'No need for Olympic darts...demand for our tickets is like Glastonbury'

FEW knew it at the time, but January 2007 was a seismic month for darts.

- Matt Verri

Luke Littler was born and soon taking aim at a magnetic board, just a few weeks after what proved to be the final World Darts Championship staged at The Circus Tavern.

The tournament moved from the Essex nightclub to the Alexandra Palace a year later, kick-starting its transformation into one of the most popular stops on the sporting roadshow.

Matt Porter, chief executive of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), has helped shape much of that change, from the modest starting point he remembers in 2004.

"We had one event outside the UK, which was Las Vegas, and effectively for Brits to go on holiday and watch the darts," says Porter.

Passports are now essential. Littler has played in New Zealand, Australia and America in the past few months alone. It is no surprise that players are eyeing further opportunities, especially after events in Paris this summer.

One particular breakdancing routine was enough for Michael Smith to ask on social media why darts is not an Olympic sport.

"I can see why, from a player's perspective, the prospect of winning a gold medal would be extremely appealing." says Porter.