UK’s new national darts centre opens in Bristol in former Patchway sports and social club

The facility includes a state-of-the-art arena and will support the growth of the sport at grassroots, junior and elite levels

A new national darts centre has opened its doors in Bristol. The facility – known as Hangar61 – is based in the old Patchway sports and social club, and is designed to support the growth of the sport at grassroots, junior and elite levels.

It will be operated by the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) in partnership with dartboard manufacturer Winmau, which said the centre’s mission is “firmly focused” on the future of darts and nurturing young talent.

The new facility includes a state-of-the art arena; 32 match boards and dart lanes with live tablet scoring; and a production room with broadcast equipment.

It will host JDC academies, community coaching programmes and professional-level training, while continuing to operate as a space for local residents, families and young people, JDC said.

Flagship competitions such as the Junior Power League, Girls Series and Advanced tour will take place in the new venue. It will also host pathway competitions including the foundation tour for players who are making their first step on the competition ladder.

It is understood that Winmau – a long-term partner of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) – has played a key role in bringing the project to life. Its investment has helped secure a dedicated, permanent home for the JDC in Bristol, while Winmau-affiliated academies nationwide have doubled in size since the partnership began.

Steve Brown, founder and chairman of the JDC, said: “This is a hugely important day for the JDC and for junior darts in the UK.

“Hangar61 gives us a permanent home that matches the ambition of our programme and the talent of the young players coming through. We’ve created a facility that not only supports elite development but is rooted in the local community and open to the next generation discovering the sport for the first time.”

Tom Brown, chief executive of Nodor Group, the parent company of Winmau, added: “The growth in darts we’ve witnessed recently has been remarkable, but it’s vital that this momentum is supported by strong development at grassroots level. With Hangar61, we’re proud to offer young players a world-class environment where they can learn, train and progress, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and the very best equipment.”