The Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) is launching the groundbreaking Ultra Darts League (UDL), a new televised city-team competition designed to elevate amateur darts players across the UK and Ireland. Kicking off in March 2027 with twenty founding teams, the UDL offers unprecedented opportunities for players to represent their cities, compete live on Pluto TV and ADC LIVE, and even includes a dedicated youth league (UDL 1217). With three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen as an ambassador and a major partnership with Winmau, this league is set to transform the amateur darts scene, promising city pride, fierce competition, and a pathway to top-tier venues.
What is the Ultra Darts League?
The Ultra Darts League (UDL) is an innovative new competition introduced by the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC). It’s a televised city-team league specifically created for amateur darts players throughout the UK and Ireland, offering them a significant platform to showcase their talent.
The league is set to begin in March 2027, featuring twenty founding city teams. These teams will be divided into North and South divisions, each comprising ten teams. The season will culminate in the UDL Finals in November, followed by the UDL 1217 Finals in December. Every featured match will be broadcast live, giving players national exposure on Pluto TV and ADC LIVE.
Nurturing Future Stars: The UDL 1217
A key component of the new initiative is the UDL 1217, a dedicated league for the most promising young darts players aged 12 to 17 in the UK and Ireland. This youth league aims to identify and develop future talent, providing a structured competitive environment. Young stars like Lewis Cook, Jayden Walker, and Jack Johnson were notably present at the launch event in Newcastle, highlighting the league’s commitment to youth development.
Endorsements and Partnerships
The UDL has already garnered significant support, with darts legend and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen named as a UDL Ambassador. This high-profile endorsement underscores the league’s credibility and potential impact. Furthermore, a multi-year partnership between Winmau, a leading darts equipment manufacturer, and the ADC has been confirmed. This partnership extends across the Ultra Darts League and the wider ADC circuit, providing crucial support and resources for the entire amateur darts community.
The Vision Behind the Oche
Scott Hunt, UDL Founder and Global Operations Director at the ADC, articulated an ambitious vision for the league, emphasizing accessibility, competition, and growth:
- Twenty founding cities, chosen for their strong darts community.
- All five team players on the oche simultaneously, creating dynamic gameplay.
- Live television coverage on Pluto TV and ADC LIVE.
- An accessible pathway for anyone to earn a team shirt with a £5 membership.
He eloquently stated, “For six years the ADC has built the ladder; tonight we have put a top on it.” Hunt emphasized the profound sense of city pride players will feel, the excitement of local derbies, and the intense competition of ten players vying for victory at once.
This is just the beginning, as the league plans to expand beyond twenty cities, offering more opportunities to more players. The ultimate long-term ambition is to host matches in Premier League stadiums, bringing amateur darts to iconic sporting venues.
Meet the Founding Teams
The inaugural season will feature twenty teams split across two divisions:
North Division:
- Scotland: Glasgow Shock & Aberdeen Force
- North East: Newcastle Reign, Middlesbrough Power
- North West: Manchester Mayhem, Carlisle Edge
- Yorkshire & Humber: Leeds Empire, Sheffield Rush
- Ireland: Dublin Fury
- Northern Ireland: Belfast Might
South Division:
- Wales: Cardiff Blaze, Wrexham Surge
- Midlands: Birmingham Forge, Stoke Terriers
- East of England: Norwich Royals, Colchester Legion
- South East & London: Portsmouth Armada, London Dynasty
- South West: Exeter Storm, Bristol Sonic
What’s Next for the UDL?
Fans and aspiring players can look forward to upcoming announcements regarding specific team rosters, detailed fixture lists, and information on how players can register to join this exciting new league. More details will be made available as the launch date approaches.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
