Behind the Scenes: The World’s Darts Championship Opening Draw at Oche, The Strand

This past November, Oche at The Strand had the immense pleasure of hosting the Opening Draw for the World’s Darts Championship, an event that brought together some of the sport’s biggest names and a buzzing atmosphere filled with excitement. As always, London’s premier darts venue was the perfect backdrop for a day of anticipation, surprises, and a few memorable moments.

Luke Littler interviewed.

One of the standout highlights was the draw for the top seed and reigning world champion, Luke Littler. He was drawn against former quarterfinalist Darius Labinowskis in the first round, a matchup that had everyone at Oche on the edge of their seats. The venue’s intimate setting made it possible for fans and players to share in the tension and excitement as the names were announced. And as we now know, Luke later delivered an impressive performance, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling championship.

Michael van Gerwen at Oche.

Another key moment came when the draw revealed the third quarter featuring three-time world champion Michael Van Gerwen, alongside stars like Peter Wright and Gary Anderson. The room at Oche was electric, reacting to the star-studded quarter and the potential for blockbuster clashes. The venue’s central London location and close-up vantage points gave everyone an unbeatable view of the drama as it unfolded.

Ondrej Janovsky, our Sales and Events Manager at The Strand, summed up the day perfectly:
“It was such an exciting day here at Oche! Seeing so many famous faces in one place, the buzz in the room, and being part of the World’s Darts Championship Opening Draw again, it really doesn’t get much better than this. We’re thrilled to continue hosting this fantastic event alongside SKY and the PDC.”

Oche surround, Winmau dartboard, Paddy Power flights.

Following the draw at Oche, the championships officially kicked off on December 12th at Alexandra Palace, where the world’s top players began their quest for glory in front of thousands of fans. Hosting the Opening Draw once again reminded us why Oche is such a beloved home for darts in London, and we can’t wait to see how the rest of the tournament unfolds.

Photo Credits: courtesy of Taylor Lanning/PDC