The Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship is the only place to be in London over Christmas and New Year. Hosted at the iconic Alexandra Palace in north London, tickets for the worlds have long been some of the most sought-after in the capital's sporting calendar. Demand regularly outstrips supply, and following the emergence of teenage darts sensation Luke Littler , that has only increased.
Little over a year ago, Littler, then just 16 years of age, was virtually unknown except to the most dedicated of darts enthusiasts. Now, thanks to his extraordinary journey to the final at Ally Pally in January, when he narrowly lost out to Luke Humphries, he is one of the world's best-known teenagers, a reputation that he himself has only enhanced in the months since. It ultimately wasn't to be for Littler against Humphries.
But the match – and the buzz it created – signified a pivotal moment for the sport of darts. While the game of 501 has been around for a long time, it first really came to public prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to iconic figures like Eric Bristow, Bobby George, and Jocky Wilson. This period, marked by intense rivalries, terrestrial TV coverage, and larger-than-life personalities, is often considered the sport's first golden era.
The aforementioned trio – and a host of other top stars – became household names and were darts' first true celebrities. Until fairly recently, it was that version of the game that was perhaps most familiar to the general.