The Premier League coming to Belfast is the most important and significant event of the darting year in Northern Ireland. We are in desperate need for more tournaments and exhibitions in this side of the UK and it seems the lack of darts throughout the year means everyone (including non-darts fan) flock to the Odyssey Arena in February to see the top players do what they do best. More events would improve the reputation of darts in this country and take away the stereotype of a night at the darts just being a 'drinking session'.
Last February, there was national outrage at the behaviour of the crowd inside the Odyssey during the Premier League. Newspapers and radio debates centred on it for the week that followed. Something needed to be done to prevent the fights and beer throwing in 2015 and some measures were clearly taken. The bar staff stopped selling alcohol after the third match which assured pints were drank instead of thrown and there was a significant increase in policing. I must say, these changes made a difference and made the night more enjoyable even though there were still some drunks that needed escorted from the building, but all in all, an improvement.
The PDC and the Odyssey Arena have clearly taken a step forward but they aren't quite there yet and more events are needed to solve this problem. It's not all gloom and doom though, the crowd during the first match of the night between Kim Huybrechts and Dave Chisnall were electric! There were plenty of "Stand up if you love the darts" chants and random MVG singing, and of course the 8 perfect darts from 'The Hurricane' nearly blew the roof off.
Personally, I look forward to the Premier League every year and I'm glad that Belfast still has a part to play in this great event, I hope it can continue to take steps in the right direction and hopefully expand for many years to come.
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