No booze, just bullseyes: darts heads to Saudi Arabia
The The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) will take its World Series of Darts to Riyadh in 2026, but fans will have to enjoy the action without a drink in hand.
The BBC has reported that Saudi Arabia will host its first Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) event in January 2026 – but alcohol will be strictly off the menu.
Darts heads to Riyadh
The two-day tournament, part of the World Series of Darts, will take place on 19 and 20 January at the Global Theater in Riyadh. World champion Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries are expected to compete.
Unlike most global darts events, where lively crowds are fuelled by pints and singing, the Saudi competition will be subject to the kingdom’s strict no-alcohol regulations. The BBC found that no alcohol will be available for sale at the 1,000-capacity venue.
Reactions on social media were mixed, with some questioning what a “sober” darts crowd might look like.
“We must respect their laws,” says Hearn
PDC president Barry Hearn told Sky Sports, as quoted by the BBC: “If we can’t drink in a country where we must respect their traditions and their laws, we don’t drink.”
Partner Content
The event will be part of Riyadh Season and run in partnership with Matchroom Sport, headed by Hearn’s son, Eddie. The same venue previously hosted the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in December, which featured a $1 million (£745,000) golden ball bonus for a 167 clearance.
Expanding the world series
The 2026 World Series of Darts will begin with the Bahrain Darts Masters from 15–19 January before heading to Saudi Arabia, followed by events in Denmark, the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands for the Finals.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, has said he wants to bring a “crazy concept” to darts as part of the kingdom’s growing portfolio of global sports events.
Saudi Arabia has been widely accused of “sportswashing” in recent years, using its investment in sports such as Formula 1, golf, and boxing to bolster its international image ahead of hosting the 2034 men’s football World Cup.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s UK ambassador Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud confirmed that alcohol would not be sold anywhere during the World Cup, including in hotels.
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