The world of darts is rarely short on drama, but recent years have brought a whirlwind of change, controversy, and innovation to the sport—both on and off the oche. From groundbreaking achievements by female players to the bold expansion of tournaments into new territories like Saudi Arabia, darts is in the midst of a fascinating evolution. Let’s take a closer look at the latest headlines shaking up the darts community.
First, there’s the remarkable journey of Anna Dobromyslova, a Russian darts player whose career has been marked by both historic triumphs and significant setbacks. Dobromyslova etched her name into the sport’s history books in 2009 when she became one of the first women to defeat a male opponent in a televised darts tournament, edging out Vincent van der Voort 5-4 at the Grand Slam of Darts. This victory came just four years after Deta Hedman’s own trailblazing win, and it set the stage for Dobromyslova’s rise as a force in the men’s game.
Her participation didn’t come without controversy. In 2008, Dobromyslova accepted an invitation to compete on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit, a move that sparked debate among darts’ old guard. Former world champion Eric Bristow voiced his skepticism to BBC London, saying, “There are a lot of top players who are not very happy about it. They are paying a lot of money to travel around the world and she's just been invited.” Bristow added, “If Anastasia wants to join the PDC, travel the world earning ranking points and earn her way through then we could have five women in it next year and no one could complain.”
Despite the criticism, Dobromyslova pressed on. She opted not to defend her BDO title and instead took on Remco van Eijden in the preliminary round of the 2009 PDC World Championship at the iconic Alexandra Palace. Though she fell 5-3, she became only the second woman in history to compete against a male player in the tournament, further breaking down barriers for women in darts.
Dobromyslova spent two years on the PDC circuit before returning to the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the World Darts Federation (WDF) in 2011. Her comeback was nothing short of spectacular—she claimed three world championships, cementing her legacy as one of the most decorated female players in the sport. Her trophy-laden run inspired countless women to pick up darts and chase their own dreams on the big stage.
In 2018, Dobromyslova made a much-anticipated return to the PDC World Championship, facing Ryan Joyce in the first round. Ahead of the match, she told Metro, “I prefer playing against men because they try so hard against you. Some play even better, but some feel too much pressure, but it’s always nice to compete against men.” She added, “Some players can be a bit intimidated, some will step up another gear; you just have to see how lucky you are.” Despite her enthusiasm, Dobromyslova suffered a 3-0 defeat to Joyce, but her presence on the stage continued to challenge perceptions and inspire fans.
However, Dobromyslova’s career has faced significant hurdles in recent years. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the WDF imposed a sweeping ban on Russian and Belarusian players, citing a resolution by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The WDF’s March 2022 announcement stated that Russian and Belarusian players and officials would be barred from all WDF events and ranked tournaments “with immediate effect and until further notice.”
Nearly two years on, the WDF’s stance remains unchanged. After reviewing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the federation decided to uphold the suspension. Their statement clarified, “It is also important to understand that, as detailed in the WDF Bye-Laws, a person can play under the flag of their current residence provided that they have resided within that national entity for at least three years and haven’t played for a WDF Member Darts Body of his/her nationality or another WDF Member Darts Body for at least three years.” As of October 2025, SPORTbible reported that the WDF continues to monitor the situation and will advise of any changes as they arise.
Despite these obstacles, Dobromyslova remains active on the circuit. She featured in the 2024 Women’s World Matchplay, facing Fallon Sherrock, and also competed in the PDC Women’s Series, where she lost to Angela Kirkwood. Her determination remains unwavering, even as administrative hurdles threaten to overshadow her contributions to the sport.
While Dobromyslova’s saga unfolds, the world of darts is also turning its eyes eastward. In a bold move, the PDC World Series Tour is set to hold its first-ever tournament in Saudi Arabia on January 19-20, 2026, at Riyadh’s 1,000-capacity Global Theater. The event has already generated considerable buzz, with top players like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries expected to compete.
What’s really got fans talking, though, is the promise of a “crazy concept” for the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, as teased by Turki Alalshikh. Drawing inspiration from the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship’s golden ball bonus, speculation is rife about what innovations might be introduced. Ideas floated include a million-pound bonus for a perfect nine-darter (167, 167, 167)—a feat never achieved in professional competition—or perhaps making the bullseye gold and awarding bonuses for specific high-scoring finishes like a 170 or a three golden bullseye 150 checkout.
The event’s unranked status gives organizers the freedom to experiment, and suggestions have ranged from introducing a Quaddro style dartboard to completely reimagining the traditional round board. As one columnist put it, “There was an April Fool’s joke from Blue Square, the old betting company, many years ago ahead of the UK Open when they said the board was going to be square! A few of us were fooled by it for a few minutes at least and were starting to get excited about the fact that double 12 could be vertical!”
Of course, the move to Saudi Arabia has not been without controversy. Some fans wonder how the atmosphere will compare to the raucous, beer-fueled scenes of UK venues like Ally Pally, especially given Saudi Arabia’s strict no-alcohol policy and a more understated approach to sports spectating. Yet, as the columnist noted, “The players aren’t bothered at all, so you can expect more great performances from them like we’ve seen in other quieter venues like Bahrain in the past couple of years.”
Indeed, darts’ expansion into new regions and cultures is part of a broader trend in global sports, with Saudi Arabia recently hosting major events in boxing, tennis, golf, Formula One, and snooker. The 2026 event is poised to showcase not only top-tier darts but also the sport’s adaptability and universal appeal.
As the calendar turns toward January 2026, anticipation is building for what could be one of the most innovative tournaments in darts history. Whether it’s the next chapter in Anna Dobromyslova’s storied career or the debut of a “crazy concept” in Riyadh, one thing’s for sure: the sport of darts is embracing change, and fans everywhere are watching closely to see what comes next.