Do Brits Just See Darts as a Game? An Insightful Survey Reveals

New research has shown that over half of Brits don't see darts as a legitimate sport. A poll involving 2,000 adults revealed that 56 per cent refuse to acknowledge it as such, with nearly a third saying this is because it lacks any physical exertion and is more associated as being a leisurely activity.

Scepticism Towards Darts' Sporting Status

The survey also highlighted scepticism towards trying to include darts in the Olympic Games, with 40 per cent dismissing it as merely a game. Similar doubts extend to activities like axe-throwing and snooker. Poker and chess are also considered by most as not fitting within the sports category.

A Closer Look at Darts as a Sport

Contrastingly, TV personality and darts enthusiast Bobby Seagull insists that underestimating darts is a misake, noting it shares key features with top-tier sports. Despite darts players not fitting the conventional image of elite athletes, Seagull highlights their "unbelievable concentration," intense commitment to perfecting their craft, and mental arithmetic skills that surpass the average person's abilities.

Public Perception vs. Reality

The study also found that 77 per cent of Brits have actually given darts a go, but only a small 3 per cent would describe their skills as "excellent." In contrast, 40 per cent consider their ability to be "average," with 11 per cent confessing they're downright "terrible." Among those who play regularly, 30 per cent confessed they need to improve their accuracy, while one in five acknowledged the need to enhance their consistency.

A representative for Lottoland said: "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. 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."