Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Professional Darts Corporation has been forced to issue a clarifying statement after Nathan Aspinall suggested that spectators at the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters were “not there of their own accord.”
The world number 14’s candid comments about the atmosphere at the tournament’s opening night sparked controversy, prompting the PDC to publicly address his remarks and defend the event’s attendance.
The Controversial Comments
Speaking to YouTube channel Darts Now after his comprehensive 6-1 first-round victory over the Philippines’ Lourence Ilagan on Monday evening, Aspinall made revealing observations about the crowd at Riyadh’s 1,000-capacity Global Theater.
“There is definitely a long way to go,” Aspinall said when asked if the event could mark the start of a long-term relationship between the PDC and Saudi Arabia. “It’s certainly different. I’m not stupid. I feel like they weren’t all there of their own accord, shall we say, and it was quite a small venue.”
The 34-year-old’s comments appeared to suggest that at least some attendees had not chosen to attend the event voluntarily—a claim that immediately raised questions about how the tournament had filled its venue and whether spectators had been compelled or incentivized to attend.
“Everything needs to start somewhere,” Aspinall continued. “As long as people walk away from the week and are like, ‘You know what, we really enjoyed the darts’, and it gets good coverage. If the Saudi Arabian press talks highly of the darts then there is no reason why not.”
The Atmosphere Problem
Aspinall’s concerns extended beyond attendance, highlighting fundamental differences between the Saudi crowd and traditional darts audiences in the UK and Europe.
The opening day of the tournament was marked by a conspicuous lack of the raucous singing, chanting, and crowd participation that have become hallmarks of PDC events. The near-silence stood in stark contrast to venues like Alexandra Palace, where thousands of fans create an electric atmosphere.
“The only issue we had, because it is quite new out here, is you would throw a dart at treble 20 and they would clap when you still had another two darts in your hand,” Aspinall explained. “Or you would throw at double six and miss on the outside, and then they would clap.”
The unfamiliarity with darts etiquette led to awkward moments throughout his match. “That is why I kept laughing the whole game, to be honest, because it was quite funny,” Aspinall admitted. “I was laughing the whole game.”
Despite the unusual circumstances, he offered some positive reflections: “It was a lot better than I thought. There were a lot more people than I expected. Hopefully, it is the same tomorrow.”
The PDC Response
The Professional Darts Corporation moved quickly to address Aspinall’s comments, issuing a statement to The Telegraph that sought to contextualize his remarks while defending the event’s legitimacy.
“Nathan was reflecting on the fact that this was a first-of-its-kind darts event in the region, with many attendees experiencing live darts for the first time,” the PDC statement read.
“As with any new market, the atmosphere and crowd make-up can differ from long-established darts events such as those in the UK and Europe.”
Crucially, the statement directly addressed the implication that attendees had not voluntarily chosen to be there: “All spectators attended as ticket holders or guests, and we were delighted to see such strong interest in the PDC’s debut in Saudi Arabia.”
The careful wording—acknowledging both “ticket holders” and “guests”—suggests a mixed attendance model, with some paying spectators alongside invited guests, which is common practice for inaugural sporting events in new markets.
The Saudi Arabia Challenge
The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters represents the PDC’s first venture into the Kingdom, part of the broader Riyadh Season entertainment initiative backed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh.
The tournament comes with significant financial backing, offering the biggest prize pool for a nine-dart finish in PDC history—$100,000, which doubles to $200,000 if the player subsequently hits the bullseye with one extra dart.
However, the event faces unique challenges that distinguish it from traditional darts tournaments. Saudi Arabia’s strict alcohol regulations mean the tournament is entirely alcohol-free, removing a central element of the typical darts crowd experience in the UK and Europe.
World champion Luke Littler addressed the atmosphere after his own opening-round victory, diplomatically noting: “Obviously it is a very weird atmosphere, it is all new to us players. It is a very different environment but as long as you play well you are going to win 90 per cent of the time.”
Sportswashing Concerns
The PDC’s expansion into Saudi Arabia has been met with criticism from human rights organizations concerned about “sportswashing”—the use of major sporting events to improve the country’s international reputation while deflecting from its human rights record.
Saudi Arabia has invested billions in attracting high-profile sporting events, from boxing and football to Formula 1 and golf’s LIV series. Critics argue these ventures are designed to distract from issues including restrictions on women’s rights, treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, and freedom of expression.
The darts community’s reception to the Saudi events has been mixed. While some see lucrative opportunities and global expansion, others question whether the PDC should engage with a regime accused of serious human rights violations.
Aspinall’s honest assessment of the crowd—suggesting attendees may not have attended voluntarily—adds another dimension to these concerns, raising questions about the authenticity of interest in the sport versus manufactured attendance for promotional purposes.
The Contrast With Bahrain
Aspinall’s comments stand in notable contrast to the Bahrain Darts Masters, held just days earlier. While Bahrain also marked new territory for the PDC, the fourth edition of that tournament has established a more authentic following, with crowds demonstrating genuine knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport.
The Saudi event, by comparison, appeared to struggle with basic crowd engagement. Spectators unfamiliar with when to cheer, when to remain silent, and how to respond to specific moments created an awkward viewing experience both in person and on television.
This inexperience isn’t necessarily problematic for a debut event, but Aspinall’s suggestion that attendees “weren’t all there of their own accord” implies deeper issues beyond simple unfamiliarity with the sport’s conventions.
Corporate Hospitality vs. Genuine Fans
The “ticket holders or guests” distinction in the PDC’s statement hints at a potential explanation for Aspinall’s observations. Major sporting events in new markets often rely heavily on corporate hospitality and invited guests to fill venues, particularly when local interest hasn’t yet developed organically.
This practice isn’t unique to Saudi Arabia—inaugural events worldwide frequently utilize complimentary tickets, corporate packages, and promotional attendance to ensure venues appear full for television broadcasts and promotional materials.
However, such crowds typically lack the passion and knowledge of dedicated fans who have paid their own money and traveled specifically to watch the sport they love. This difference becomes glaringly obvious in darts, where crowd participation and atmosphere are integral to the experience.
Players Walking a Tightrope
Aspinall’s comments demonstrate the delicate position players find themselves in when competing in controversial new markets. Speaking too positively risks accusations of enabling sportswashing; speaking too critically could jeopardize lucrative opportunities and relationships with tournament organizers.
His carefully worded observations—”I’m not stupid,” “shall we say”—suggest awareness that his comments would generate attention and potentially controversy. The PDC’s swift response indicates the organization was indeed concerned about how his remarks might be interpreted.
Other players have been more diplomatic. Luke Humphries previously described the Saudi atmosphere as likely to be “respectful,” while Michael van Gerwen has focused on the competitive aspect rather than political or social considerations.
The Long-Term Question
The fundamental question underlying this controversy is whether Saudi Arabia can develop genuine grassroots interest in darts, or whether these events will always rely on manufactured attendance and corporate guests.
Aspinall acknowledged this uncertainty: “Everything needs to start somewhere. As long as people walk away from the week and are like, ‘You know what, we really enjoyed the darts’, and it gets good coverage.”
His hope—that positive coverage might spark authentic interest—represents the PDC’s best-case scenario. The organization is betting that repeated exposure will cultivate a real fan base in Saudi Arabia, much as it has in other emerging markets.
However, if future events continue to rely on guests who “weren’t there of their own accord,” the Saudi venture may struggle to justify itself beyond the immediate financial benefits.
The PDC’s Balancing Act
The PDC’s statement attempted to thread a careful needle—acknowledging that Saudi Arabia is a “new market” with different dynamics while insisting that attendance was legitimate and enthusiasm genuine.
“We were delighted to see such strong interest in the PDC’s debut in Saudi Arabia,” the statement concluded, framing the event as a success despite the evident atmosphere challenges.
Whether this “strong interest” translates into sustainable long-term engagement remains to be seen. The PDC has committed to the event as part of Riyadh Season, suggesting multiple editions are planned regardless of immediate fan development.
Moving Forward
The controversy highlights broader tensions as the PDC navigates global expansion. The organization clearly sees potential in Middle Eastern markets, with established events in Bahrain and new ventures in Saudi Arabia and previously in Abu Dhabi.
However, Aspinall’s candid assessment—and the PDC’s defensive response—suggests these markets present unique challenges that go beyond typical expansion hurdles.
The tournament continues Tuesday with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, all played in a single session. Whether the crowd’s understanding and engagement improves remains to be seen, but Aspinall’s comments have ensured that attendance and atmosphere will be scrutinized closely.
For now, the PDC has defended its Saudi venture while gently contextualizing Aspinall’s observations. But the underlying question persists: Can darts truly thrive in markets where spectators may not be attending entirely of their own volition?
The answer will determine whether the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters becomes an annual fixture with genuine local support, or remains a well-compensated but ultimately artificial addition to the World Series calendar.
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