When Does The Darts Final Start

You know that moment when you’re three pints deep at the pub, squinting at a tiny dartboard, and someone shouts, “When does the darts final start?” It’s the burning question of the holiday season, right up there with “Where did I put my keys?” and “Why is my uncle singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ again?” The answer, my friend, is not just a time—it’s a cultural event that requires its own weather forecast.

First, let’s get the boring bit out of the way. The PDC World Darts Championship final typically starts around 8:00 PM GMT on a specific January date—usually the first weekend of the new year. But don’t trust your calendar. Trust the darts gods, because the start time is more of a suggestion than a rule. It’s like telling a toddler they have to go to bed—they’ll find a way to delay it by at least an hour.

Why 8 PM? Because Darts is a Glorious Spectacle

Eight PM isn’t just a time; it’s a vibe. It gives the crowd enough time to get properly warmed up—emotionally and chemically. By the time the players walk on, the audience is already a human smoothie of beer, excitement, and questionable fashion choices. Think Hawaiian shirts, elf costumes, and a man dressed as a giant dartboard. That’s your average final.

Here’s a surprising fact: the first televised darts final in history didn’t start until way past midnight. That’s right—in the 1970s, players finished their pints, agreed on a time, and then started throwing. We’ve evolved. Now we have a schedule, a TV deal, and a guy whose job is literally to whisper “180” into a microphone. Progress, baby.

But Wait—What About the Leg Lengths and Break Times?

Here’s where it gets tricky. Unlike a football match, darts doesn’t have a fixed end time. The final is a best-of-13 sets, but each set has legs, and each leg can last thirty seconds or ten minutes. Imagine trying to predict when a cat will finish eating a bowl of tuna—it’s that volatile. One player might hit a nine-dart finish in two minutes; the other might take a bathroom break, contemplate existence, and then hit a double-top.

The actual start time can also slide if the semi-finals run long. In 2023, the final started forty minutes late because the previous match had more drama than a soap opera. The crowd didn’t care. They just chugged more beer and started a chant about “walking in a Winterland.” So, if you’re planning a party, tell your guests it starts at 7:30 PM. That way, even a 9 PM delay feels on time.

The Exact Date: January 3rd (Usually)

Mark your calendars for January 3rd if you’re in the UK. But wait—January 3rd is a Tuesday sometimes, or a Thursday. The PDC likes to keep you guessing, like a magician with a dart. They’ve also been known to move it to January 2nd if a bank holiday interferes. The only constant is that it’s never on a Monday. Why? Because Mondays are for regretting what you did on Sunday, not for watching tiny missiles hit a sisal target.

Here’s a wild fact: the longest darts final in history lasted over 80 minutes for a single set. That’s longer than some entire movies. If you’re tuning in from the U.S., that’s roughly the time it takes to watch two episodes of The Office. But instead of Jim’s smirk, you get a man in a sparkly vest sweating through his third shirt of the night. Glorious.

What About the Warm-Up Acts?

Before the final, you get the Walk-Ons. These are not optional. Each player picks a song—usually a rock anthem or a pop banger—and struts to the stage like a peacock on caffeine. Phil Taylor used to walk on to “The Power” by Snap!, which is ironic because he didn’t need a song—he was the power. Today, you’ll hear everything from AC/DC to Beyoncé. It’s a mini concert before the main event. Don’t skip it.

And then there’s the introductions. The announcer, with a voice like a lion with a cold, bellows each player’s name and nickname. “And the challenger… ‘The Snakebite’ Peter Wright!” The crowd roars. A woman in a snake hat yells “C’mon, Peter!” He then walks to the oche, adjusts his mohawk, and throws a dart that lands with the force of a small meteor. That is how a final begins.

The Golden Rule: Don’t Trust Your TV Guide

Your streaming service, your cable box, your grandma’s newspaper—they all lie. The official start time is always “approximately 8:00 PM,” but the real start is when the player’s feet hit the stage. I once saw a match where the final started at 9:15 PM because the crowd was too busy doing the “Nani Nani” dance. The ref just shrugged. “Let them finish,” he said, and three hundred people did a conga line. True story.

So, when does the darts final start? Whenever it damn well pleases. But if you want to be safe, pour a drink at 7:30 PM, order a pizza, and put on your best Hawaiian shirt. The final will happen. You’ll see a grown man hit a double 18 to win a million pounds. And you’ll laugh, because you know the real start time was the friends we made along the way—and the fact that you’re now three sheets to the wind by 10 PM. Enjoy the darts.