What does darts cost?

The basic kit

To get started you need three things: a set of steel-tip darts, a sisal board and wall protection. All three are purchases that last for years. Every dart shop has a beginner set; it only gets more expensive once you specifically look for tungsten darts, brand boards with thin wire or a complete cabinet. The wear parts are flights, shafts and points, which you replace several times a year; replacements cost little, but belong in every dart case.

• One-off: darts, board, wall protection or mat, dart case
• Ongoing: flights, shafts, points, dart sharpener
• Optional: lighting, cabinet, electronic counter or scoring app

Club, player licence and league

Clubs set their membership fees themselves; annual or monthly fees are common, often with reduced rates for young people, students and families. Anyone playing in a league needs a player licence in most associations, with a small annual fee; your club registers you for it. You will find the exact terms on the club page, or you can ask at a trial session.

Tournaments

Tournaments are funded through an entry fee, which usually makes up the prize money. Hobby and club tournaments are cheap, ranking and open tournaments more expensive. Every tournament page on DartCloud shows the entry fee and the payment method; for tournaments with DartCloud registration you can mark “I have paid” once you have transferred the money.

Where beginners can save

• Try out different darts at the club first, then buy
• One good sisal board instead of several cheap paper boards
• Buy flights and shafts in packs of ten
• Use open training sessions at venues before you become a member
• Online darts in the DartCloud app: opponents and scoring free, you only need your own board

Sample calculation for the first year

Don't work with catalogue prices, work in blocks: one-off for darts, board, mount and surround; ongoing for club fee and player pass; per tournament an entry fee plus travel. The one-off items weigh heaviest in the first year, after that it's mainly the fee. Many clubs offer reduced rates for young people, students and pensioners – it's worth asking at a trial session.

What players often overlook

• Wear and tear: flights, shafts and points are replaced regularly, that's cheap but it adds up
• Travel: away matches in the league are often the biggest ongoing cost
• Second set: a sensible backup for tournaments, but only once your setup is fixed
• Clothing: club shirts are usually compulsory in the league, darts shoes are optional

A note on bundles: complete sets with a board, darts and a wall protector are handy for getting started, but the darts included are rarely the ones you stick with long term. If you go for a set, plan on buying your own darts after a few weeks of trying things out.

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