Major darts organizations, the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) and the Women’s Amateur Darts Circuit (WADC), have announced a dramatic reduction in annual membership fees to just £5 in the UK and €5 in Ireland, effective Thursday, August 27th. This bold move aims to eliminate the biggest financial hurdle preventing new players from entering competitive darts. Existing members will not be disadvantaged; their current memberships will be recalculated at the new, lower rate, extending their access. Crucially, all advertised prize funds, which amount to over £1 million annually, remain fully guaranteed and will be paid as published, as these funds are not reliant on membership income.
A Game-Changing Price Drop for Darts Enthusiasts
The Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) and the Women’s Amateur Darts Circuit (WADC) are making competitive darts more accessible than ever. From Thursday, August 27th, annual membership fees will plummet to a mere £5 in the UK and €5 in Ireland. This significant reduction applies across ADC UK, ADC Ireland, and the WADC.
Why the Change? Removing the “First Barrier”
According to the organizations, the primary goal of this price cut is to remove the single biggest obstacle that often stands between aspiring players and the opportunity to compete. ADC Director Scott Hunt emphasized, “The cost of a membership should never be the thing that decides whether someone gets a shot at this sport.” The aim is to create an open pathway for anyone interested, from local venue nights all the way to the ADC Global Championship.
Fair Play for Existing Members
The ADC and WADC are committed to ensuring that no existing member loses out due to this new pricing structure. Instead of simply dropping the price, every prior payment has been converted into extended membership time at the new, lower rate. This means:
- If you previously paid £20/€20 for an annual membership, you now have four years of membership.
- If you paid £10/€10, you now have two years of membership.
This thoughtful approach ensures that all members, new and old, end up paying the same rate per year of access, rewarding early supporters rather than penalizing them.
Boosting Women’s Darts
The timing of this reduction is particularly significant for the WADC, which has seen remarkable growth since its launch. With over 1,200 members and its Vault series hosted in more than 100 venues, the WADC is a thriving community. WADC Director Michelle Amos highlighted the impact for women considering the sport:
“Bringing membership down to a fiver takes away one more reason for someone to talk herself out of walking through the door.”
The WADC’s competitive program includes the Vault series, Winmau Championship regional events, and the Red Dragon National Singles Finals, all now more accessible.
Prize Funds Remain Strong
It’s crucial to understand that this price cut does not impact the prize money available to players. The ADC continues its substantial investment of over £1 million annually into grassroots prize funds. These funds are distributed broadly across regional tables, ensuring that rewards aren’t just concentrated among a few top finishers. Over 2,700 players qualified for the most recent National Finals cycle across various categories.
Both organizations have made it clear that none of this investment is funded by membership income. Therefore, the reduction in fees changes nothing about the money on the table for competitors.
Join the Revolution!
The new £5/€5 membership is available from August 27th at dartscircuit.com. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for amateur darts, aiming to foster greater participation and make the sport truly open to everyone.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
