A Teenager Making Waves in the Eccentric World of the Global Darts Championship

Five men in shimmering suits are trailing behind a group of ghostbusters, indicating that the World Darts Championship is underway. The event takes place at the historic Alexandra Palace in North London and attracts thousands of spectators eager to witness the intense and unusual experience of watching the top darts players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy.

During the Christmas period and into the New Year, the competition creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Instead of pints, alcohol is served in pitchers, and the crowd is encouraged to participate like a pantomime, giving them a chance to let loose for a few hours. This year, the event has garnered even more attention due to the exceptional performances of the sports new superstar, Luke Littler.

At just 16 years old, this rising star was virtually unknown until his debut at this year's championships. Now, he has captured the public's imagination by becoming the youngest player to ever reach the tournament's semifinals. Fresh out of school, the teenager has quickly become the face of this year's competition, which has once again delivered plenty of drama.

Fans celebrate at the PDC World Darts Championship in London.

Kin Cheung/AP

To fully understand this annual feast of darting excellence, its advisable to embrace the art of fancy dress.

Spectators arrive in wildly imaginative costumes, causing confusion as they gather at the entrance. On any given day, you might see Power Rangers chatting with a group of Minions, a man dressed as a dart board taking photos of human-sized furry animals, and Superman struggling to pull up an e-ticket on his phone.

An amazing atmosphere

The choice of attire reflects the carnival atmosphere which draws thousands of people to one of Londons most treasured entertainment venues every year.

Alexandra Palace, which opened 150 years ago, offers breathtaking panoramic views of London and now serves as a venue for a variety of cultural events, such as music concerts, firework displays, and theater performances. The grand Victorian structure, located on a hill in North London, has hosted legendary acts like the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Jay-Z, but in recent years has become best known for hosting darts events. Just as Wembley Stadium is known for soccer and Wimbledon for tennis, Alexandra Palace has become synonymous with darts.

The main sponsor's neon green branding boldly obscures the large murals that have decorated the grand hallways of the Palace for years. Meanwhile, the Great Hall, once the site of banquets, now hosts not-so-cheap but always cheerful fast food outlets serving greasy treats. "It's a fantastic atmosphere and an opportunity to have a few drinks. It's like a football match, but without any of the animosity," fan Richard Sampson, dressed as a ghostbuster, told CNN Sport as he explained his decision to attend with his partner and friends.

Fancy dress is the name of the game for those attending Alexandra Palace for the darts.

Zac Goodwin/PA Images/Getty Images

Every year, devoted darts fans make a pilgrimage to their beloved sporting event, exuding excitement from the entrance steps to the Palaces West Hall stage. They enthusiastically chant and watch the thrilling action with bated breath, ready to celebrate every moment.

Some people still doubt whether darts, a game popularized in English pubs during the 19th and 20th centuries, qualifies as a true sport due to the fact that players are not always in peak athletic condition and have historically indulged in drinking and smoking during professional matches. However, this outdated stereotype is contradicted by the intense drama of world championship darts, where players display remarkable precision under immense pressure, leading to thrilling battles that have significantly raised the sport's popularity in recent years.

The winner of this year's world championship will not only receive the Sid Waddell Trophy, named after the late broadcaster known as "the voice of darts," but also a share of the £2.5 million ($3.16 million) prize purse. This significant sum is partly due to television interest, as we signed a seven-year deal to broadcast darts matches on a dedicated channel in 2017.

Its just a party

Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) chairman Barry Hearn, now president of the organization, expressed the crucial role of We's support in the sports success, ever since the PDC was formed almost 25 years ago, when the broadcast deal was announced.

The show really gets going when the players make their entrance into the arena, accompanied by their chosen music, ramping up the already excited fans even more. In that moment, they are like rockstars, commanding the attention and adoration of the audience, much like David Bowie and Prince.

Luke Littler laughs with opponent Matt Campbell as he progressed into the last 16 of the World Darts Championship.

Warren Little/Getty Images

Teenage star Luke Littler, 16, makes history as unbelievable run at World Darts Championship continues

As the matches begin, the crowd erupts into cheers and the rhythmic sound of darts hitting their mark. The loudest cheers are heard when players score a perfect 180, prompting the crowd to throw their beers into the air.

The noise never seems to decrease, but only gets louder as the afternoon crowd leaves and the noticeably livelier evening session begins.

"Stand up if you love the darts" is the familiar rallying cry that marks the start of each session.

Littler Wonderland

Amidst the dancing fans, the players maintain their focus on the game. Some strive to tune out the surrounding noise, while others actively engage with the chants, using the crowd's energy to elevate their own performance.

As he walked here today, a wave of excitement and anticipation swept over Littler. "I can't believe I get to play on that stage again," he shared with CNN Sport before his third-round match. The rising star has taken the sports world by storm, effortlessly defeating opponents with far more experience to secure a spot in the competition's final four.

Ever since making a name for himself on the international scene following a remarkable junior career, Littler has witnessed a surge in his popularity - he now has tens of thousands more social media followers than he did previously.

Littler, 16, looks to make yet more history by becoming the youngest winner of the title.

Kin Cheung/AP

The global media has extensively covered his love for celebrating victories with kebabs, jumping on the Littler bandwagon. His rapid introduction to the professional darts scene has already caused controversy, as the youngster felt compelled to apologize for posing with a UK red-top newspaper.

Despite the overwhelming past few weeks, the teenager, who adores Xbox, has impressively maintained focus on his darts, delivering performances on stage that demonstrate incredible maturity.

When asked how he's handling the pressure of the crowd, he simply replied, "I love it."

The crowd is chanting and cheering, creating a wild atmosphere. It can be distracting as they chant your name, but you have to stay focused. Littler is now a top contender to win the trophy on January 3, but first needs to defeat former world champion Rob Cross in the semifinals on Tuesday.

The combination of dramatic sporting drama and collective silliness at Alexandra Palace is unmatched by few events. Fans, some intoxicated, leave the day breathless and eager to return to experience this unique sporting event in London once again.

At the close of the night, as the last dancer makes their way to the nearby bar, the majestic Alexandra Palace stands silent, marking the end of another lively day. The only evidence of the crowd's revelry is the scattered costumes left on its historic steps.