Here are 7 reasons why darts are becoming more and more popular here, as the Darts World Championships get underway in London.
1. 3 Belgians in the world top 50
If the discipline is becoming popular in Belgium, it is above all thanks to several Flemish champions. Dimitri Van den Bergh (11th in the world) is the leading figure of the movement. This 30-year-old from Antwerp has been part of the world’s elite for several years. Winner of a few tournaments, he is the first Belgian to have participated in a semi-final during the 2023 Worlds.
Before him, a certain Kim Huybrechts (41st in the world) made Belgium’s heyday on the international scene. The 38-year-old from Antwerp had some moments of glory in the 2010s and is still part of the world’s top 50. Third exceptional champion: Mike De Decker. The 29-year-old Malinois (24th in the world) has recently created a feat by winning a major tournament, beating the world number 1 in the final and Van den Bergh in the semi-final. He now occupies the top 30 in the world.
In short, Flanders has several renowned personalities with whom to identify. Wallonia could soon take an example from François Schweyen, recent semi-finalist at the World Amateur Championships. The 35-year-old from Verviétois also made a promise: “One thing is certain, I will return to this temple of darts (Editor’s note: Lakeside), with the sole objective of coming home with the title“.
gullI will return to the World Amateurs with the sole objective of coming home with the title
2. Many federations, including a large one in Brussels
Even though Belgium does not have many professional darts players, it has many federations. Particularly in the large Flemish cities which are riding on the success of our compatriots. On the Brussels and Walloon side, we are trying to join the movement.
Among them, we find the Walloon Block Darts Federation and the National and Brussels Darts Federation. The first will celebrate its 30th anniversary and the second was created in 1982 in Brussels.
The FWDB has 158 members and 17 teams for two divisions. “The heart of the federation is located in the Mons-La Louvière region, with 13 of the 17 teams and a constantly increasing number of members”underlines President Sonia Dekegel.
On the Brussels side, the NBDF has 50 teams and 433 players registered. “At one point, there were 3 federations in Brussels. I had 10 divisions, the others only two. Without bragging, it was David against Goliath”explains president Luc Vanhaegendoren. And Goliath continues to grow since the end of the Covid health crisis. A fourth division was created this year and teams continue to be created: “Next year, some clubs will split into several teams because there are currently around fifteen players, which is too many for everyone to play.”.
gullAt one point, there were 3 federations in Brussels. I had 10 divisions, the others only two. Without bragging, it was David against Goliath…
3. VTM and RTL broadcasters of the Worlds
The popularity of darts took a famous turn during the Covid period. Dimitri Van den Bergh has had some big successes. And the Flemish channel VTM bought the darts broadcast. Blocked at home, the Belgians have learned to appreciate discipline.
“Before the arrival of VTM 5 years ago, we were one step behind the Netherlands. Thanks to van Barneveld and Van Gerwen, darts had been broadcast on television for a long time among our neighbors”explains Tanguy Borra, reference for darts in Belgium. VTM took the turn at the right time. During the World Cup final in January 2024, 678,000 spectators thrilled to the match.
Last year, RTL broadcast the world championships. “A first in French-speaking Belgium”proudly underlined Vincenzo Ciuro, head of sports. “There is real interest from the Walloon and Brussels public in the discipline.”
This is why the private channel is repeating the experience this year and broadcast the Flanders Darts Trophy, an international tournament in Antwerp, last September.
gullThere is real interest from the Walloon and Brussels public in the discipline
4. 2 international tournaments and a Walloon open
Every weekend, several tournaments are organized throughout the country. Recently, the Walloon Block Darts Federation organized a tournament in Morlanwelz which worked well and the very first Walloon Darts Open was organized from November 9 to 10. Around a hundred members took part in the Wanze tournament. A great success in Wallonia.
At the global level, our country now hosts two PDC European Tour tournaments (the professional league). The Belgian Darts Open takes place in March, in the Oktoberhallen in Wieze. The Flanders Darts Trophy takes place in September in Antwerp. Only Germany can boast of also organizing two tournaments on the European Tour.
5. Increasingly bigger prize money
Every year, the prize money swells more and more. At the Belgian Darts Open and the Flanders Darts Trophy, the winner takes home 30,000 pounds. During major tournaments, prizes soar. By winning the World Grand Prix, Mike De Decker pocketed the check for 120,000 pounds. At the Worlds, the winner takes home 500,000 pounds.
Not counting sponsorship, thanks to its prize money, around fifty professional players manage to easily make a living from darts. This is particularly the case for our two champions, Van den Bergh and De Decker. Over the last two years, they have earned 475,000 and 356,000 pounds respectively. Kim Huybrechts is not left out with 163,000 pounds.
As amateurs, in the WDF league (World Darts Federation), the winner of the world championships wins 50,000 pounds for men and 25,000 pounds for women.
6. Sponsors, important sources of income
Tournament winnings are not the only sources of income for darts players. Sponsorship plays an important role. Some players look like billboards because they have sponsors on their outfits. VTM has been the sponsor of Dimitri Van den Bergh for several years.
“With the growing popularity of darts in Belgium, two specialized stores have emerged in Belgium: the Dartshop Vanhee and the Dartshop MadHouse”explains Tanguy Borra. In Menen, 10 kilometers from Mouscron, we find this store specializing in darts. Like the Dartshop MadHouse in Dendermonde, the Dartshop Vanhee offers a darts bar where you can play on professional equipment while purchasing specialized products and having a drink. Tournaments, courses and courses are notably organized in this Flemish commune, located a few meters from the French border.
“These two stores each sponsor around fifteen players, not especially professionals but those just below”adds our expert.
gullTwo Belgian stores sponsor around fifteen players, not especially professionals but those just below
7. A totally crazy atmosphere during world tournaments
It’s impossible to talk about darts without talking about the atmosphere that reigns in the rooms during major PDC tournaments. During the World Championships, thousands of people fill Alexandra Palace in London, which has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.
Costumes, music, liters of beer, applause, cries of joy… The atmosphere can bring to mind the most beautiful atmospheres of certain European football stadiums. In this little game, Belgium is doing well.
The Belgian Open Darts has been sold out for several years. For its first edition, the Flanders Darts Trophy welcomed 20,000 supporters throughout the weekend.
Each player is cheered like a rockstar and breaks into a song before starting their meeting. Dimitri Van den Bergh still performs his dance moves to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Hence his nickname “Dancing Dimi”. Mike De Decker enters on “Three little birds” by Bob Marley. “Rock you like a hurricane” by Scorpions accompanies the entry of Kim Huybrechts.
