In the heart of the electric atmosphere at Alexandra Palace during the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, fans were left utterly stunned on Day 9 by a leg of darts that defied belief—a grueling, error-strewn affair widely hailed as the worst ever witnessed on the iconic Ally Pally stage.
The drama unfolded in the first-round clash between Northern Ireland’s Mickey Mansell and America’s Leonard Gates. As the match teetered on the brink, with the score locked in a tense battle, the fourth set saw Mansell claw his way to a 3-1 lead in legs, forcing a decisive fifth set. But it was one particular leg in that set that etched itself into darts folklore for all the wrong reasons. What should have been a swift exchange of arrows turned into an agonizing marathon, with the two players combining for a staggering **66 darts**—33 each—before Mansell finally closed it out.
In professional darts, elite players often dispatch a 501 leg in 12 to 15 darts, showcasing precision and power. Here, the board seemed to repel every attempt, with repeated visits yielding low scores, missed doubles, and frustrating busts that left both competitors shaking their heads in disbelief. Neither could find rhythm on their checkouts, repeatedly overshooting and forcing returns to the oche amid growing murmurs from the crowd. The leg dragged on interminably, turning what is usually a high-octane spectacle into a comedy of errors that had the packed venue oscillating between groans of sympathy and bursts of incredulous laughter.
Spectators, many decked out in festive fancy dress and fueled by the holiday spirit, could hardly believe their eyes. Social media erupted in real time, with reactions pouring in that captured the sheer absurdity of the moment. One fan quipped that most pub league players could have outperformed the pros in that leg, declaring it “bizarre stuff.” Another went further, suggesting both players should face tour card revocation for such a display, while a third noted that reigning champion Luke Littler could have won an entire set in fewer darts. Comments like “That’s the worst game of darts I have ever watched in my life” and “An absolute embarrassment to the game” flooded timelines, underscoring the shock and disappointment among the passionate Ally Pally faithful.
Yet, in the unpredictable world of darts, this woeful leg did not define the match’s outcome. Gates, drawing on resilience, battled through to claim a 3-2 victory overall, advancing to the second round where he would face the winner of Nathan Aspinall or Lourence Ilagan. Aspinall, a two-time semi-finalist with a proven track record in high-pressure scenarios, remains a strong favorite to progress deep into the tournament.
This extraordinary leg serves as a reminder of darts’ unique charm: a sport where perfection can crumble into chaos in an instant, leaving even the most seasoned observers speechless. At Alexandra Palace, known for its raucous crowds, nine-darters, and unforgettable upsets, this moment stands out as a testament to the game’s humbling nature. While top stars like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries dazzle with averages soaring above 100, encounters like Mansell versus Gates highlight why fans flock to Ally Pally year after year—the sheer unpredictability that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
The championship, now in full swing with an expanded field of 128 players starting from round one, continues to deliver drama. From historic debut wins to nail-biting comebacks, the road to the £1 million prize remains wide open. But for those who witnessed it, that interminable leg will linger long in the memory as a quirky, if painful, chapter in the storied history of the World Darts Championship.
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