The 2025 Celebrity Darts World Championship took place at the Maritim Hotel in Düsseldorf on Sunday evening, drawing hundreds of fans eager to witness and celebrate the unique darts showdown. The event was not just about the darts; it blended glitz and glamour as celebrities took to the oche with professional dart players.
Among the highlights of the night was the dynamic duo of former footballer Patrick Owomoyela, 45, and darting star Stephen Bunting, 39, who clinched the title of Celebrity Darts World Champions. Their victory came after a nail-biting final against Schlagersänger Vanessa Mai, 32, and World Champion Luke Humphries, 29.
The event also saw participation from top darts professionals, including Michael van Gerwen and Ricardo Pietreczko, alongside popular figures from German entertainment. The atmosphere was electric, with fans often decked out in colorful costumes, all aiming to support their favorites, making it a party-like setting.
For many, the absence of the young PDC World Champion Luke Littler, just 17 years old, was bittersweet. Littler, who had been the star of the previous championships, was unable to attend due to his parents enforcing some downtime following the pressures of his recent victory. Commentator Elmar Paulke noted, “The kid is 17 years young. He’s experiencing incredible hype right now. We’ve seen how emotional he’s been on stage.” Although he couldn't attend, Littler sent his regards via video message, assuring fans, “We will see each other soon.”
Perhaps one of the most talked-about performances of the night came from reality TV star Evelyn Burdecki, 36. Despite some struggle at the dartboard, where her arrows repeatedly strayed from the target, Burdecki maintained high spirits, buoyed by her enthusiastic fan base. Commenting on her less-than-perfect throws, she lightheartedly remarked, “The people are having fun. I think that's the main thing.” Throughout the evening, her focus turned away from the game after her elimination, as she expressed hopes of finding love, quipping, “I hope for Cupid's arrow—the right man coming along.”
The evening was not devoid of skill, as the competition heated up and the final contestants battled it out. After many tense moments, Owomoyela and Bunting sealed their championship run at 12:43 AM, finishing with cheers from the crowd and celebrating their triumphant moment.
The event did not fall short of entertainment either. Throughout the night, key personalities added their flavor to the competition. The eclectic mix included comedic legend Simon Gosejohann and the darting elite like Peter Wright and Martin Schindler. Their presence, alongside many others, kept the audience thoroughly entertained.
Despite the fun atmosphere, the competition reflected on the wider cultural heartbeat of darts, especially with exciting commentary highlighting the sport’s continuing rise. Having secured 0.59 million viewers ages 14-49 for ProSieben, the event managed significant market share, showing strong appeal, particularly among younger demographics.
But it was not enough to outshine the reigning juggernaut of German television for the evening. The ARD's crime series “Tatort” dominated with nearly 10 million viewers, but the Celebrity Darts World Championship still managed to carve its niche and secure memorable moments.
Patrick Owomoyela, beaming with pride post-victory, stated, “This was an unforgettable evening. Thanks to all the fans and to Stephen—a great partner.” His mention of the fans reflects the communal spirit intrinsic to the sport, emphasizing how darts unites diverse audiences.
So as the applause faded at the Maritim, and the lights dimmed, the 2025 Celebrity Darts World Championship firmly etched itself as not just another sporting event but rather as a grand spectacle of entertainment and camaraderie. Fans are left eagerly anticipating what next year might bring to this growing event.