Relentless Schedule and Mental Health Challenges Define Professional Darts Tour
A recent feature in The Guardian set during the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace highlights the brutal nature of the professional darts tour, marked by a relentless schedule, merciless crowds, and intense pressure on players.
The article reveals the physical and emotional toll on competitors, citing an incident where Cameron Menzies suffered a deep cut after punching a drinks stand following his loss to Charlie Manby. Beyond physical injuries, players face loneliness, social media scrutiny, and constant mental-health struggles. World champion Nathan Aspinall warned that many participants are suffering mentally.
While the sport offers lucrative rewards at the top level—with the world champion prize hitting £1 million and top-64 players earning six-figure sums—the financial reality is stark for lower-ranked players. Most competitive darts occurs at floor events in smaller venues, where guaranteed pay is scarce, making the tour a continuous grind.
Parenthood and family commitments add further complexity to players' lives. Notable players including Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, and James Wade have discussed the challenge of balancing family responsibilities with professional demands. Alan Soutar exemplifies this balance as he manages his darts career alongside a full-time job as a firefighter.
The article calls for increased pastoral care and mental-health support for players. It also notes that expansions of the tour—including the World Series, Euro Tours, and Premier League—have increased demands, requiring players to spend more time away from home.
Overall, the feature provides a nuanced look at the sacrifices and challenges faced by professional darts players in what is often perceived as a glamorous sport.
