- The first session of the darts extravaganza was held on Sunday evening
- Boisterous spectators packed into Alexandra Palace wearing eye-catching costumes
- Super Mario, Donald Trump and Oompa Loompa costumes were also discovered.
Thousands of boozy darts fans gathered at Alexandra Palace on the opening day of the World Darts Championship to show off their finest costumes.
Luke Humphries, who lifted the trophy last year by defeating teenage superstar Luke Littler, will defend his title and the £500,000 prize tonight, with spectators flocking to the venue to secure their seats for the fight. Ta.
The iconic venue has a capacity of just over 3,000 people and is expected to pour countless beers during the tournament, which ends on January 3rd.
But in the build-up to the first match of the night, a number of eye-catching costumes were spotted and it’s clear the festivities have begun before a single dart is thrown.
Four people wearing colorful Super Mario costumes smiled for the cameras upon their arrival, with one group appearing as US President-elect Donald Trump.
All four Trumps even performed his now-iconic dance.
Participants in costume at the opening round of the World Darts Championship
Several friends dressed up as Donald Trump and danced for the camera.
At Alexandra Palace, another group wore bright orange Aperol Spritz tops and skirts.
Another group of friends opted for a different approach, wearing bright orange tops and skirts with large Aperol Spritz labels on the chest.
There were also many Oompa Loompas with orange face paint.
Costumes have become a tradition at darts extravaganzas and participants once again went all out to celebrate the start of Sunday night’s fascinating competition.
A crowd of beer-drinking Vikings also posed for photos before entering the main hall as a nativity ceremony was performed by a group of eight men.
Two traffic cones were also seen making their way through the crowd.
The arena was once again filled with excited revelers, carrying large mugs of lager as they made their way to their seats, singing and dancing.
Ninety-six athletes entered the competition, but only one will lift the hallowed Sid Waddell trophy, with Littler and Humphries the heavy favorites to win.
Thibault Tricol gained momentum into his Oche bout with a 3-1 win over Joe Comito and will face the dominant Humphries in the second round tonight.
There was also an Oompa Loompa costume with orange face paint.
A horde of Vikings poured beer before entering the main hall of the venue.
The Nativity reenactment attracted attention as a man wearing a star costume also appeared.
Two friends were making their way through the crowd dressed as traffic cones.
Later in the evening, Jermaine Wattimena will take on Stefan Belmont in the second match, followed by Kim Hybrecht taking on Keene Barry.
The session then ends with Humphries appearing on stage for the first time.
Littler, who wowed the sporting world with his astonishing run in last year’s finals, begins his campaign on Saturday against either Ryan Meikle or Fallon Sherlock.
Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen are also unlikely to win the tournament, with the Flying Scotsman having been in good form in recent months.