Why are nine-darters on the rise? — and more

The numbers of nine-darters taking place in the world of professional darts seems to be on the rise, with 2026 on track so far to become a record year for perfect legs.

The Players Championship has already seen six in the first six events. and there has been one within the opening four weeks of the Premier League Darts campaign.

Televised nine-darters are also becoming more frequent, but this is largely due to the increasing number of competitions being broadcast in recent years.

"It's a special feeling," two-time world champion Dennis Priestley told BBC Sport.

"It's like kids starting up today you know getting their first 180, it is such a milestone for them and then if they're just good enough to go on and play on TV and they do a nine darter.

"It's the perfect darts."

But are nine-darters really on the up? What are the potential reasons for it if so, and can they actually be a curse in disguise?

The numbers behind the rise of nine-darters

There have only been two full months of the 2026 darts season, but there are already early signs that nine-darters are on the up.

In the Players Championship, there have been six perfect legs from as many meetings so far this term, compared to five at this stage 12 months ago.

Last year's Players Championship had a record 33 perfect legs across the campaign and all of the previous five full campaigns had at least 20 perfect legs.

Data from Ochepedia shows that on average, a nine-darter has taken place once every 1,167 legs in this year's Players Championship, making it fractionally the most common season for them of all-time, edging ahead of 1,195 in 2021 and 1,200 from last year.

The Premier League did not have any in its opening four weeks of the 2025 season, but the 2026 season saw Josh Rock find the first in week four in Belfast.

In the 2025 season, there were a record five Premier League nine-darters, making it the first campaign to consist of more than two.

However, the 2026 World Darts Championship did not contain any in over 2,200 legs, in what was the most fixtures played at a single World Championship.

More tournaments and thinner wires

Some players go without landing many, if any, nine-darters in their professional careers.

Others make a habit of it, with 597 being hit that have been officially recognised by the Professional Darts Corporation since their formation in 1992.

Dutch darting great and current world number four Michael van Gerwen leads the way at present with 30, eight more than the next highest and 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.

Prior to 2018, there had never been 30 or more nine-darters in a single year. But the last couple of years have seen their frequency significantly increase, with 58 in 2024, 55 in 2025 and 19 already in the first two months of 2026.

"The standard is better and they're playing competitively nearly every weekend," explained Priestley. "That's a big help."

"When I won the [World Championship] in 1991 in January, I didn't play another competitive game until April. So there's a big difference.

"You're attuned and you're ready mentally and physically when you're playing week in, week out at a tough level."

As well as an increased rate of tournaments and higher standard across the sport of darts, Priestley says that a slimmer set of wires around the trebles bed allows players to aim for a larger target, with eight trebles often needed as part of a nine-darter.

"They can see more of the treble now because the wires are so thin. That's a big help," the 1992 and 1994 world champion explained.

"The trebles are no bigger than when I was playing, but you can just see more because the wiring is so thin."

A blessing or a curse?

Among the players to hit a perfect leg in recent history is women's world number one Beau Greaves, doing so during a Players Championship event to become to first female player to hit a perfect leg, during a victory over Mensur Suljovic.

Fifteen years ago, Priestley hit his only PDC-recognised perfect leg against the same player, but went on to lose the match.

It is a pattern that is common in players hitting perfect legs.

Rock's perfect leg in Belfast a week ago against Gian van Veen came during a defeat, with Van Veen himself doing the same during a loss to Luke Littler in the final of last month's Poland Darts Open.

The last two nine-darters in the World Championship, hit by Christian Kist and Damon Heta during the 2025 edition, both came during losing performances.

"It's a mental barrier, they are still overjoyed about it in the nine-darter and the standard just seems to drop that little touch," Priestley adds.

"The consummate professional probably more than 50% lose rather than win after hitting a nine-darter."

Given the celebration and rarity there is for nine-darters, many tournaments award separate prizes for players who can achieve perfection.

Kist and Heta were both awarded £60,000 each for their World Championship perfect legs, prize money that was significantly higher than what both earned for their progression in the competition.

Rock's perfect leg in Premier League Darts saw him win a custom-made set of gold darts worth £30,000, triple the £10,000 prize won by Stephen Bunting for winning last week's final.

But does the extra incentive mean players are targeting perfect legs over tournament wins?

"I wouldn't have thought so," said Priestley.

"The first thing is getting the match won. It didn't help me [against Suljovic in 2011].

"John Lowe won £102,000 in 1983, so that was a big incentive. Because there are more and more being hit, obviously they are not prepared to offer that sort of money now."

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

More questions answered...

• Who is playing in Premier League Darts 2026 and what is the schedule?
• How do players get picked for Premier League Darts?
• Do they change the dartboards at the World Championship?
• What is dartitis and what causes it?

Liverpool and Man Utd Track Juventus Midfield Star Ahead of Summer Window

Interest in Juventus midfielder Khéphren Thuram is gathering pace ahead of the summer transfer window, with Liverpool and Manchester United among the Premier League clubs monitoring his progress. According to Caught Offside, the France international has emerged as one of the most intriguing midfield options available, even though Juventus maintain that he remains central to their long term plans.

Transfer speculation often develops gradually before accelerating suddenly. Thuram’s situation feels like one of those stories quietly building momentum behind the scenes.

Juventus Growth Elevates Midfield Reputation

Thuram’s development since arriving in Turin has been steady and impressive. Once viewed primarily as an energetic presence, he has matured into a well rounded midfielder capable of influencing games in several ways.

Standing 6ft 4in and blessed with natural athleticism, he combines physical authority with a willingness to carry the ball through midfield. Juventus have increasingly relied on him to provide balance between defensive responsibility and attacking transitions.

Photo IMAGO

His versatility also appeals to prospective buyers. Thuram can operate as a traditional box to box midfielder, sit deeper to protect the back line, or surge forward to support attacks when opportunities arise.

The numbers underline his importance. The 24 year old has made 35 appearances across all competitions this season, a reflection of his growing role within Juventus’ structure.

Premier League Recruitment Focus Intensifies

Sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside that both Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in signing the French midfielder to strengthen their squad and add depth in their midfield.

For Liverpool, the appeal is obvious. Adding physical presence and ball winning ability in midfield remains a priority as the club refine the balance of their squad. Reports suggest a package worth around €45 million plus bonuses could be explored.

Manchester United’s thinking is slightly different but equally clear. The club are beginning to plan for life beyond Casemiro and Thuram fits the profile of a younger, high energy midfielder capable of anchoring the next phase of their rebuild.

Photo IMAGO

Arsenal are also monitoring the situation, though their interest appears more cautious at this stage.

Juventus Hold Strong Negotiating Position

Juventus are not under immediate pressure to sell. Thuram is under contract until 2029, giving the Italian club considerable leverage if negotiations develop.

The expected valuation between €65 million and €75 million reflects his growing importance. While Juventus insist he remains integral to their project, the financial realities of elite football mean that few players are entirely beyond reach.

If the coming months bring formal offers, this could become one of the more intriguing midfield transfer stories of the summer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Liverpool supporters, the idea of signing Thuram makes considerable sense. Liverpool’s midfield rebuild has already begun in recent seasons, yet supporters still debate whether the squad possesses enough physical authority and ball recovery in central areas. Thuram’s athletic profile would address exactly that concern.

Fans often appreciate midfielders who can dominate duels and carry the ball through pressure. Thuram appears capable of doing both. The question for Liverpool supporters is whether the club are prepared to meet Juventus’ valuation if it climbs towards €70 million.

Manchester United supporters will view the situation through a different lens. For many at Old Trafford, the coming years feel like a transition period in midfield. Casemiro remains influential, but will be leaving at the end of the season. Thuram fits the age profile and playing style United supporters often call for, energetic, durable and capable of covering large areas of the pitch.

There is also the Premier League factor. Players with Thuram’s blend of power and technical control often adapt well to the pace of English football.

Supporters of both clubs would likely agree on one thing. If this move becomes realistic, it will not stay quiet for long. Midfielders with this profile rarely remain available without attracting serious attention.

Following Borussia Dortmund’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League, it could leave the Black-Yellows with a shortfall of up to €27m, according to Bild, who add that Julian Ryerson would be allowed to leave the club for a reported €30m.

The Norwegian has been in excellent form this campaign with 14 assists in 32 games across all competitions, which has attracted interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Barcelona.

Only Bayern Munich stars Michael Olise (18) and Luis Diaz (13) have more Bundesliga assists than Ryerson (11) this term. The 28-year-old’s four assists against Mainz in February is only the fourth time a player has done so since detailed data collection began in 2004/05.

Additionally, Bild further report that Nico Schlotterbeck, Serhou Guirassy and Felix Nmecha are also candidates to leave, should they receive a suitable offer, as Sebastian Kehl and Lars Ricken look to overhaul the squad ahead of next season, with Kauã Prates and Justin Lerma, both 17, joining Die Schwarzgelben in the summer.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

Strahinja Pavlovic has revealed that he spoke to Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic and former Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic before deciding to join Milan from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2024 and claims that Serie A is the best league he’s played in: ‘In these two short years, I’ve learned more than the last six of my career’.

The Rossoneri defender spoke in-depth to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the Derby della Madonnina between Milan and Inter coming up in Serie A on Sunday evening.

Pavlovic on joining Milan, talks with Vlahovic and improving under Allegri

Pavlovic claims that he has learned more from playing in Serie A than he had done across six years of his career across Serbia, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria. Being at Milan and playing under Massimiliano Allegri specifically has played a major role in his development.

“You just have to walk around Milanello to understand how many legends have played here, there are pictures everywhere: In the dining room, in the gym … It makes me happy to wear the same shirt that they wore. It’s a great feeling, it’s hard to describe.”

Pavlovic revealed which of his Serbian teammates he spoke to before joining Milan: “I called Luka Jovic who was here last season, but I also spoke with Milenkovic and Vlahovic to find out more about the Italian division.”

He insists that moving to Serie A has been the most insightful step of his career: “Milan is the biggest club I’ve played for so far and Serie A is stronger than Austria, France and Serbia. Everything is different here, there are no easy games. And in these two short years, I’ve learned more than the last six of my career. For a defender, it’s the perfect league to grow.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 18: Strahinja Pavlovic of AC Milan controls the ball during the Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at King Saud University Stadium on December 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

“The coach puts a lot of attention on the defence and we’ve made a lot of progress. The credit is not only due to the defenders, though, because we need everyone’s help. The forwards and midfielders lend us a big hand as well.

“(I’ve learned) so many little things. I’ve started paying attention to little details that I hadn’t even considered before, which makes the difference.”

After a difficult 2024-25 season in which Milan finished in eighth place, missing out on European football altogether for 2025-26, the Rossoneri now find themselves in second, albeit 10 points off their city rivals, Inter.

Are Milan ‘happy’ with their season so far? “It’s a difficult question,” Pavlovic pondered. “We’re happy compared to last year, the goal at the beginning of the season was to get into the top four and we are in the running to achieve that. But looking at our performance, we could have had more points, so there is a bit of regret.

“There are still 11 games to go and we will do everything we can to get the most out of them.”

Click here to read the full interview with Pavlovic

Bayern Munich will be without star striker Harry Kane for the first time in the Bundesliga this season on Friday but coach Vincent Kompany expects him to return for the Champions League next week.

Kompany said that league top scorer Kane would miss the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach with a calf problem which he however considers not to be too serious.

Harry Kane is out. He got a knock on his calf and hasn't recovered yet. It's just a knock, it's nothing serious for the time being, but we'd need maybe another a day for him to be involved," Kompany told a news conference on Thursday.

"Of course we would have liked Harry to be involved, but these things happen."

Kane has scored 30 Bundesliga goals this season, including a brace in each of his last four games. He is chasing Robert Lewandowski's league record 41 season goals and due to missing Friday's game will have nine games left to reach it.

Kompany said he doesn't expect Kane to miss Tuesday's Champions League last 16 first leg match at Italy's Atalanta as well.

"I don't think so. You can see my body language, I am pretty relaxed," Kompany said.

The coach added that Kane's absence opens the door for others to shine on Friday.

"The lads who are involved tomorrow against Gladbach are really looking forward to it. If Harry isn't involved, some of the lads are hoping they can get their moment," he said.

Defenders Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies are also out but captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returns from a calf muscle injury, with Kompany simply saying: "He is fit."