Phil Taylor PDC World Darts Championship stat is not only did he win 8 PDC World Darts Championship finals in a row, he appeared in the first 14 finals (and 16 of the first 17)!  

The competition for this blue ribbon event has gotten even more difficult. The field is made up of 96 players, the make up of this field being the top 32 ranked on the PDC Order of Merit (being seeded to the 2nd round) then the 32 highest ranked players from the years PDC Pro Tour and the final 32 players coming from qualifiers throughout the year.   

With that let’s go through the recent PDC World Darts Championship results starting with the PDC 2017 World Darts Championship. 

PDC World Darts Championship 2017 results

The 2017 PDC World Darts Championship was the 24th PDC World Darts Championship culminating in the final between Michael Van Gerwen and Gary Anderson. Michael Van Gerwen won the final in a relatively dominant performance winning his 2nd PDC World Darts Championship 7-3. 

This final was the first final since 2009 where the top 2 seeds played off in the final and also the semi-finals were also the first ever to feature no Englishmen. 

Van Gerwen also broke the record for the highest 3 dart average in a match, with 114.05 during his semi-final win over Van Barneveld. 

Tournament Dates: 15th December 2016 to 2nd January 2017

The winner: Michael Van Gerwen (2nd title)

The final: Michael Van Gerwen defeated Gary Anderson 7-3

The semi finals: Michael Van Gerwen defeated Raymond Van Barneveld, Gary Anderson defeated Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright

Top Seed: Michael Van Gerwen

9 dart finishes: None

Highest Checkout: 170, Michael Van Gerwen and Simon Whitlock

Highest Tournament Average: 106.32, Michael Van Gerwen 

Total Prize Money: £1,650,000

Tournament Sponsor: William Hill

PDC World Darts Championship 2018 results

The 2018 PDC World Darts Championship was the 25th PDC World Darts Championship culminating in the final between Rob Cross and Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. Rob Cross won the final in a relatively anti-climatic fashion winning his 1st PDC World Darts Championship 7-2. 

Before the tournament Taylor announced that this would be his 28th and final World Darts Championship (25 with PDC, 3 with BDO) then embarking on an amazing run to the final (his 21st over his career). 

‘The Power’ nearly pulled off an amazing PDC World Darts Championship fairytale swansong storming to the final however Rob Cross pulled off his own fairytale with Cross ending up in exalted company winning his first PDC World Championship at his first try!

Tournament Dates: 14th December 2017 to 1st January 2018

The winner: Rob Cross (1st title)

The final: Rob Cross defeated Phil Taylor 7-2

The semi finals: Rob Cross defeated Michael Van Gerwen and Phil Taylor defeated Jamie Lewis

Top Seed: Michael Van Gerwen

9 dart finishes: None

Highest Checkout: 170, Michael Van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, Daryl Gurney, Jamie Lewis, Jeff Smith and Steve West 

Highest Tournament Average: 104.05, Michael Van Gerwen 

Total Prize Money: £1,800,000

Tournament Sponsor: William Hill

PDC World Darts Championship 2019 results

The 2019 PDC World Darts Championship was the 26th PDC World Darts Championship culminating in the final between Michael Van Gerwen and Michael Smith. Michael Van Gerwen won the final in a relatively easy effort, winning his 3rd PDC World Darts Championship 7-3 (the same score as his 2017 win). 

As mentioned above this was the first PDC World Darts Championship not to feature the great Phil Taylor. Van Gerwen’s victory took him to 2nd on the leaderboard for most PDC World Darts Championship wins behind Phil Taylor’s 14 wins. 

The 2019 PDC World Darts Championship also saw the field expanded from 72 players to 96 and also had the PDC World Darts Championships first women players in the field.

Tournament Dates: 13th December 2018 to 1st January 2019

The winner: Michael Van Gerwen (3rd title)

The final: Michael Van Gerwen defeated Michael Smith

The semi finals: Michael Van Gerwen defeated Gary Anderson, Michael Smith defeated Gary Anderson defeated Nathan Aspinall

Top Seed: Michael Van Gerwen

9 dart finishes: None

Highest Checkout: 170, Michael Van Gerwen, Brendan Dolan and Luke Humphries

Highest Tournament Average: 108.80, Michael Van Gerwen 

Total Prize Money: £2,500,000

Tournament Sponsor: William Hill

PDC World Darts Championship 2020 results

The 2020 PDC World Darts Championship was the 27th PDC World Darts Championship culminating in the final between Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright and Michael Van Gerwen. Wright won his first PDC World Darts Championship relatively cruising to his first win with a score of 7-3. 

Fallon Sherrock also created a big buzz in darts by becoming the first female to win a PDC World Championship match, defeating both Ted Evetts (3-2 in round one) and Mensur Suljovic (3-1 in round two).

Tournament Dates: 13th December 2019 to 1st January 2020

The winner: Peter Wright (1st title)

The final: Peter Wright defeated Michael Van Gerwen

The semi finals: Peter Wright defeated Gerwyn Price, Michael Van Gerwen defeated Nathan Aspinall

Top Seed: Michael Van Gerwen

9 dart finishes: None

Highest Checkout: 170, Gary Anderson, Steve Beaton, Glen Durrant, Ricky Evans, Ben Robb, Michael Van Gerwen and Peter Wright

Highest Tournament Average: 100.33, Mervyn King 

Total Prize Money: £2,500,000

Tournament Sponsor: William Hill

PDC World Darts Championship 2021 results

The 2021 PDC World Darts Championship was the 28th PDC World Darts Championship culminating in the final between Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson. This was also the first final that occurred after the COVID 19 pandemic with the final played behind closed doors and only watched on television. Given the pandemic many of the lead up qualification tournaments were canceled or severely impacted. 

Price won the final in a relatively dominant performance winning his 1st PDC World Darts Championship 7-3. This 7-3 scoreline was the third year in a row that the final had this result (and the 4th final in 5 years).. 

After his win, Price also took the world number one ranking in PDC World Darts from Michael Van Gerwen who had held this ranking since 2014. Price was also the first Welsh player to win the championship. 

James Wade also hit the first PDC World Darts Championship nine darter since 2016.

Tournament Dates: 15th December 2020 to 3rd January 2021

The winner: Gerwyn Price (1st title)

The final: Gerwyn Price defeated Gary Anderson

The semi finals: Gerwyn Price defeated Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson defeated Dave Chisnall

Top Seed: Michael Van Gerwen

9 dart finishes: 1, James Wade

Highest Checkout: 170, Gary Anderson, Danny Baggish, Stephen Bunting, Dave Chisnall, Gerwyn Price and Dirk van Duijvenbode (twice)

Highest Tournament Average: 103.37, Michael Van Gerwen 

Total Prize Money: £2,500,000

Tournament Sponsor: William Hill

PDC World Darts Championship 2022 results

The 2022 PDC World Darts Championship was the 29th PDC World Darts Championship culminating in the final between Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright and Michael Smith. ‘Snakebite’ won a close final, winning his 2nd PDC World Darts Championship with a 7-5 scoreline. 

This championship was also the first to feature multiple 9 dart finishes with 3 players achieving this feat. William Borland was the first to achieve this on a deciding leg. 

This tournament also saw some players having to withdraw due to contacting COVID (including past champion Michael Van Gerwen) and was also the last tournament to be sponsored by William Hill. 

Tournament Dates: 15th December 2021 to 3rd January 2022

The winner: Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright (2nd title)

The final: Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright defeated Michael Smith

The semi finals: Peter Wright defeated Gary Anderson, Michael Smith defeated James Wade

Top Seed: Gerwyn Price

9 dart finishes: 3, William Borland, Darius Labanauskas and Gerwyn Price

Highest Checkout: 170, Gary Anderson, Rob Cross, William O’Connor and Raymond van Barneveld

Highest Tournament Average: 106.32, Michael Smith

Total Prize Money: £2,500,000

Tournament Sponsor: William Hill

PDC World Darts Championship 2023 results

The 2023 PDC World Darts Championship was the 30th PDC World Darts Championship culminating in the final between Michael Smith and Michael Van Gerwen. Smith won a keenly contested final (and his first PDC World Darts Championship) in strong fashion, winning 7-4. 

Smith was also the first player to throw a 9 dart finish in a PDC World Darts Championship final (Van Gerwen nearly answered on his next throw with his own 9 darter just missing double 12 on his 9th throw). With this win Smith also took the world’s number one ranking. This was the first tournament sponsored by Cazoo and was also the first tournament to be relatively back to normal post COVID. 

Tournament Dates: 15th December 2022 to 3rd January 2023

The winner: Michael Smith (1st title)

The final: Michael Smith defeated Michael Van Gerwen

The semi finals: Michael Smith defeated Gabriel Clemens, Michael Van Gerwen defeated Dmitri Van den Bergh

Top Seed: Gerwyn Price

9 dart finishes: 1, Michael Smith

Highest Checkout: 170, Chris Dobey, Martin Schindler, Michael Smith, Dirk van Duijvenbode Dmitri Van den Bergh and Michael Van Gerwen 

Highest Tournament Average: 108.28***, Michael Van Gerwen 

Total Prize Money: £2,500,000

Tournament Sponsor: Cazoo

The 2024 PDC World Darts Championship is on from 15th December 2023 to 3rd January 2024 at the great Alexandra Palace and should be one of the best PDC World Darts Championships yet! For those who have never been to a PDC World Darts Championship before and will be in London on these dates buy a ticket and experience this spectacle in person!

For those who aren’t in London on these dates, strap yourself into your favorite chair or book a spot at your favorite pub to watch darts and get ready for some quality darts! Will we see one of the young guns rise to the top or will it be one of the older guard returning to the top to take out the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship? 

The popularity of darts has exploded in recent years with top level darts becoming more and more mainstream. Record prize money, record crowds along with record TV ratings  have boosted the popularity of darts, helping it break out of its pub based origins and have a place in the public sporting consciousness.  

From this increased darts awareness, there has been a marked increase in darts play by the casual player and a significant uptake of darts products and accessories, from the awesome to the more unusual.

There are plenty of accessories available to the darts fan however which accessories should you be spending your hard earned on to a) improve your darts game and b) improve your darts experience? 

Below we go through 5 must have darts accessories to improve your game or for your home darts sanctuary.

Darts lights

If your budget allows it and you have plenty of room to set this up, why not purchase a quality set of darts lights and set your darts man/woman cave up like it’s the center stage of the PDC world championship?

Darts lights have come a long way in recent years and there is a solution for most budgets. For those on a very small budget you can use your current light (providing there is sufficient light) or at a basic level you can purchase a cheap spot light and set it up (either temporarily or permanently) to be shining on or close to your dartboard. 

A simple clip-on spotlight can be purchased at most department stores or all lighting stores or from online stores such as Amazon. A basic spotlight with a suitable globe should set you back about £10 or $15. For those wanting to mount a dedicated light to shine on the dartboard, there are plenty of cheap options for this. 

Alternatively if you want to go to another level with your lights game, you can look to purchase a set of designated dartboard lights such as the Winmau Plasma Dartboard Light 4300 or the Unicorn Solar Flare Lighting System.These light systems are very easy to set up and all you need to do to set these up is to attach the lights to your dartboard cabinet or the wall supporting your dartboard board and they run via a power cord so all you need is a power outlet close by or an extension cord. Importantly these dartboard lights don’t leave shadows on your board.

For those interested in dartboard lights at a lower price bracket, Target Darts offer a dartboard cabinet/lights combination, the Target Darts Arc Dartboard Cabinet Lighting System which is aimed for those at a lower price point but is a quality item for the price. As with the Unicorn and Winmau options above, this is also easy to set up; you only need a powerpoint or extension cord close by. 

If you want to take your darts room lighting and dartboard set up to the ultimate level (and you have the budget), why not purchase the Winmau Pro-Zone Stage Set and hire a lighting expert to turn your darts room into something rivaling PDC center stage? By purchasing the Winmau Pro-Zone Stage Set and depending on the darts room environment, you could take a dreary board and room and turn it into a mini Aly Paly!

Video camera (or set up for the camera in your phone)

For those who have been playing darts for some time and are familiar with the basics, yet want to take your game to the next level, why not invest in a quality video camera and tripod to track all your darts throws?

Alternatively you can set up the video camera along with your darts lights set up above and create a mini amphitheater to mimic the stage of all the great darts and have your darts game broadcast on the television of your darts room for visitors to watch or to record for later viewing.  

If your house and darts room is big enough you can set up several viewing areas and make it look like a mini Aly Paly and people watching on can do so in luxury away from the action (if you have say a bar area or pool table in your darts room) and watch the action through a television linked to the video camera. 

You could also play live darts with a friend or relative in a remote location, playing each other ‘live’ with respective video cameras/tripods even though you aren’t playing on the same board in the same room. 

A recommended video camera and tripod would be the Canon EOS R7 with Vanguard Alta Pro tripod. 

You don’t have to fork out huge amounts to buy a specialist video camera if your budget is small or non-existent. You can easily set up your camera phone to film your darts exploits. If you are using the camera in your phone, there are plenty of tripods available such as the Benro Tablepod Pro Kit with Smartphone adapter tripod to help you set up your phone to capture all of your quality darts games.  

Dartboard cabinet with scoreboard and book of games

At a basic level if you have enough room on your wall at home we recommend that your board is fastened securely to the wall, preferably housed in a darts cabinet or at worst with a dartboard wall protector set up behind your dartboard to stop any dart throws going into the wall. 

Darts cabinets can be purchased from most darts stores or department stores that sell darts equipment and look for cabinets that have a chalk/non permanent eraser scoreboard inside to help you keep score. Like most products you get what you pay for and the cheaper lower quality wood cabinets are usually the cheapest but usually don’t last too long.  

Quality darts cabinets that we recommend include those from popular darts equipment leaders Unicorn and Winmau; however providers such as Target Darts offer quality dartboard cabinets at a lower price bracket. If your budget allows it, reach out to a quality woodwork craftsman to build you a high quality dartboard cabinet. 

Alternatively, if you are handy enough with woodworking, why not make your own dartboard cabinet? Invest in some quality wood and once finished it will be one of the top accessories in  your house (particularly if set up with some darts lights as recommended above). 

If you are relatively new to darts with a new dartboard and dartboard cabinet (with scoreboard), why not invest in a quality darts games book with a heap of darts games that you can play with friends and family? A recommended darts games book is 40 Easy Darts Games by Kerry Butters. 

Darts holder with spare darts, flights and darts sharpener

When focusing on the larger items such as dartboard lights or dartboard cabinets it’s easy to forget some of the smaller things like additional or back up darts sets (either for you or for friends and relatives who will be playing with you) along with a quality darts holder. 

Having a backup set for yourself is handy in the event that the stem of your main set of darts breaks or if you would prefer to have a lighter (or heavier) set of darts that you mainly use. 

Also look to have plenty of back up darts flights as it’s very easy to go through a few sets in a session. Darts flights aren’t that expensive and having quality flights for every throw will improve the quality of your darts games. 

Another accessory that you should have is a good darts sharpener. Darts can clip other darts, they can get blunted when hitting wires or if the floor that you are playing darts on is rather hard and can blunt stray darts it’s imperative that you own a quality darts sharpener and that you sharpen your darts quite regularly. 

Options for a darts sharpener could be one that is attached to your keyring such as the Harrows Pro Dart Key Ring Sharpener or a basic stone sharpener such as the Tihood Darts Sharpening Sand Stone. There’s plenty of darts options on Amazon or Darts Corner. 

Quality darts mat

A simple way to protect your floor (and darts) is to invest in a quality darts mat. Not only is your floor being protected with a quality mat, it also provides an easy way to determine the correct distance between the dart and your throwing line (or oche).

If you are looking to save money then an option is to visit a flooring store and see if they have any carpet offcuts that can be cut up into the correct distance between board and throwing line. 

If your budget does allow a purchase of a quality darts mat then some of the popular darts brand options that we recommend include the Unicorn Striker or the Winmau XTreme dart mats. For those on a smaller budget, Amazon offers some good suggestions including the Target Darts World Champions Dart Mat.

For those who have a favorite football team you may be able to purchase a darts mat (or any other darts accessory) in the colors or name of your favorite team. 

Having a quality darts set up with quality accessories doesn’t necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg, with savvy purchases (and maybe some good woodworking and lighting skills) you can turn your darts set up into something very professional. 

This setup can be something decent to improve your darts or you can turn into the stage of your favorite darts tournament and have your darts room or man cave the talk of the neighborhood. Not only will you have plenty of friends, your game of darts should improve out of sight. 

Given the increasing popularity of the game of darts it would make sense that some of the larger retail chains would expand into selling a good range of darts and darts equipment. Argos is one of those large chain department stores that fits this bill. 

Along with Sports Direct, Argos are one of the big retail shopping chains that sell sports products in the United Kingdom. While Sports Direct only sells sports products, Argos also has a wide range of homewares, electronics and outdoor equipment on top of sports products. 

While Argos have a large range for football (soccer) products, running and other popular sports, they also have a decent range of darts and darts accessories. Below we go through a list of Argos darts and Argos darts accessories that they sell either online or in store.

Who is Argos?

Argos was founded in 1972 by experienced retailer Richard Thomkins (of Green Shield Stamp) with the first Argos store opening in Canterbury in 1973. They quickly rose to the top of the UK department store market and now have over hundreds of stores across the UK. 

Argos have a large range of items in their stores and (obviously) a bigger range via their online store. They sell items such as furniture, clothes, technology and health and beauty products on top of their large range of sporting equipment. 

Regarding sports equipment their main retail store competitor is Sports Direct, who also have hundreds of stores across the UK. Both Argos and Sports Direct have a comprehensive range of darts and darts accessories for a retail store chain. 

Argos Darts Stores

As one of the biggest retail chains in the UK there are plenty of Argos stores (both stand alone or inside Sainsbury’s) to get your darts from. Whilst the Argos chain has been closing stores  (with many Sainsbury’s stores absorbing or having smaller Argos stores set up inside of them) there are still plenty of Argos locations across the UK where you can get your darts gear. Some of the popular Argos locations include:

Argos Manchester Darts

There are several Argos Manchester stores located at Arndale Centre, Fort Shopping Park and Manchester Piccadilly Station.  They all have darts ranges and brands such as Winmau and Unicorn and dartboard offerings from these two leading darts brands. 

Argos Liverpool Darts

Another UK city to have several Argos stores, you can find an Argos Liverpool at St Johns, Woolton and Liverpool Station. A large darts equipment range is available in these Argos Liverpool stores while some stores may have some more accessories such as a dartboard stand and dart mat.

Argos Birmingham Darts

The Argos Birmingham store is located at Union Street and is one of the larger Argo darts offerings of the chain of stores.The Argos Birmingham darts equipment on sale is suitable for any darts player.   

Argos Newcastle Darts

The Argos Newcastle store is located at Eldon Square and offers a decent range of darts supplies.  is one of the larger Argo darts offerings of the chain of stores.The Argos Newcastle darts offering ranges from the typical darts equipment through to accessories such as dartboard stands and darts mats.

Argos Bolton Darts

The Argos Bolton store was closed in 2022 however there was a decent Argos Bolton darts range of products for sale before the store closure. 

Argos Darts

Given their position in the department store pecking order the Argos darts offering is decent. Obviously the Argos darts offering on its online store is more substantial than the Argos darts retail store ranger however someone looking to get a set of well priced darts from some of the biggest brands on the market can find something suitable at an Argos store. 

The main Argos darts brands on sale include Winmau and Unicorn darts however the Argos darts range also offers limited Target darts offerings for sale. 

Whilst the benefit of Argos darts purchases can be buying darts from a convenient location as well as a competitive price (at least at a shop level), however using a specialized darts store will usually provide a more personalized darts shopping experience and a specialized darts retail store can also offer other benefits such as repairs and darts tips. 

Argos Dartboards

Argos dartboards is another popular darts item that is sold at a competitive price. The only Argos dartboards brands for sale are Winmau and Unicorn.

The smaller Argos stores won’t have the range of the dartboards that you will find with the larger stores however look online for Argos dartboards and hopefully your local store offers a click and collect option.   

For those who don’t have the room for a dartboard on their walls, some of the larger Argos stores offer dartboard stands to enable you to play the great game of darts even if you don’t have dedicated wall space for your dartboard. 

Argos Darts Accessories

We mentioned Argos dartboard stands above; however the large Argos stores also offer a wide range of darts accessories. Argos offers a nice range of darts flights, darts stems, dart mats, and dartboard cabinets just to name a few. 

As mentioned above, if your local store doesn’t stock your desired darts accessory check to see if that store offers the click and collect option to buy and pick up your Argos darts accessory. 

For a more detailed darts accessory, such as an intricate dartboard light set up such as the Unicorn Solar Flare dartboard light then you are best to visit a specialized darts store and speak to an experienced darts salesperson. 

Whilst you won’t get a massive range of darts and darts accessories at an Argos store, Argos stores do offer a suitable darts and darts accessories range. 

If you live near a specialized darts retail store and are just getting into the game of darts it’s probably best you speak to a qualified and experienced sales person who can offer advice as to the best darts and darts equipment you should buy to learn from and improve your darts game. 

Once you are more familiar with the type and style of darts that you throw best with then you can look at purchasing additional sets of darts and darts equipment from a larger retail store such as Argos. Other than that, for the quality and price on offer for their darts and darts equipment you can do worse than shopping at an Argos store. 

As we’ve discussed in previous articles, the popularity of darts in the United Kingdom is big and it’s getting bigger. Television audiences are rising year on year as is attendance (COVID excepted) to the big UK darts events such as the World Championships and the UK Open. A popular sport means more people playing the game and buying darts equipment. 

Whilst there are plenty of Argos or Sports Direct stores across the UK to get your basic darts equipment and darts accessories, if you are really serious about your darts you will be making a pilgrimage to one of the best UK darts retail stores, the types of stores that have nearly any piece of darts equipment. Ideally before you buy your darts, dartboards, dartboard stands and other accessories you want to try before you buy and these stores below allow you to do this.

Below we list some of the best darts retail stores in the United Kingdom.

St Helens Darts Shop

Location: St Helens, Merseyside UK 

Range: According to their website, over 4,500 items available online 

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4pm

About: St Helens Darts Shop is a top quality darts store that has everything for the darts enthusiast no matter what your level is. St Helens Darts Shop has been a popular darts store for over 17 years and continues to grow. 

There are 8 dartboards to practice on, there is a huge range of darts, dartboards and darts accessories of all the top brands as well as friendly staff to help with darts repairs and they will also point you in the right direction for some tips for your darts game. 

They have excellent customer service, good returns policy and is an ideal place to buy your darts and darts accessories from. Importantly they also offer a click and collect option. 

If you are anywhere near the Merseyside area, drop into St Helens Darts Shop for all your darts supplies. 

Double Top Darts Shop

Location: Wokingham, Berkshire UK 

Range: According to their website, over 3,000 items available online

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm

About: Double Top Darts Shop is a quality darts store that has a wide range of darts and accessories a darts player would want. Double Top Darts Shop has been a popular darts store in the Wokingham area for over 15 years and has a loyal customer base. . 

There are several dartboards to practice on, there is a large range of popular darts brands, dartboards and darts accessories, friendly staff who are happy to help offering advice, repairs and tips for your darts game. 

Their customer service is great, quality returns policy and Double Top Darts Shop  is an ideal place to buy your darts and darts accessories from. If you live near Berkshire or are traveling through be sure to visit Double Top Darts Shop in Wokingham. 

The Darts Shack

Location: Sileby, Leicestershire UK 

Range: Narrower range though does stock the top brands such as Winmau, Unicorn and Target

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 3pm, Saturday 9.30am to 2.30pm

About: The Darts Shack is a smaller darts store that may lack the range of products of others on this list it probably offers the more intimate service.  Catering more towards the beginners or someone looking to improve their darts game. The Darts Shack is slowly building up a loyal customer base throughout Leicestershire and surrounding areas.  

There are 3 dartboards to practice on, with quality customer service to help you find the best suited darts for you. They are big on testing and making sure you are happy with your purchase and more importantly you are getting the best darts to improve your game. 

As mentioned above The Darts Shack doesn’t have the biggest range however they stock the popular brands such as Winamu, Unicorn and Target however having the biggest range isn’t their specialty, it’s their customer service which is very good. 

Like others on this list, they have a quality returns policy and for those looking for help in getting the right darts for you, we can’t recommend The Darts Shack highly enough.  If you live near Leicestershire and want to improve your darts, visit the guys at The Darts Shack in Sileby.

Bully Darts

Location: Runcorn, Cheshire UK 

Range: Thousands of items available via their online store

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm

About: According to their website, Bully Darts is the UK’s fastest growing online darts supplier. They also have a nice darts store in Runcorn. While their Runcorn retail store doesn’t stock anywhere near the range of their online store, Bully Darts in Runcorn is well worth a visit. 

There is room to test out darts you are looking to buy, Bully Darts offer really good customers wanting you to get the best suited darts for you. They also have the longest opening hours of all stores on this list. 

As mentioned above the Bully Darts Runcorn store doesn’t have the range compared to its online store however they stock the popular brands such as Target, Unicorn and Winamu and also offer a click and collect option. 

Their returns policy is similar to others on this list and anyone getting started with darts or looking to improve their game should visit Bully Darts in Runcorn, Cheshire. 

Dartspower.co.uk

Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire UK 

Range: Thousands of items available via their online store (and plenty of options in store)

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm

About: Last but not least, we come to Dartspower.co.uk. Don’t let the name fool you, yes they have a significant online presence, they also have one of the largest darts retail stores on this list. 

The Dartspower.co.uk shop is a top quality darts store that has everything for any level of darts player. Dartspower.co.uk has been around for over 15 years and remains a very popular darts store.  

There is plenty of room to test out the darts you are looking to buy, there are wall to wall darts, flights, stems, darts accessories and anything you can think of for darts. There is also a cabinet in the center of the store with some high quality offerings from brands such as Unicorn. 

Dartspower.co.uk offers a similar returns policy to others on this list and for sheer product offering (no matter what level your darts play is at) in a retail store you have to visit the Dartspower.co.uk store in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. 

While purchasing your darts and darts accessories online is usually cheaper and easier, there is a good reason to visit your local darts retail store to purchase your next set of darts or for any of your darts accessories. 

Visiting a qualified darts sales professional will help your game immensely. You will be able to try out your darts before you purchase them to get a feel of what darts work best for you, you will also get some great pointers and likely will be recommended quality equipment that will last you a while. You can also test out various darts accessories to add to your darts area at home. 

You will also get access to newly released darts products that you can try before you buy rather than taking a punt on something that you may not use long term and then having the hassle to return these products in the post. 

Look for word of mouth recommendations for a good retail darts store and check their reviews, however we think all darts players should have a local darts retail store they can visit from time to time and who will help put your darts game on an upward trajectory.  

We’ve discussed dartboard stands in our ultimate dartboard stand guide as well as here and here, however in this article we will be going through the best places to buy a dartboard stand worldwide. 

There are many options to purchase a dartboard stand, both in person and online. If you are new to darts or don’t have a lot of experience with darts equipment we recommend that you visit a local darts retail store (if there is one nearby). By visiting in person you’ll get access to salespeople who have the experience to help you make an educated buying decision not just for your dartboard stand but also for your darts and darts accessories. 

Plus being in person means you get to test products to see if they will suit. 

If a retail store visit isn’t in the cards then you have the benefit of visiting an online store or manufacturer. Whilst you don’t get the benefit of trying your equipment when shopping online (in most occasions) you usually get a cheaper price and with in-depth reviews these are usually the preference of most shoppers. 

Whether it’s retail  darts in person or retail darts online we go through several places to buy dartboard stands around the world both online and in person. 

Dartboard stands United Kingdom

As the birthplace of darts, the UK is home to some of the biggest retail and online darts stores. 

For those looking to get a dartboard stand at the low end of the market, you can look to purchase an Argos dartboard stand or a Sports Direct dartboard stand. In most cases these dartboard stands are decent quality manufacturers (i.e Unicorn ) and can be found at a competitive price. Sports Direct and Argos also have a significant retail footprint so it’s not too difficult to visit a store and test out dartboard stands.  

Alternatively both stores also offer online shopping and you can subscribe to the Argos or Sports Direct newsletter. You may come across a dartboard stand on sale which will help those on a budget. 

Alternatively if you have a bigger budget or are looking for a better quality dartboard stand (or with more accessories) then you can look to a darts specific provider such as Darts Warehouse or Darts Corner. Some of these bigger providers from time to time offer a special on dartboard, darts, dartboard stand or cabinet and other accessories so keep your eyes and ears out if these become available. As per the Argos and Sports Direct option above you might want to subscribe to one of these larger darts provider newsletter to get darts specials sent to your inbox.

The other option when looking to purchase a dartboard stand in the UK (and if you have a preference for the certain quality manufacturer such as Unicorn) is to purchase a dartboard stand directly from their website. 

Unicorn dartboard stands and Winmau dartboard stands are usually seen as the market leaders as they are with their respective dartboards and darts accessories. 

Dartboard stands USA

Whilst there aren’t as many dedicated darts retail stores in the USA there are plenty of sports retail stores that do offer a darts range such as Dicks Sporting Goods or Walmart. 

Whilst the range of darts equipment from these big stores can vary from store to store you might get lucky and find a suitable dartboard stand.

Alternatively these stores have an online retail presence so they may have dartboard stands however we recommend you shop around as it’s likely a dedicated online marketplace such as Amazon. 

Speaking of Amazon, the biggest online darts store in the USA is Amazon and they have a massive range of dartboard stands. 

If you are looking for a dedicated online darts store then try Darts.com in Oregon, Darts and Things in California, Dart Brokers in Illinois, Darting Around in Ohio, Dart World in Massachusetts, Long Island Darts in New York or Dave’s Dart Store in Florida. 

You can also purchase a manufacturer’s dartboard stand (such as Unicorn) directly from their website though check the postage (it may be cheaper to visit an online darts store rather than the manufacturer directly).

Dartboard Stands Australia

Australia is another darts hotbed and a very popular pastime. Whilst Australia doesn’t have as big a retail darts footprint as the UK or USA there are several darts retail stores in most cities in Australia. 

Retail sports stores such as Rebel Sports offer a decent darts range and you may be able to find a dartboard stand in one of their stores. Alternatively they also offer an online store however you’re likely to get a better selection (and better price) from a dedicated online darts store. 

Some of the bigger online Australian darts websites including Avid Darts or Darts Online have a decent offering of dartboard stands. 

As with all countries on this list, you can also purchase a manufacturer’s dartboard stand (such as Unicorn) directly from their website.

Dartboard Stands Canada

Darts has a small but fervent following in Canada and with this there is also a small amount of retail darts stores in Canada to purchase your dartboard stand. 

Retail sports stores such as Sport Chek may offer a small darts range (unlikely to offer a dartboard stand) however we suggest you stick to a specialized darts retail store (if there is one in your city). 

For a lot of Canadians, their best way to purchase a dartboard stand is online. Amazon has the biggest range for Canadians and is probably your online best option. 

Canadian specific online darts equipment providers include British Darts and Dart Supply who offer a decent range and suitable prices however Amazon is probably your best bet regarding range and price. 

As mentioned above (and depending on your location), you can also purchase a manufacturer’s dartboard stand (such as Unicorn) directly from their website though check the postage (it may be cheaper to visit an online darts store rather than the manufacturer directly).

Dartboard Stands Germany

One of the biggest European darts markets outside the UK, Germany also has a small retail footprint selling darts and darts equipment. Some of the biggest darts stores in Germany are McDart and Dartshopper who have a good range of darts accessories including dartboard stands. 

As with most countries on this list, Amazon has the biggest online dartboard stand offerings (as well as all other darts equipment).

The biggest Germany based darts online shopping darts websites are McDart and Dartshopper (both mentioned above) though you might want to try some of the UK online darts superstores for pricing (and postage). 

As mentioned above you could go directly to the manufacturer’s website to look at purchasing a dartboard stand (i.e Unicorn). 

There are plenty of places to buy a high quality dartboard stand either in person at a darts retail store or online. Whilst Amazon has a large range online your best bet is to find a country specific darts website, a retail store in your chosen country or alternatively you might be handy and can make your own dartboard stand.

Darts popularity is growing larger by the year and it makes sense that the darts product for sale would be increasing, including what the large sports equipment chains sell. Sports Direct happens to be one of these large chains that has a large offering of darts equipment either in their retail stores or online. 

Aside from Argos, Sports Direct is the other big retail shopping chain that sells sports products in the United Kingdom. While Sports Direct only sells sports products, Argos also has a range of homewares, electronics and outdoor equipment.

While Sports Direct have a large range for football (soccer) products, running and other popular sports, they also have a decent range of darts and darts accessories. Let’s get into a list of Sports Direct darts and Sports Direct darts accessories that they sell either online or in store.

Who is Sports Direct?

Sports Direct was founded in 1982 by Mike Ashley (former Newcastle United owner) under the name Mike Ashley Sports in Maidenhead. Eventually the name was changed to Sports Direct and the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006 and is currently part of the House of Fraser group with over 700 stores across the UK.  

Sports Direct have a large range of items in their stores and (obviously) a bigger range via their online store. Unlike their competitor Argos, they only focus on sports equipment but their range of sports gear is larger than the Argos offering.  

Their main sports equipment retail opposition is Argos who have a large footprint across the UK. Both Sports Direct and Argos have a comprehensive range of darts and darts accessories for a retail store chain. 

Sports Direct Darts Stores

As one of the biggest sports retail chains in the UK there are many Sports Direct stores to purchase your darts and darts equipment from. Some of the larger and popular Sports Direct locations include:

Sports Direct Manchester Darts

There are several Sports Direct Manchester stores located at Arndale Centre, Fort Shopping Park and High Street.  They mainly have a Unicorn darts range however there are some Harrows and Winmau products. 

Sports Direct Liverpool Darts

The Liverpool Sports Direct store is located on South John Street in the Liverpool One shopping complex. Again with the Manchester store, if you prefer Unicorn darts and darts accessories then you are in luck as the Liverpool store stocks mainly Unicorn products. 

There are some Harrows and Winmau products, however Unicorn is the main game in town with Sports Direct. A large darts equipment range (Unicorn) is available in the Sports Direct Liverpool store with accessories such as a dartboard stand and dart mat also available.

Sports Direct Birmingham Darts

There are several Sports Direct Birmingham stores. These are located at Fort Park, New Street and in the Battery Retail Park.The Sports Direct Birmingham darts equipment on sale is mainly Unicorn products however they are suitable for any darts player with several other darts accessories including popular Unicorn sponsored professional darts player t shirts and darts mats.   

Sports Direct Newcastle Darts

Sports Direct Newcastle has several Newcastle locations including Northumberland St, at the Newcastle Shopping Park and also at Gateshead offering a decent range of Unicorn darts and darts accessories. As with other Sports Direct stores, it’s mainly Unicorn products with some Winmau and Harrows darts. 

Sports Direct Bolton Darts

Unlike Argos, Sports Direct Bolton has several stores. The stores are packed with Unicorn products and a sprinkling of Harrows and Winmau darts gear. The Sports Direct Bolton stores are located at Victoria Square and on The Linkway (near Bolton Stadium) at the Middlebrook Retail & Leisure Park. 

Sports Direct Darts

Given their top spot in the retail sports store food chain, the Sports Direct darts offering is decent (providing you like Unicorn products). The Sports Direct darts offering on its online store is slightly more substantial than the Sports Direct darts retail store ranger however there are ample products to stock up your darts and darts accessories at a Sports Direct store. 

As mentioned previously, the main Sports Direct darts brand for sale is Unicorn however there are small darts offerings for Winmau and Harrows darts. The Unicorn darts range on offer by Sports Direct is substantial and suitable for all darts players.

Sports Direct Dartboards

Sports Direct dartboards is another popular darts item that is sold at a decent price when compared to other darts stores. The only Sports Direct dartboard brand for sale is Unicorn which is surprising given most other retailers also offer Winmau dartboards.

Even the smaller Sports Direct stores do have a basic offering of Unicorn dartboards however if you want access to the full range of Sports Direct dartboards then visit their online store to view this. 

If you are looking for a dartboard stand, Sports Direct doesn’t offer this product for sale and you’ll have to visit a special darts retail or online store to purchase this. 

Sports Direct Darts Accessories

Aside from darts and dartboards, Sports Direct also offers a very small range of dartboard accessories such as darts flights, darts stems, dart mats, and dartboard cabinets. Again this is nearly all Unicorn products however they are of top quality and if usually at a competitive price. 

For a more detailed range of darts accessories such as the Unicorn Solar Flare dartboard light again it’s best to visit a specialized darts store and speak to an experienced darts salesperson. 

As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, if you live close to a specialist darts retail store and have just begun your darts journey, it’s probably best you speak to an experienced sales person and get some advice from them regarding suitable darts and darts accessories. 

The more familiar and confident you are with your game and with the type of darts you prefer you can then visit a store like Sports Direct to pick your preferred darts or darts accessories should they be on sale at a reasonable price. 

Given they are the biggest sports retail chain throughout the UK the Sports Direct darts and darts accessories for sale are of a good level and range, providing you like using Unicorn darts equipment. Keep an eye out for any sales or bargains and you could get yourself a nice set of Sports Direct darts at a great price.

For most people, if you wanted to play darts you had to have your board attached to a wall in a room of your house that was at least 3m long and had enough space (and was safe enough) to allow you to play darts. If that wasn’t the case then it was either setting up an outdoor board or heading to the pub or to a mates house to get your darts fix in.  

If you were handy enough you could create your own DIY dartboard stand however for most this wasn’t an option until recent years. Coinciding with the recent darts boom has been a flood of darts and dartboard products, of these we have seen quality dartboard stands. 

These are easy to set up, light and easy to transport and now dart players aren’t stuck if they don’t have sufficient wall space to set up a dart board. Providing you have a room that allows you to set up your dartboard and oche, you can bring all the excitement of having your own dartboard to your house by using a dartboard stand. 

Whilst we go into more detail about dartboard stands in our ultimate dartboard stand guide, below we review 5 of the most popular dartboard stands on the market:

Winmau Xtreme 2 Dartboard Stand

One of the most popular stands on the market (by one of the biggest brands) is the Winmau Xtreme 2 Collapsable Dartboard Stand. This is a reasonably lightweight stand that is easy to set up and quick to get your darts games started. 

This stand is made from black tubular steel, tubular steel, and weighs approximately 7.6kg (or approximately 16.8 pounds) which is slightly heavier than most metal dartboard stands. This stand is super easy to transport and with the collapsible design is easy to set up and attach your dartboard to. 

The Winmau Xtreme 2 has a four leg base for good stability and even if the ground you are setting up your stand on is uneven this stand will make your dartboard perfectly even. The dimensions for the stand are 15cm x 15cm x 170cm and the telescopic portion of the stand locks in once you’ve extended to the regulation height for your dartboard. .

This stand comes with a carry bag and accessory tray and is a quality (though expensive) portable stand to use for your dartboard. At the price we recommend other dartboard stands on this list. 

Unicorn Dartmate Tri-Stand Portable Dartboard Stand

The second of the big two dartboard brands on this list, Unicorn also has a great portable stand to go with their quality dartboards.The portable stand we refer to is the Unicorn Dartmate Tri-Stand Portable Dartboard Stand. 

This is another lightweight stand that is also easy to set up and get your games of darts started in quick time.  This Unicorn stand is also made from black tubular steel and comes in at a light weight of approximately 4kg (or approximately 9 pounds) which is one of the lightest stands on the market. This stand is also easy to carry and with the collapsible design is easy to set up and attach your dartboard to. 

The Unicorn Dartmate Tri-Stand has a three leg base which is very stable and can be adjusted if you are playing darts on uneven ground. The size of this stand  The dimensions for the stand are 14 x 6.5 x 7.5 centimeters with an extendable section to get your dartboard up to regulation height.  

Not the most expensive dartboard stand on the list but also not the cheapest. For the quality and the price we recommend this dartboard for anyone with a suitable budget looking for a great dartboard stand. 

Formula Sports Dartboard Tripod Stand

The first dartboard stand on this list from one of the smaller brands, the Formula Sports Dartboard Tripod Stand may not be made by one of the big boys but definitely packs a punch and is great value for money. 

As with all the portable dartboard stands on this list, this stand is made of solid black tubular steel, is easy to carry and to set up and has an expandable section, with a universal dartboard bracket and  locking pin to set the stand at regulation height to attach your dartboard to. 

The Formula Sports Dartboard Tripod Stand has a solid non-slip tripod base that allows you to keep your stand steady even in unstable ground. This stand is also light, weighing 4kg (approx. 9 pounds), easy to collapse after you’ve finished and very easy to carry. 

The dimensions for the stand are ‎20 x 16 x 102 cm also with an extendable section to get your dartboard up to regulation height.  

The Formula Sports Dartboard Tripod Stand is an excellent value for money stand. 

Shot Darts Portable Tripod Dartboard Stand

Another dartboard stand on this list from one a smaller brand, the Shot Darts Tripod Dartboard Stand is quite similar to the previous dartboard stand on this list. 

Like the above three dartboard stands on this list, the Shot Darts Portable Tripod Dartboard Stand is made of solid black tubular steel, is also easy to carry, is easy to set up/extend the universal dartboard bracket to your dartboard. 

This dartboard stand is sturdy and stable with non slip stoppers to keep the stand stable. This stand is also lightweight, easy to collapse after you’ve finished and very easy to carry. 

The dimensions for the Shot portable dartboard stand are 129cm x 16cm x 14cm  as well as the adjustable middle section that you attach your dartboard to and extend to regulation height.

The Shot Darts Portable Tripod Dartboard Stand is a good quality stand at a reasonable price.

Centrepoint Wood Dartboard Cabinet

While technically not a darts stand (or at least one that is easily portable) and the most expensive stand on this list, the Centrepoint Wood Dartboard Cabinet is a quality cabinet. 

The cabinet is made of solid poplar hardwood, is well crafted with a quality elegant finish and weighs approximately 35 kg or 78 pounds. Whilst this cabinet is shipped in a pack it is relatively easy to put together with simple to follow instructions. 

The dimensions of this cabinet is ‎24 x 9.25 x 81 inches and whilst this isn’t portable, it’s a great addition to your room while not having to have your dartboard or dartboard cabinet attached to your wall. 

For those looking to bring the excitement of a game of darts to your home but don’t have the room on your wall to attach a dartboard then one of the above 5 dartboard stand/cabinet options is for you. Whilst we recommend either the Formula Sports Dartboard Tripod Stand or the Unicorn Dartmate Tri-Stand Portable Dartboard Stand, any one of these above options is a good investment to your game of darts. 

Traditionally the great game of darts was played at the pub, club or even at work with a dartboard attached to the wall with plenty of space around the board. If you didn’t have a room with enough space to attach a board to a wall then you were out of luck trying to play darts in the comforts of your own home. 

In recent years this has changed and dartboard stands have become a popular accessory for people looking to find a place to play darts. Below we go into detail everything you need to know about dartboard stands in our ultimate dartboard stand guide. 

What is a dartboard stand?

As the name suggests a dartboard stand is a stand which you attach your dartboard to, allowing you to play a game of darts where using a traditional wall attached dartboard may not be possible. 

A dartboard stand can be made of many materials however most dartboard stands are made of metal, though some people do use dartboard stands made of wood however these aren’t as mobile as a metal dartboard stand. 

A good dartboard stand is easy to set up, sturdy and even, light to carry and easy to store. A good dartboard stand should also be compatible with all major dartboard manufacturers.

How to set up your dartboard stand

This will depend on the type of dartboard stand you have and the materials that it is made from. If you’ve purchased one of the popular metal (or tubular steel) style dartboard stands that are on the market then it is as simple as following the instructions provided. All modern metal/steel adjustable dartboard stands have an easily lockable option to set the dartboard at your desired correct height. 

While most reputable dartboard stands have a lock-in option for the official dartboard height, we do suggest you have a measuring tape handy to check that it is the official height (5 feet 8 inches or 1.73m). We also suggest you’ve got rubber stoppers to make sure your dartboard stand is stable and even. 

If your dartboard is made of another material such as wood this may take longer to set up particularly if this stand is DIY. 

What is a dartboard stand made of?

Most dartboard stands currently for sale are made of metal or tubular steel which makes for a lightweight stand that is easy to extend or collapse, easy to carry and easy to store. 

As mentioned above for the more DIY there are other materials that dartboard stands can be made of, however the more popular material after the tubular steel option is wood. This stand tends to be heavier, less flexible and harder to transport. 

If you are looking for a dartboard stand we suggest one that is made of tubular steel.

How heavy are dartboard stands?

Again this depends on the material your dartboard stand is made of; however , most tubular steel dartboard stands are relatively lightweight, weighing about 7kg or 15 pounds and are easy to pack away or transport. 

If you have a wooden dartboard stand this is likely to be heavier and harder to pack away or transport and way more likely to weigh more than 7kg/15 pounds.  

Are dartboard stands mobile?

Yes. Most dartboard stands sold today are easy to transport and to set up and pack away. Look for a dartboard stand that weighs around 7kg or 15 pounds to enable easier mobility or transportation. Tubular steel dartboard stands are likely to be more mobile than a dartboard stand made of other materials such as wood. 

Can you DIY or make your own dart board stand?

If you are handy enough and your budget doesn’t have room to purchase a metal/tubular steel stand by all means create your own dartboard stand. If you need to continually pack this stand away we suggest you make this stand flexible and light enough to carry.

What dartboards can you use on a dartboard stand?

Nearly all modern dartboard stands made of metal/tubular steel are suitable for dartboards of all major manufacturers. Obviously a dartboard manufacturer will recommend their own dartboard stand however you don’t need to match the dartboard manufacturer with the dartboard stand manufacturer.

Can you use a dart board stand for an electronic dartboard?

Soft tip plastic dartboards (electronic dartboards) can have different dimensions and sizes than a traditional steel tip bristle dartboard so they may not fit on a dartboard stand that is made for official size bristle dartboards.  Check with the dartboard stand merchant whether the dartboard stand you are looking to purchase is suitable for an electronic dartboard. 

Alternatively if you do have an electronic dartboard and can’t find a stand it might be time to invest in a quality bristle board and some steel tip darts. 

What are the dimensions for a dart board stand?

There are no official dimensions or measurements for a dartboard stand, the only thing you need it has to do is to be extended to allow your dartboard bullseye set at 5 feet 8 inches (or 1.73m) high

A dartboard stand that is sturdy with at least 3 or 4 legs is what you should in the market for as well as being easy to set up and light to carry. 

Can I attach a light to my dartboard stand?

You can invest in a lighting bracket that can be attached to your dartboard stand or alternatively you could invest in a separate light stand that can be set up just to the side of your dartboard. You can get a decent light and stand for around $70 or £55. 

Alternatively you can purchase dartboard lights which most of the big darts manufacturers produce such as the Winmau Plasma LED Dartboard Light,  Mission Torus LED Dartboard Light Range and the Shot Stadium LED Dartboard Lights.   

Using dartboard lights can create an amazing atmosphere and can make any intense home darts contest feel like you are playing in a PDC event and we thoroughly recommend using lights. 

Tips to keep a dartboard stand stable

• The first tip we recommend is to purchase a high quality dartboard stand. As with all darts equipment if your budget allows it also invest in high quality products. This extends to dartboard stands. You can have the best darts, dartboard and accessories however if you have a poor dartboard stand this will ruin the game. If you are always thinking about trying to keep the dartboard stand stable this will take away from your darts and ruin the game. 
• Always set up your dartboard stand on a solid flat ground or flooring. Concrete, wood (though make sure you have protective mats between the dartboard and oche to catch any rogue darts that ricochet off the board) and flat carpet are the best surfaces to set up your dartboard stand on. 
• If you are setting up your dartboard stand outdoors try and find the flattest ground and ground that is sheltered from the elements (ideally the wind and rain).
• Always make sure you use the same brand of rubber stoppers on your dartboard stand. Rubber stoppers are made of different materials and different sizes so stick to the same type and size. 
• Be gentle when you are storing and transporting your stand. Whilst the stand is sturdy enough, storing your stand underneath heavy items could bend or warp the stand which will affect the set up of your dartboard and the quality of your darts game. Buy quality equipment and treat this equipment well and it will last a long time. 

Tips to look after your dartboard stand

• Firstly, buy a high quality stand if your budget allows it. As mentioned above, well looked after quality equipment will last you a long time, this is no different with your dartboard stand. 
• Store and transport your dartboard stand carefully. While most tubular steel stands are sturdy enough they are not made to withstand the rigors or being constantly thrown around or stored under heavy items and will likely buckle or bend.
• Have plenty of the same brand and size rubber stoppers. Whilst the rubber stoppers should last a very long time (and likely won’t need to be replaced) you don’t want to be empty handed in the unlikely event that a stopper needs to be replaced. 
• Use an official size high quality dartboard with your stand
• Don’t attach lots of lights or filming equipment to your dartboard stand that may affect the structure of your dartboard stand. 
• Clean and maintain your dartboard stand regularly. 

Popular dartboard stands for sale

Whilst there are many dartboard stand manufacturers some of the more popular brands of dartboard stands include:

Winmau Xtreme 2 Dartboard Stand

One of the most popular dartboard stands on the market, the Winmau Xtreme is a quality stand that is a solid stand that is light enough to carry and pack away and quick to set up. 

This stand is suitable to use with any major regulation size dart board however we recommend the Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core (the PDC official board) to use with this stand.  

Mission Darts Rotapro Dartboard Stand 

A tripod stand that is made of solid tubular steel, a stand that can be set up in minutes and is easy to carry and store. A worthy dartboard stand to own and is suitable for use with any major official regulation dartboard however as with all these on this list we recommend the Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core to use with this stand.

Formula Sports Dartboard Stand

Coming in at a weight of 5kg, this stand is a solid entry into the dartboard stand market. Formula Sports tend to offer darts products aimed at the lower levels however this stand is reasonably priced quality and suits any official sized regulation dartboard. 

Gorilla Arrow Pro Dartboard Stand

A newer entry into the dartboard stand market, the Gorilla Arrow Pro Portable Dartboard stand is a solid enough stand that sets up quickly, collapses and can be packed quickly and does the job. 

This stand is light, comes with a carry bag and suits any dartboard of official regulation size. One of the lighter stands on this list at 4kg this stand is worth looking at. 

Lean2Pro Portable Dartboard Stand

Lastly, the Lean2Pro Dartboard Stand is a portable stand that only uses one leg on each side (rather than a tripod approach) this is a newer entry to the dartboard market coming in at a lower end price. This stand isn’t the most stable on this list, will take a bit of time to put together and due to the stand set up does need a wall to balance against. 

This stand can be used for all official regulation size dart boards and does come with a nice carry case that also stores and carries your dartboard, however we think you should avoid this stand as there are better, more solid options on this list. 

What is the best brand of dartboard stand?

While ‘best’ is a subjective term, we will recommend 2 stands (and boards), one that is at the higher end of the market and one that is at a lower price point. If your budget allows we recommend the higher quality (and usually more expensive) equipment, however that’s not to say that you can’t have a great night of darts with your friends if you aren’t using a Winmau or Unicorn board, there is a lot of reasonably price quality darts products on the market and if your budget only stretches to this level, you will have many a great night of darts using these products. 

1. Winmau Xtreme 2 Dartboard Stand and Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core Dartboard
2. Formula Sports Dartboard Stand and Formula Sports Micro Band III Dartboard

With dartboard stands most stands on the market are of a similar quality and are priced at similar prices so the focus (in regards to price/quality) should be on your dartboard. 

Best accessories to go with your dartboard stand

To make the dartboard stand set up complete you need to have some accessories to do with your board and stand. Assuming that you have your dartboard (if not as we mentioned above we recommend the Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core) and sets of darts, below are some accessories that should form part of your dartboard and dartboard stand kit.

• Dart Mat

Whilst we would all like to think we throw our darts like Van Gerwin or Snakebite Wright, it’s safe to say that quite a few of our darts do end up on the floor! Now you might save a suitable covering or carpet that can absorb any rogue darts, however if you want to protect your carpet or if you have a wooden or concrete floor you’ll want to invest in a quality protector or darts mat.

The other benefit of using a dart mat is that it also has the official darts measurements printed on it so as long as you line it up correctly with the position of your board, you are ready to go.  

We recommend the Shot Darts Professional T Dart Mat Heavy Duty Rubber Mat

If you need more protection then look for additional rubber or protective flooring to use next to your board. 

• Darts Scoreboard

You’ve got your dartboard and stand set up and are ready to play, you just need to have your scoreboard set up to track who is winning!

This can be as simple as a blackboard with chalk, a whiteboard or for a more extravagant electronic scoreboard. 

An added benefit of using an electronic scoreboard is that they are usually programmed for different types of darts such as cricket, killer or shanghai.

For a chalkboard we recommend the Viper Chalk Scoreboard and for an electronic scoreboard we recommend the Viper Proscore Touchpad Electronic Scorer.

• Dartboard Lights

We touched on dartboard lights earlier in this article however these are an awesome addition to any dartboard and add a lot of excitement and atmosphere to your games of darts.

Whilst you can get external lights and stands for these, the basic dartboard light set we recommend is the Mission Darts Torus 100, while the more advanced dartboard we recommend is the Winmau Plasma LED Dartboard Light System. 

• Darts Oche or Throw Line

There are several ways to approach this, the super cheap option, the cheap option or the hi tech option. 

For the super cheap option, you can use gaffer tape or painters tape along with a basic measuring tape for the distance however keep in mind that this option can wear quite easily and need to be reapplied and measured again. 

The next option is a specially measured darts oche tape such as the Unicorn Oche Mate, which has the exact measurements to set your board up (it uses a unique measure for the diagonal from the Oche to the Bullseye).  

Should you purchase a laser oche don’t forget some spare batteries!

• Darts games book

Now that you’ve got everything else set up, you might want to have some options for the types of games you can play. There are plenty of darts books on the market, one option we recommend is 40 Easy Darts Games by Kerry Butters.  Alternatively there are plenty of online destinations (including this website) to give you ideas for darts games to play. 

Where to buy your dartboard stand?

Whilst we have included links above, there are plenty of providers to purchase your dartboard stand from. In the UK/Europe places such as Darts Warehouse and Darts Corner offer a wide range at competitive prices, in the US you can visit Amazon, A-Z Darts and Dart World while in Australia Avid Darts offers some great darts products as does The Dart Depot in New Zealand.

If you don’t have a wall to attach your dartboard to or you like to have a portable dartboard to play at the houses of friends or family who don’t have a board, a quality dartboard stand (combined with a high quality dartboard) is a great investment.  

Hopefully these above tips can help you in your dartboard stand purchase and will provide you, your friends and family countless hours of quality darts fun and competition!