Where else would you get people dressed as traffic cones, priests, Shrek, Minions and George Best all at the same event?
When the Premier League darts roll into the SSE Arena every year, it’s a spectacle worth beholding. Fans are allowed to express themselves freely, thus the colourful and varied costumes.
It’s the opening night of the 17-week tournament, which culminates with the finals at the O2 Arena in London on May 29, and the players are in optimistic spirits ahead of what will be a marathon of a tournament, which World No.1 Luke Humphries described as the toughest to win in the sport.
Luke Littler
The fans are in good spirits, too. Darts events rarely are just about the sport, particularly for those that are at the furthest end of the SSE Arena and as far away from the board as possible. It’s about going out on a Thursday night and enjoying yourself.
They’re queued right back from 5.45pm, a full hour-and-a-quarter before the Sky Sports cameras even switch on.
“Let’s go Bunting mental!” yells Ben Gibson, in reference to the in-form Stephen Bunting.
The crowd are less than partisan. While there are plenty dressed up as Michael van Gerwen — including one woman wearing a bald cap that barely covers her hair — and even a few Michael Smith lookalikes despite the former world champion not being involved, most are here for Luke Littler.
The 18-year-old phenom is undoubtedly the sport’s biggest star right now and, unsurprisingly, most of the 9,000-strong crowd are willing him on to victory in a world title rematch against Van Gerwen.
Some, though, are here for more local talent.
“We’re here to see Josh Rock,” says Louis Houston. “We’ve met him the last couple of years and he’s a sound lad.”
Rock is Northern Ireland’s darting darling right now, the World No.17 the closest to breaking into the exclusive Premier League group that features only eight of the best players in the world.
Northern Ireland hasn’t had a player in the Premier League since Daryl Gurney in 2020. Judging by the number of ‘Rocky’ shirts in the crowd, they would desperately love the Broughshane man to end that wait next year.
But even with a lack of local representation in the Premier League, it doesn’t stop the crowd having a great night. The drink is flowing, the fans are in full voice and the standard on the stage rarely disappoints when it comes to the standard of players at the oche.
“It’s the craic,” says Harry Stafford. “It’s about sinking a few beers, having a laugh and enjoying the company. There’s few better nights than this in the year.”
Cheerleaders, Where’s Wally, dartboards for heads and nuns in drag.
Safe to say there’s nothing quite like the darts in Belfast.