As the world of professional darts continues to expand its global footprint, all eyes are turning to Riyadh for the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, a groundbreaking event set to unfold at the Global Theater. This two-day spectacle, kicking off on January 19 and concluding on January 20, marks the first time the sport has ventured into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a move that’s stirring both excitement and debate among fans and players alike. Amid the buzz, former world champion Luke Humphries has shared his candid thoughts, expressing optimism about the unique atmosphere awaiting the competitors in a setting where alcohol is strictly off-limits, reflecting the country’s zero-tolerance policy.
Darts, a game often synonymous with lively pub crowds and a pint in hand, is about to experience a fresh twist. The tournament pits eight top-tier PDC superstars against eight skilled representatives from the Asian Tour, creating a clash of styles and cultures that’s sure to captivate. Humphries, who’s drawn against Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto in the opening round, is particularly enthusiastic about the shift. “It’s going to be a very respectful atmosphere, it’s going to be good,” he remarked, highlighting his belief that the event will thrive without the usual boozy backdrop. He went on to challenge the notion that fun requires alcohol, adding, “I think the key thing to understand is it doesn’t take alcohol to have a good night. I think a lot of people think if you don’t drink then you can’t have a good night. But I think that the Saudi people are very respectful and they will really be looking forward to seeing the great talents of what we produce.”
This perspective underscores Humphries’ appreciation for the cultural nuances of the host nation. He elaborated on how audiences in places like Saudi Arabia and Japan tend to engage differently with sports, noting, “What we need to understand is when you go to places like Saudi or Japan, these countries are respectful people. They don’t cheer out, they don’t jump out of their seats. They’re just going to be really satisfied to sit back and enjoy a great sport and get to see what we do.” For Humphries, this isn’t a drawback but an opportunity for the sport to shine in a new light, allowing the precision and drama of darts to take center stage without distractions. He even described the move as “inevitable,” pointing to Saudi Arabia’s rapid emergence as a hub for international sports. “For sure because Saudi has become this new hotspot of all the sports,” he explained. “They just want to see different sports. They want tourism there and want to just experience all these different sports. It was just inevitable that it was going to happen that darts went there as well.”
The event follows hot on the heels of the Bahrain Darts Masters, where Michael van Gerwen claimed victory, setting the stage for what could be another thrilling chapter in the World Series. Van Gerwen, seeded first and facing India’s Nitin Kumar in round one, has been pragmatic about the location. “Every sport in the world is competing there. So why not darts?” he stated, emphasizing his focus on the competition rather than external discussions. “The organisation decides if they put on a tournament wherever in the world, I just book a plane ticket and I go. That’s the way it is. Every sport in the world goes there. Darts is probably one of the last sports in the world who are going there. So who am I to judge? And then they say, you don’t have an opinion? Of course I have an opinion. But I want to do it for myself. I’m there to earn a living, simple as that. If I don’t do it, someone else does it.”
Adding to the intrigue is the star-studded lineup. Alongside Humphries and van Gerwen, teenage sensation Luke Littler will take on Singapore’s legendary Paul Lim, while Gerwyn Price meets the Philippines’ Alexis Toylo. Other matchups include Stephen Bunting versus Japan’s Tomoya Goto, Nathan Aspinall against Lourence Ilagan from the Philippines, Danny Noppert facing Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung, and Gian van Veen up against Japan’s Motomu Sakai. The format keeps things intense: round one on Monday is best of 11 legs, with quarter-finals following the same, semi-finals best of 13, and the final best of 15—all starting at 1900 local time.
Beyond the competitive drama, the tournament dangles a tantalizing incentive: a $100,000 prize for any player who achieves a perfect nine-darter. But the excitement doesn’t stop there—if successful, the thrower gets one shot at the Riyadh Season Bullseye to double it to $200,000, potentially setting a new record for the biggest nine-darter payout in PDC history. This high-stakes element could elevate the event, drawing even more attention to darts’ arrival in Saudi Arabia, a country that’s aggressively positioning itself on the global sports map with events in boxing, Formula 1, football, snooker, and more.
As the oche prepares to light up in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters represents more than just another tournament—it’s a bridge between traditions, a test of adaptability, and a showcase of darts’ universal appeal. Humphries’ positive outlook sets a tone of anticipation, reminding everyone that at its core, the sport is about skill, focus, and the thrill of the throw. Whether the crowds remain seated and serene or erupt in their own respectful way, this event promises to be a memorable milestone, blending the raw energy of professional darts with the poised elegance of a new cultural frontier. With players like Littler bringing youthful flair and veterans like van Gerwen chasing consecutive titles, the stage is set for unforgettable moments that could redefine how the world views this beloved game.
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