From Pub Sport to Global Aspirations
From a small population of just 56,000, the Faroe Islands are rapidly emerging as a surprising force in the global darts scene. What was once a casual pub pastime has transformed into a serious sport, with dedicated players regularly traveling internationally to compete. Despite unique challenges like balancing professional fishing careers with intense training, the national darts federation is actively fostering local talent, strengthening league structures, and even hosting major events like the Europe Cup 2026. While professional tours remain a future aspiration, the islands are already producing promising youth players and have even claimed a memorable leg against darts sensation Luke Littler, signaling a vibrant future for Faroese darts.
Often recognized for their resilient football team, the Faroe Islands, with a population barely larger than a mid-sized town, are now making waves in another competitive sport: darts. What began as a casual pastime is quickly evolving into a serious endeavor, with Faroese players increasingly making their mark on the international stage.
Meet the Driving Force: Petur Bláberg
At the heart of this transformation is Petur Bláberg, the President of Dartsamband Føroya (DSF). A storage and purchase manager by trade, Petur’s journey into darts began seven years ago through a family invitation. Though he didn’t hit 180s from day one, he quickly caught the “darts bug,” leading him to become president of the national federation at just 32 years old – a fact that even impressed the World Darts Federation (WDF).
Petur frequently travels from his small village to the capital, Tórshavn, not only to play but also to ensure the growing darts community has all the resources it needs. His dedication reflects the broader commitment within the islands to elevate the sport.
Unique Challenges, Unwavering Dedication
The Faroese darts scene faces distinctive obstacles, largely due to the islands’ geography and economy.
- Balancing Work and Play: Many players work in industries like fishing, which often require them to be offshore for extended periods. This means they are sometimes unavailable for local competitions.
- Intense Local Play: The upside? When players are on the islands, they make the most of their time, bringing immense energy and participation to local events.
“Until about five years ago, darts was seen as just a corner-of-the-pub sport,” Petur explains. “But these days, it’s more widely accepted, and many people have boards up at home, maybe in the garage.” This shift in perception is crucial, even if not all home players join clubs.
The turning point came when the federation began to take international competition seriously. “Then, we started to take it more seriously, attending competitions around the world, mainly in mainland Scandinavia and Iceland, and people got to see what it was all about.”
The Commitment of International Travel
Participating in international tournaments is no small feat for Faroese players.
Consider the logistics: “Some local champions chose to go to Finland for the Finnish Open. And I think they left here on Monday morning, and they flew to Copenhagen and then to Finland, which took all Monday. They started playing Tuesday, and this went on for the whole week, and then they flew from Finland to Denmark on Sunday, and then from Denmark to the Faroes on Monday. So that’s effectively eight days away.”
This level of travel involves significant costs, personal sacrifice, and time away from family. Despite these challenges, Faroese players consistently turn up, often performing very well. While major international victories are yet to come, the top eight players frequently achieve averages in the 80s, sometimes exceeding 90 – scores that would win many matches. Adapting to the high-pressure psychology of major events takes time, which is why a Faroese player hasn’t yet joined the biggest professional tours.
The Road to Professionalism: A Balancing Act
Darts at the highest level offers substantial prize money, with professionals describing the potential earnings as “frightening.” However, this requires reaching the very top. For most players outside the elite Top 64, balancing darts with a full-time job is a necessity.
Achieving professional status demands an enormous commitment to training and competing. For adults tied to careers, especially those in essential industries like fishing, the demands of the Pro Tour can be a bridge too far. This makes longer-term professional aspirations more viable for youth players who don’t yet have families or career constraints, and some are already reaching standards close to the best English players in their age category.
Building from Within: The Federation’s Vision
For now, the focus is firmly on developing the sport at a local level. The DSF, led by a dedicated team of five board members, is committed to creating more opportunities for local competition.
Key Initiatives:
- Local Competitions: “Normally we have ten local competitions throughout the year,” says Petur.
- Signature Events: The annual Tórshavn Open and Faroe Islands Open are critical for growth.
- Sponsorship Growth: While the federation itself is seeking sponsors, individual clubs are attracting support, reflecting growing corporate awareness of darts’ potential.
- Hosting Major Tournaments: A significant milestone is the Europe Cup 2026, which the Faroe Islands will host – marking it as the biggest single-sport tournament ever held on the islands.
Recent Tournament Highlights (2025):
The 2025 tournaments, held at Glasir College, saw impressive competition and prize money of 85,200 DKK (approximately €11,400).
- Tórshavn Open Winners: Anna Forsmark (Sweden) and Corné Groeneveld (Netherlands)
- Faroe Islands Open Winners: Anna Forsmark (Sweden) and Corné Groeneveld (Netherlands)
While the winners were international, this is seen as a positive sign, demonstrating the growing interest from regional players in competing in the Faroes.
Future Strategies: Strengthening the Community
Given the close-knit nature of the islands, where “everyone knows everyone,” raising general awareness of darts isn’t the primary challenge. Instead, the focus is on deepening engagement and opportunity.
The federation is actively considering and working on an enhanced league structure to provide more consistent competitive play. While online play might offer an interim solution, the firm commitment is to develop local infrastructure, creating more face-to-face competition opportunities.
Inspiration from the Top
Just like in the UK, the Faroese are huge fans of professional darts, especially the PDC World Championship. Watching top players provides immense inspiration and motivation for both new and experienced players. While the WDF plays a crucial role in local development, the high production value of major PDC events is undeniable, driving interest and encouraging new players to pick up the sport.
A Legendary Leg and Future Hopes
Petur Bláberg, a fan of Luke Humphries and formerly Michael Smith, was asked the hypothetical “save the planet” throw question – who would he choose? His answer: Luke Littler, citing the young prodigy’s ability to perform under pressure. This choice is particularly poignant given a remarkable moment in Faroese darts history.
Before Luke Littler became a global sensation, a player from the Faroe Islands, Uni Árting, famously took a leg off him. This memorable achievement, though just a single leg, remains a testament to the emerging talent on these small islands and a source of immense pride.
The future of darts in the Faroe Islands is bright, driven by passion, dedication, and a clear vision for growth.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
