Darts Soars in France: Player Numbers Double Amid Growing Media Buzz

Darts is rapidly gaining popularity across France, with the number of licensed players in the French Darts Federation doubling from 1,700 in 2023 to 3,286 in 2025. This surge is driven by increased media exposure, particularly televised coverage of major competitions like the World Championships, which recently attracted 630,000 viewers on L’Equipe. The sport's demographic has diversified, now including more young players, women, families, and seniors, evidenced by tournaments such as the one in Seine-et-Marne featuring around 130 participants, including juniors and female competitors.

Clubs are experiencing unprecedented demand, with some unable to accommodate all new applicants, prompting efforts to secure municipal facilities to support especially young players. French darts stars such as 18-year-old Luke Littler and national representative Thibault Tricole have contributed to raising the sport’s profile. Despite this momentum, darts is not yet recognized as an official sport by the Ministry of Sports, a recognition the French Darts Federation continues to pursue vigorously.

According to sources, the sport was once considered fringe, but is shedding that image: "I used to be a drunk who threw three darts," says one player, illustrating how darts is evolving into a trendy competitive sport. The increased visibility and organizational efforts signal a transformative period for darts in France, with continued growth expected if official recognition and infrastructure support follow.