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Darts stars are worried about playing the sport without alcohol in their bloodstreams when they travel to Saudi Arabia for the first time ever, according to a report.
On Sunday, it was announced that the PDC would hold its first tournament in Saudi early on next year, with the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters set to take place on January 19 and 20 2026 as part of the World Series.
The two-days competition comes after PDC president Barry Hearn had teased a closer relationship between the sport and the kingdom, and will almost certainly see the likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries take part.
But there will be one major absentee from the competition - alcohol.
Darts has been famed for fans hitting the booze to enjoy the night out, but Hearn told Sky Sports this week: 'If we can't drink in a country where we must respect their traditions and their laws, we don't drink.'
According to The Mirror, however, it's not just the fans who are concerned about the lack of alcoholic beverages that will be on offer, but the players, too, despite on-stage alcohol being banned in the sport since 1989.
Darts is heading to Saudi Arabia for the first time in January, where alcohol will not be consumed
Drinking is a huge part of darts' culture - with reports suggesting a number of players still rely on it
Alcohol consumption is banned on stage - Luke Littler, seen here drinking water, is not believed to be a drinker
There is said to be a drinking culture that still exists in darts. Players are banned from drinking alcohol on-stage in televised events, and could face fines and suspensions if they try and smuggle it on. They can, though, drink off-stage.
The Sunday Times have reported that one player was placed in the recovery position at a recent Pro Tour venue in Wigan, and another is said to have been found passed out in his chair in the practice room after consuming around 10 pints at a different event.
It is reported that a number of darts stars fear they cannot play well without consuming alcohol, suggesting that it helps with performance anxiety.
It has also been reported that some players have been arriving at venues up to four hours early so they can hit the bottle. And, despite alcohol consumption being banned on-stage at televised events, some players have reportedly been known to take a shot during breaks.
An insider told The Times: 'I don't think it's right that they provide an environment for players to drink in the way they do.
'I know one player who has to drink 10 pints before he plays, probably because it takes so much for them now to feel the influence. A lot of them are literally petrified by the thought of playing sober. It's a psychological thing. They feel they need it to perform.'
PDC chief executive Matt Porter, however, told Darts News in December last year: 'In the darts world today, you won't find any top-level players who benefit from alcohol. Other players who used to play darts are not significant.
'[Alcohol] has nothing to do with today's sport, but darts still has to do with the cliche of a pub sport where men with big beer bellies throw at a board.'
PDC president Barry Hearn has called for players to respect the Saudi Arabia culture when the sport heads to the kingdom
Players can be fined or suspended for smuggling alcohol on stage - here, James Wade is seen consuming water
The PDC have no plans to change their rulings, with the organisation also telling players that harsher punishments could be on their way if they are found to have broken any rules. Fines typically starts at £250 and can rise to £1,000, with four breaches ultimately leading to a year's suspension.
It is reported that the Darts Regulation Authority handed out 92 sanctions between 2020 and 2023, with most citing inappropriate, unprofessional or aggressive behaviour.
As a concept, alcohol can loosen muscles and lower anxiety, and a 1993 study found that although hand-eye co-ordination worsened soon after drinking, accuracy and balance improved.
But the stars would struggle to get their hands on any booze in Saudi Arabia. Hearn - who has already had heavy involvement with the introduction of snooker and boxing to the middle east - has called for the country's culture to be respected.
There seems to be two options for players for the tournament - bin the booze for two days, or don't take part in the competition.
And insider told The Times that 18-year-old world champion Littler is not among those who like a drink, but others may find their performances affected in three months.
