A poll of 2,000 adults found 56% believe darts doesn’t qualify as a sport because it’s associated more with leisure than a competition
Bobby Seagull asks the British public what they think of Darts
More than half of Brits don’t believe darts qualifies as a sport, new research has revealed. A survey of 2,000 adults found 56% are unwilling to class it as such, with nearly a third (29%) citing its lack of physical exertion, while 27% associate it more with leisure than competitive sport.
A significant number of respondents also objected to darts being included in the Olympic Games as 40% view it as “just a game” rather than a sport. The findings show the public has similar reservations about activities like axe-throwing and snooker. For 41%, even debating whether darts is a sport is considered “controversial.”
Meanwhile, poker (69%) and chess (63%) top the list of games many Brits feel don’t belong in the sports category.
However, TV presenter and avid darts fan Bobby Seagull believes dismissing darts as just a pub game is a big mistake. He argues the game shares many of the hallmarks of elite competition.
While darts players may not resemble typical elite athletes like footballers or swimmers, Seagull emphasized their “unbelievable concentration,” relentless dedication to refining their technique, and mastery of mental maths that most people would struggle to match.
Bobby has recently partnered with Lottoland, which conducted the research, to launch its PDC World Darts Championship slots game. He added: “Darts may still carry the image of being a casual pub game, [but] that perception overlooks the sheer level of commitment required to reach the top.”
“What really struck me was meeting the British public and seeing just how passionate and supportive so many people are about darts,” he added.
The research also revealed that 77% of Brits have tried their hand at darts, but only 3% consider their skills “excellent.” Meanwhile, 40% rate their ability as “average,” with 11% admitting they’re outright “terrible.”
Among regular players, 30% admitted they need to sharpen their accuracy, while one in five said they need to work on their consistency.
The transformative nature of darts over the years hasn’t gone unnoticed. A spokesperson for Lottoland explained: “Darts started as a pub game, which could be why people have this perception, but a lot has changed in the last 10 years.
“It has been racking up some unexpected fans since Luke Littler burst onto the scene in 2023 and since then, it has encouraged thousands to have a go and follow in his footsteps.”
They continued: ““Even though so many still don’t consider darts a proper sport, it’s interesting to see how the nation lacks the skills that professional players have.
“It’s incredibly hard to be accurate and consistent on a darts board, so it’s reassuring that even though many people don’t think it’s a sport, it still has the mental focus needed for more of a physical sport, like football.”