The Darts World Championship 2025 has been igniting the atmosphere at London’s Alexandra Palace this December, creating electrifying moments for players and fans alike. The tournament is renowned not only for its thrilling matches but also for the iconic songs belted out by the lively spectators who fill the stands. With each session, the audience creates an unforgettable soundscape, underscoring the tension and excitement of the competition.
Renowned as the Darts anthem, "Chase the Sun" by Planet Funk becomes the soundtrack of the event, weaved through the pauses and ends of matches, elevasting the crowd's spirit. The simplicity of the chant, as fans joyfully exclaim, "Tö tö tötötööö tö tö tö tö tööö tö tö tö tö tööö oi oi oi!" transforms the atmosphere, particularly after fans have had their share of drinks. Other popular chants include "Yaya! Yaya Yaya!" and the adrenaline-pumping "Don’t take me home!" earning nods of approval from boggling dart enthusiasts.
On this momentous day—December 22— all eyes are on Martin Schindler, the German number one, who is set to enter the ring for his first match against Callan Rydz. Previously enjoying victories on the PDC Tour, Schindler’s debut match conjured up high expectations, especially after Rydz convincingly defeated Croatian competitor Romeo Grbavac with a 3-0 scoreline.
Spectators have been watching avidly on SPORT1, which has hosted the Darts World Championship for the 21st consecutive year, providing more than 122 hours of live coverage. So far, the media giant has attracted significant viewership; on this day, the peak audience reached 1.18 million, marking one of the highest ratings for the competitions.
Schindler’s match ended disappointingly with him losing 0-3 against Rydz. After the match, visibly frustrated, he conveyed, "It’s absolutely unsatisfactory" before adding, "I felt like I was throwing at doubles for the first time. It was truly catastrophic." Schindler highlighted the agonizing moment he missed the double-12 after launching eight perfect darts, which would have secured him the first set, showing the pressure cooker environment at the Ally Pally.
Meanwhile, the day also bore witness to other notable performances, including Joe Cullen's undeniably dominant showing against Wessel Nijman, ending at 3-0. Encountering the noisy and excited crowd, each player showcased their skills, all determined not to falter, as exiting the competition meant the end of their title hopes.
With the surprising scores continuing, legendary player Gary Anderson took the stage not only to challenge rising contenders but also to celebrate his 54th birthday. The crowd erupted with cheers, giving Anderson the booming support he has experienced throughout his lengthy career, solidifying him as one of the tournament’s prominent figures. "Winning or losing, it does not matter, but playing well is important," Anderson affirmed, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship.
Despite his success, he pointed out the daily grind of balancing family life and professional commitments as he looked back on his career. Activities outside of darts seem to keep his priorities diversified after becoming compelled with raising young children, causing him to pull back on participating as frequently as before.
This year for Anderson, though, has marked something of a renaissance. He reached several semifinals and quarterfinals at major events leading up to the World Championship and is viewed by experts as one of the top contenders for this year’s title again.
The tournament's unpredictability also saw standout performances from surprise underdogs, with Martin Schindler's shocking early flight coupled with exits from eleven top-32 players. These results showcase the competitive nature of this year’s championship aspirations. The shocking elimination of well-regarded competitors has set the stage, enhancing the spontaneous thrills for fans, who revel at this high-stakes environment and long-standing traditions celebrated by Darts enthusiasts.
Tomorrow marks another day filled with thrilling matches fans can catch live on SPORT1, ensuring the passion for darts continues with big names like Ricardo Pietreczko facing Gian van Veen and Florian Hempel battling Daryl Gurney. The fervor and anticipation resonate strong as players gear up to fight for the crown early next year.
With dedicated coverage across multiple platforms—including TV broadcasts, YouTube, and live streaming—fans will not miss out on the action as they frolic alongside their teams, contributing to the overall thrilling ambiance the Darts World Championship embodies.
It is clear, as the Darts World Championship 2025 continues, the passion for the sport has never been more palpable than it is now at London’s Ally Pally.
