PDC Steps In After Nathan Aspinall Questions Crowd Legitimacy at Inaugural Saudi Masters
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has issued a clarifying statement following candid remarks made by Nathan Aspinall regarding the atmosphere and attendance at the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters. The tournament, a landmark event representing the PDC’s first venture into the Kingdom, has sparked significant conversation regarding the cultural translation of a sport traditionally fueled by raucous, alcohol-infused crowds.
The controversy arose following Aspinall’s dominant first-round victory over Lourence Ilagan at the Global Theater in Riyadh. While the “Asp” secured a comfortable win on the oche, his post-match assessment of the audience was far less charitable. Speaking to the media, the former World Matchplay champion suggested that the spectators in the intimate venue might not have been entirely genuine enthusiasts.
“I’m not stupid. I feel like they weren’t all there of their own accord, shall we say,” Aspinall stated, casting doubt on the organic nature of the attendance. He noted the stark contrast between the Riyadh crowd and the deafening roaring trade typical of European darts halls. “It was quite a small venue but you’ve got to start somewhere,” he added, tempering his criticism with an acknowledgement of the sport’s developmental phase in the region. “There is definitely a long way to go.“
The comments, particularly the implication that fans were perhaps compelled to attend, prompted a swift response from the governing body. In a statement designed to contextualize Aspinall’s observations and protect the integrity of their new partnership, the PDC emphasized that the event was a “first-of-its-kind” in the region.
“Nathan was reflecting on the fact that this was a first-of-its-kind darts event in the region, with many attendees experiencing live darts for the first time,” the PDC statement read. The organization sought to dispel the notion of a “rent-a-crowd,” asserting firmly that “all spectators attended as ticket holders or guests, and we were delighted to see such strong interest in the PDC’s debut in Saudi Arabia.” They further explained that in any new market, the “atmosphere and crowd make-up can differ from long-established darts events such as those in the UK and Europe.“
The cultural dissonance was palpable throughout the opening night. With strict regulations prohibiting alcohol—a staple of the “party” atmosphere synonymous with the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace—the energy in the room was notably different. Fans were described as polite and observant rather than boisterous. Even teenage sensation Luke Littler noted the shift, admitting, “It wasn’t such a loud environment,” though he maintained that the quieter setting did not hinder his performance.
However, Aspinall’s perspective was not universally shared among the players. Gerwyn Price, often the target of pantomime villainy in Western venues, found the change refreshing. Price praised the Saudi audience for their attentiveness, suggesting that the lack of intoxication led to a more focused appreciation of the skill on display. “They were watching and engaged in the darts,” Price observed. “Sometimes in other arenas they’re there for a good drink and a party atmosphere and sometimes they’re not even watching the darts. Here they were more involved.“
Despite his initial skepticism regarding the crowd’s origins, even Aspinall conceded that the engagement levels were higher than expected once the arrows were flying. “Whenever I looked out into the crowd, you could actually tell they were watching it,” he admitted. He concluded his thoughts with a pragmatic outlook on the PDC’s global expansion: “Everything needs to start somewhere. As long as people walk away from this week and go, ‘I really enjoyed the darts’ and it gets good coverage… then there’s no reason why not.“
As the World Series of Darts continues its efforts to break into non-traditional territories, the friction between established expectations and new cultural realities is likely to persist. For now, the PDC remains committed to the project, framing these early hurdles as merely the growing pains of a sport rapidly outgrowing its pub-room roots to become a truly global spectacle.
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