Darts Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Soft Tip Darts, Steel Tip Darts), By Application (Amateur, Professional), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 546.13 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.67%
Fastest Growing Segment	Steel Tip Darts
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 899.41 Million

Market Overview

The Global Darts Market will grow from USD 546.13 Million in 2025 to USD 899.41 Million by 2031 at a 8.67% CAGR. Darts is defined as a precision sport and leisure activity in which players throw small missiles at a circular board divided into numbered sectors. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the increasing global viewership of professional tournaments which directly stimulates grassroots participation and equipment demand. Furthermore, the widespread modernization of hospitality venues through electronic scoring systems has significantly lowered entry barriers for casual players and expanded the consumer base beyond traditional enthusiasts.

According to the Professional Darts Corporation, in 2024, the organization allocated a total prize fund of 2.5 million pounds for the World Darts Championship, a figure that reflects the substantial commercial scale of the professional sector. Despite this economic stability, the industry faces a significant challenge regarding the historical association of the sport with alcohol consumption, as this perception restricts broader entry into youth educational programs and limits potential sponsorship avenues in health-conscious markets.

Key Market Drivers

Rising global viewership of professional tournaments serves as the primary catalyst for market expansion, converting passive entertainment into active consumer demand. Major broadcasting networks have enhanced the spectacle of the sport, resulting in record-breaking audience engagement that directly correlates with retail growth. According to Sky Sports, January 2024, in the 'PDC World Darts Championship final hits record peak audience' report, the 2024 final attracted a total audience of 4.8 million viewers, representing a 143% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in visibility immediately impacts equipment manufacturers and retailers, as fans seek to replicate professional standards at home. According to The Leader, in 2024, the sports equipment retailer Net World Sports recorded a 43% year-on-year increase in darts equipment sales following the conclusion of the championship season.

The proliferation of gamified social entertainment venues constitutes the second significant driver, reshaping the industry's demographic reach. By integrating automated scoring technologies within hospitality settings, these venues eliminate the arithmetic complexities of traditional play, thereby attracting a younger, gender-diverse customer base. This competitive socializing model has proven financially robust, driving expansion across international territories. According to Pub & Bar, February 2024, in the 'Flight Club owner reveals full-year sales' article, Red Engine, the operator behind a leading social darts brand, reported that sales for its owned venues reached 67 million pounds in 2023, marking a 26% increase against the prior year. This data underscores the sector's transition from niche hobbyist circles to a mainstream leisure economy, securing sustained investment in modernized facilities.

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Key Market Challenges

The historical association of darts with alcohol consumption creates a distinct reputational barrier that impedes the market's expansion into mainstream commercial sectors. This perception alienates health-conscious consumer groups and restricts the industry's ability to secure sponsorship agreements from lifestyle, technology, or nutritional brands that avoid partnerships with substance-related environments. Consequently, the professional sector remains heavily dependent on betting and brewing companies for revenue, a financial model that perpetuates the very image preventing broader corporate investment and family-friendly marketing strategies.

Furthermore, this ingrained "pub sport" image significantly hampers the development of youth programs and educational integration. Educational institutions and parents frequently view the sport as an unsuitable environment for minors, creating a bottleneck for grassroots participation. This restriction limits the physical infrastructure available for cultivating young talent compared to other disciplines. For instance, according to the Junior Darts Corporation, in 2024, there were approximately 50 accredited academies operating across Britain. This figure represents a relatively small footprint for a major sport, illustrating how the cultural stigma directly constrains the growth of the essential youth pipeline required for long-term market sustainability.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of AI-powered performance analytics and coaching applications is revolutionizing the consumer segment by digitizing the traditional home setup. Unlike the venue-based entertainment driving the hospitality sector, this trend focuses on individual player development through computer vision systems that automatically track scoring, averages, and checkout efficiency without manual input. Manufacturers are capitalizing on this demand by integrating broadcast-quality tracking into consumer-grade products to enhance training efficacy. According to Engadget, January 2025, in the 'Target Darts is bringing tech smarts to the game' article, Target Darts introduced its Omni auto-scoring system priced at 449.95 pounds, which utilizes high-definition cameras to deliver real-time match data and coaching insights directly to mobile devices.

The adoption of esports streaming models for professional tournaments is fundamentally altering the sport's commercial structure and global appeal. To compete with digital-native sports and shed the industry's historical "pub sport" stigma, governing bodies are aggressively increasing stakes and enhancing production values to secure long-term media rights. This shift towards a high-value professional ecosystem is evidenced by unprecedented financial injections into tournament infrastructures designed to elevate the sport's status. According to the Professional Darts Corporation, March 2025, in the 'Biggest prize money increase in PDC history confirmed' report, the organization announced a record prize fund of 5 million pounds for the 2025/26 World Darts Championship, effectively doubling the financial incentives compared to previous seasons to attract international talent.

Segmental Insights

The Steel Tip Darts segment constitutes the fastest-growing category in the global market, fueled by the rising prominence of professional competitive events. The Professional Darts Corporation has significantly expanded the sport's reach through high-profile tournaments that exclusively utilize steel tip equipment. This media visibility encourages widespread adoption among amateur players who wish to emulate professional standards. Consequently, there is increasing consumer preference for traditional equipment that aligns with the official regulations of major international competitions, thereby driving sustained expansion in this specific market sector.

Regional Insights

Europe holds the largest share of the global darts market due to widespread popularity and a mature professional infrastructure. The region’s dominance is reinforced by the extensive reach of the Professional Darts Corporation, which organizes major televised tournaments that drive consumer engagement. Additionally, a strong cultural tradition of the sport in countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany sustains consistent demand for equipment. This integration of high-level competition with broad amateur participation establishes Europe as the principal region for market expansion and revenue generation.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Red Dragon Darts celebrated a major corporate milestone by launching a limited edition collection to commemorate its fiftieth anniversary. The manufacturer introduced the "50 Year Classics" range, which involved the re-engineering and release of four iconic barrel designs from its extensive archives to celebrate its heritage. This product campaign was accompanied by heritage-led storytelling and digital content designed to honour the company's half-century of craftsmanship. The Managing Director stated that this release paid tribute to the brand's history of precision engineering while signaling its continued evolution in the global market.
• In May 2025, Unicorn Darts announced a strategic partnership with Senior Darts England, becoming the official board sponsor for the organization for the subsequent twelve months. This collaboration was established to support and revitalize competitive opportunities for players over the age of fifty, reinforcing the brand's dedication to inclusivity within the sport. The agreement ensured that the manufacturer's premium dartboards would be utilized in all associated tournaments, providing enhanced resources and professional-grade equipment to participants. The initiative aimed to increase participation rates among senior players while strengthening the company's connection to the grassroots community.
• In October 2024, Winmau solidified its position in the professional circuit by signing a landmark ten-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the World Masters. This strategic collaboration with the Professional Darts Corporation involved a radical rebranding of the iconic tournament, which returned to the calendar with a new format. The deal ensured that the company's industry-leading equipment would be used exclusively throughout the competition. The Managing Director of Winmau emphasized that this long-term partnership aimed to bridge generations of darting excellence and restore the prestige of one of the sport's most historic events.
• In September 2024, Target Darts unveiled a significant range of new products during its major launch event, introducing innovations designed to enhance player performance. The company released the "Omni" auto-scoring system, a breakthrough technology featuring a ring light with precision cameras that automatically tracks and records scores via an integrated app. Additionally, the manufacturer expanded its portfolio with the "Prodigy" edition darts, a high-precision tungsten set developed for a leading professional player. This launch highlighted the organization's commitment to combining advanced engineering with digital integration to modernize the sport for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Key Market Players

• Harrows Darts
• Target Sport Limited
• Winmau Dartboard Company Limited
• Bottelsen American Dart Lines, Inc.
• Shot Darts Limited
• Indian Industries, Inc.
• A-ZDarts
• Dart World Inc.
• The British Darts
• One80 Industrial Ltd

By Type	By Application	By Region
Soft Tip Darts Steel Tip Darts	Amateur Professional	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Darts Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Darts Market, By Type:

• Soft Tip Darts
• Steel Tip Darts

• Darts Market, By Application:

• Amateur
• Professional

• Darts Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE