Darts Scores Soar, but Is the Game Truly Improving?
The realm of professional darts has witnessed a steady rise in the level of play, as evidenced by the impressive averages recorded in recent tournaments. However, the question remains: is this trend truly indicative of an overall improvement in the game?
In 2015, the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters made history, with Michael van Gerwen claiming the title for the third consecutive year. The event’s average score exceeded 100, a remarkable feat, as the eight best players in the world combined to win 100 legs in 15 darts or less. This level of play was exceptional, with only five other PDC tournaments managing to surpass the 98-average mark.
The driving force behind these high tournament averages was undoubtedly Van Gerwen, who recorded an astounding 21 averages of 110+ at TV tournaments between 2015 and 2017. The European Tour has also witnessed a surge in 100+ averages, with the first six tournaments of 2024 producing 21 such scores, a significant increase from the 16 recorded in the 19 tournaments held in 2015 and 2016.
“The highest tournament averages have increased slightly over the years, but the improvements are primarily due to the depth of the participant field.”
However, the picture is not entirely rosy. While the highest tournament averages have increased slightly over the years, the improvements are primarily due to the depth of the participant field. The bulk of the legs played in these events come from Friday victories and eventual defeats, rather than the tournament winners’ averages.
Furthermore, while the high Players Championship average of 93.79 has held up for four years, tournament averages have declined from 2023 to 2024. Interestingly, the averages of first-round losers have risen, indicating that even if players aren’t winning as much as they used to, they are finding it increasingly challenging to advance past the early rounds, regardless of the setting or prize money.
This dynamic suggests that while the top players continue to push the boundaries of excellence, the overall level of competition in the sport may not be uniformly improving. The depth of talent and the ability to consistently perform at the highest level remain key challenges for darts players.
As the sport continues to evolve, it will be crucial to monitor these trends and analyze the factors contributing to the changes in darts scores and performances. Only then can we truly assess whether the game is truly improving or if the high-profile displays of brilliance are merely the exceptions in an increasingly competitive landscape.
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