New darts centre opens amid rising popularity
It is hoped the new facility will help young people play the sport away from a pub environment.
Hangar 61 is the new home of the Junior Darts Corporation [BBC] A new darts centre, described as one of the best facilities of its kind in the world, has opened in Bristol. The former Patchway Sports & Social Club has been transformed into a venue called Hangar61 to serve the growing number of people participating in the sport. It will be used by a group called the Junior Darts Corporation, which was founded by former professional player Steve Brown.
Brown told BBC Radio Bristol he wanted to create a space where young people could learn to play darts in a non-pub environment. The Junior Darts Corporation started in Bristol in 2010 and now has up to 260 academies worldwide. Hangar61 will serve as the National Centre for the darting community as well as hosting darts academies, community coaching programmes and professional-level training.
"We've seen a trend of darts academies starting up, and not just in function rooms of bars, they're now in cricket clubs, football clubs, rugby clubs," said Brown. Luke Littler reached the World Championship final in 2024 at the age of 16 [PA Media] Steve Brown founded the Junior Darts Corporation in 2010 [BBC] This surge in the popularity of darts has been attributed to the rise of 19-year old Luke Litter, who reached the 2024 PDC World Final at the age of 16. A peak TV audience of 3.
7 million people watched the final and attracted the attention of a younger audience to a sport traditionally played by older men and often in pubs. "There's so many 10-year-olds out there now that want to play darts because of Luke Littler," said Brown. More from Bristol Two 'cultural icons' to be in city on same weekend Two children die in stabbings each month, study finds 'Heartbreak' as well-known glass company to close One of the Junior Darts Corporation's young talents, 11-year-old Jackson, described Littler as "amazing.