Target Darts, a leading dart manufacturer, has announced an exciting new partnership with Powerleague, the UK’s premier small-sided sports provider. This collaboration aims to significantly expand the reach of darts, with a bold goal to triple the number of participants and inspire millions to pick up darts for the first time by 2030. Key to this initiative will be the installation of ‘Target Dartzone’ experiences across 20 Powerleague venues, making the sport more accessible and engaging for communities nationwide.
At a recent media event in London, Target Darts unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Powerleague, a move set to transform the landscape of recreational darts. This alliance will see the introduction of dedicated ‘Target Dartzone’ areas in 20 Powerleague locations across the UK, offering a modern, connected darts experience to a wider audience.
Target Darts’ vision extends beyond just selling equipment. The company is making a substantial investment in technology with an ambitious long-term goal:
- To triple the number of people playing darts.
- To inspire millions to discover and pick up darts for the very first time by 2030.
This partnership with Powerleague is a crucial step towards achieving these objectives, leveraging Powerleague’s extensive network and community engagement.
Powerleague: Expanding Beyond the Pitch
Powerleague has long been synonymous with five and seven-a-side football, providing popular facilities for grassroots sports. In recent years, the company has diversified its offerings, successfully investing in Padel and Netball courts. They also have plans to introduce cricket facilities in the near future, continually striving to offer a broader range of activities to their community.
A Partnership for Growth and Development
The collaboration between Target Darts and Powerleague is multifaceted:
- New Dartzone Installations: ‘Target Dartzone’ experiences will be installed in 20 Powerleague venues, starting with Powerleague Birmingham on August 24th, with a wider rollout planned throughout 2026. These zones will provide state-of-the-art darting facilities.
- Youth Development: Powerleague will become an official venue partner for Target Darts’ youth development programmes. This initiative will make darts more accessible to younger players and deliver structured experiences for individuals of all ages and abilities, fostering new talent.
Voices from the Leaders
James Tattersall, CEO of Target Darts, highlighted the current surge in darts’ popularity: “Darts is enjoying significant growth at the moment, and we’re creating more opportunities for people to discover and enjoy the sport. Our partnership with Powerleague allows us to bring modern, connected darts experiences into communities across the UK at scale.” He further added, “We are adding another competitive and entertaining dimension to the small-sided football experience, creating new spaces where players can compete against each other on and off the pitch.”
John Gillespie, CEO of Powerleague, echoed the enthusiasm: “We’re always looking at ways that we can enhance the experience and give more opportunities to our Powerleague community, and our partnership with Target Darts is our next step in this. As with small-sided football, padel and the other sports we currently offer, darts is such a great activity for bringing people together in a fun and sociable environment, and that’s across different ages and abilities. And in all of this, if it means that we can support in finding the next generation of talent that have been inspired by the likes of Luke Littler, it really is a win-win.”
This strategic alliance promises not only to boost participation in darts but also to integrate it seamlessly into existing community sports hubs, making it easier for enthusiasts and newcomers alike to engage with the sport. The initial Dartzone in Powerleague Birmingham opens its doors from August 24th, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for darts in the UK.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
