Thirteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Since the late 2000s, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) have created a circuit of live darts events in a variety of venues across the globe which has developed into a hugely popular multi-million pound television spectacle. The fans are one of the central focuses of the live events, with a variety of media outlets regularly showcasing commercialised, performative fandom. Although the popularity of the live PDC darts events has been highlighted in news media and by the likes of Chaplin (2009) and Davis (2018; 2020) in academia, the actual sites of live PDC darts events have not been explored. Via qualitative research, using a number of ethnographic methods when attending live PDC darts events across three seasons. This presentation analyses the intricacies of the physical PDC darts arena as an event space, explaining the structure of the PDC darts arena and how these venues allow fans to create the revered atmospheres across sites in different continents. Explaining the structure and nuances of the PDC darts arena, compared to purpose-built sports stadia, helps to ascertain why the PDC, as a governing body, rely on the performances of the fans to create an atmosphere to continually develop their product.