The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, but professional darts refused to be sidelined. Despite global lockdowns, the PDC swiftly innovated, launching the online Home Tour and, crucially, pioneering the ‘bubble’ concept for live events. This secured environment allowed top players to compete safely, keeping the sport alive and entertaining millions. This article delves into the meticulous setup and firsthand experiences within this groundbreaking ‘bubble’, revealing how darts not only survived but thrived amidst the crisis.
Darts Adapts: The Initial Response to a Global Crisis
The year 2020 started with electrifying darts, highlighted by the groundbreaking performances of Fallon Sherrock and the triumphant Peter Wright. However, this promising beginning quickly gave way to the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting the UK and the world significantly. Unlike many industries that paused, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) took immediate, decisive action.
To keep the sport active and engage its vast fanbase, the PDC launched the innovative Home Tour. This unique online competition saw professional players competing from their own homes, providing much-needed entertainment and a sense of normalcy for millions confined indoors. DartsWorld magazine, too, adapted rapidly, producing a fully digital issue with its team working remotely. This special edition featured Luke Woodhouse on its cover, celebrating his remarkable 9-darter achieved from his kitchen during the Home Tour – a true highlight of the lockdown era.
The ‘Bubble’ Concept: A Game-Changer for Live Darts
As the world cautiously attempted a return to some form of normalcy by July 2020, DartsWorld magazine was also undergoing a significant relaunch after being acquired by a group of passionate darts enthusiasts. It was during this period that the PDC took its boldest step: creating a secure, self-contained environment – the ‘bubble’ – to host live tournaments.
Issue 570 of DartsWorld provided a unique insight into this period, featuring a powerful piece by Lawrence Lustig, the PDC’s official photographer at the time. He detailed the extraordinary experience of professional darts operating under strict social distancing and government regulations. His account offers a timeless glimpse into a pivotal moment for the sport.
Inside the Darts ‘Bubble’: A Firsthand Account
Lawrence Lustig’s experience at the Summer Series in July 2020 revealed a world entirely new to professional sports. Held over five days at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, this event was designed to allow darts to return safely. Here’s a breakdown of what life was like inside this unprecedented setup:
- Strict Entry and Isolation: Upon arrival at the Marshall Arena complex, which includes the DoubleTree Hotel, participants were instructed to bring everything they needed for their entire stay. Once inside the ‘bubble’ and tested, there was absolutely no leaving – not even to retrieve a forgotten phone charger from a car. Any departure meant permanent exclusion.
- Arrival Protocols: Security personnel greeted arrivals, checking names against lists. Hotel staff then took temperatures, recorded details, and provided fresh face masks. After checking in and receiving a room key, everyone proceeded to a holding area.
- Mandatory COVID-19 Testing: Participants were escorted to their rooms where medical staff conducted full COVID-19 tests for all 229 individuals. Following the test, everyone returned to their designated rooms to await results. Lustig himself waited approximately 18 hours for his negative result.
- Room Service and Self-Sufficiency: During the isolation period, food orders were placed via phone from a special room service menu. Meals were delivered by staff in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), left outside the door in disposable containers with plastic cutlery. Unlike a regular hotel stay, rooms were not cleaned, towels were not replaced, and beds were not made by staff – all to maintain the integrity of the ‘bubble’. Fresh linen was available for self-service in open rooms on each floor.
- Life After a Negative Result: With a negative test result, participants were finally permitted to leave their rooms. After registration, they received an all-important blue wristband, signifying their clearance to move within the ‘bubble’. Richard North even provided impromptu piano entertainment during this stage.
- Arena Environment: Inside the Marshall Arena, a clearly marked one-way system was in operation, with strict social distancing enforced through numerous notices, signs, and sanitation points.
- On the Oche Adaptations: Due to a limited number of officials, losing players were often required to mark the next game on their board until the quarter-finals. Scoring pads and player tables were meticulously cleaned and disinfected between matches. A visible ‘safety zone’ was marked at the oche, and players brought their own water bottles, further minimizing contact.
The Success of the Summer Series
The Summer Series replaced several ProTour events that had been postponed during the lockdown. The format, featuring multiple boards with no live audience, was not entirely new to the players. Crucially, the extended layoff had evidently not dulled their skills, as the tournament showcased an exceptionally high standard of darts, including a couple of impressive nine-darters.
The ‘bubble’ concept proved to be an overwhelming success. The professionalism demonstrated by everyone involved, from players and officials to support staff, highlighted the resilience and strong position of PDC darts. This innovative approach not only allowed professional darts to continue but also set a benchmark for other sports navigating the pandemic. The darts world had indeed created a bubble that no challenge could burst.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
