The Bahrain Darts Masters was thrown into complete disarray on Friday night after a sudden power outage brought play to a bizarre and unexpected halt, creating one of the most surreal moments seen on the professional darts circuit in recent years.
The incident occurred at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir, during a quarter-final clash between Dutch players Gian van Veen and Danny Noppert. With the match finely poised and momentum beginning to swing, the arena was plunged into darkness mid-leg as the venue lost power without warning. Van Veen had just built a 3–1 lead and was in the middle of a strong visit when the lights abruptly went out, instantly stopping play and leaving players, officials and fans momentarily stunned.
What followed was an unusual but light-hearted pause that quickly went viral. Rather than frustration, the crowd responded with humour and creativity, pulling out their mobile phones and switching on flashlights to illuminate the stage. The glowing arena created a striking visual, with fans laughing, filming the moment and chanting while officials worked to resolve the issue behind the scenes.
On the broadcast, commentators were forced to improvise as live pictures disappeared. Coverage briefly cut away to highlights while production teams dealt with the technical failure. One commentator joked about the unprecedented situation, while another admitted it was something they had never experienced before in professional darts, praising the calm response of everyone involved.
After approximately 10 minutes, power was restored and the arena lights flickered back on to a round of applause from the crowd. Both players were allowed time to warm up again, a standard practice following long interruptions to ensure fairness. Once play resumed, Van Veen showed impressive composure, quickly settling back into rhythm and going on to close out the match with a convincing 6–1 victory, booking his place in the semi-finals.
While the power outage stole headlines, it came on a night already packed with high-quality darts and major storylines. Elsewhere in the tournament, Nathan Aspinall produced a standout performance to eliminate world number two Luke Humphries, delivering a clinical display that underlined his strong form. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price continued his impressive run by defeating reigning world champion Luke Littler 6–2, overcoming the teenage sensation with a dominant and controlled performance.
The Bahrain Darts Masters, one of the opening events on the PDC World Series calendar, carries significant prestige and prize money. Players are competing for a £30,000 top prize from a total purse of £100,000, with valuable momentum on offer as the global darts season gathers pace. The event also serves as a showcase for darts in the Middle East, drawing large crowds and growing international interest in the sport.
Despite the temporary disruption, organisers were quick to restore order, and the remainder of the session proceeded smoothly. Players later spoke informally about the interruption, acknowledging it was strange but part of live sport, where the unexpected can happen at any moment. The calm handling of the situation ensured the tournament retained its competitive integrity.
In the end, the power outage became an unforgettable footnote rather than a defining moment. Fans will remember the night not just for the results, but for the surreal image of a darts arena lit up by phone torches and laughter. It was a reminder that even in a sport built on precision and control, unpredictability can strike — sometimes quite literally — when the lights go out.
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