Behind the scenes
Galaxus customers making fewer climate contributions
by Tobias Heller
Darts fever is sweeping Switzerland
17.1.2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
More than two million people across Germany, Austria and Switzerland tuned in to watch the World Darts Championship final on free TV at the beginning of January. Now, sales figures published by online retailer Galaxus reveal an increasing number of people in Switzerland are buying darts – most of them men. The main driver behind the darts trend? Major events.
A player throws a dart at a 45-centimetre board from a distance of over two metres, and millions of people all over the world watch (linked article in German). Yep, I’m talking about darts, a sport that’s becoming increasingly popular these days. As always, this year’s World Championship was held in London at the very beginning of 2025. Audiences tuning into free TV as well as live spectators at the legendary Ally Pally cheered on their darts heroes. Many of them came dressed in crazy costumes more reminiscent of Carnival than a major sporting event. Media commentators agree that darts is gaining fans with every passing year. A headline that recently appeared in Swiss newspaper the «Tages-Anzeiger» stated (in German), «The hype surrounding the sport of darts is becoming ever more gigantic».»
But what about Switzerland? Are we seeing an increasing number of darts flying around Swiss living rooms?
Darts fever hit Switzerland again in 2024
Galaxus added darts, dartboards and other darts accessories to its range in 2020. Perfect timing, given lockdown was creating a high demand for at-home entertainment. When the pandemic was over, Switzerland’s enthusiasm for darts briefly waned – despite the sport booming across the world. In 2023, customers ordered 17 per cent fewer darts-related products from Galaxus than in the previous year.
However, that slump was short-lived. In 2024, Galaxus customers bought 45 per cent more darts-related products than the previous year. What’s more, their purchases became increasingly specific. «We’ve noticed that more and more customers are customising their darts with matching flights, shafts and tips. Amateur players are becoming increasingly savvy,» says Lara Diener, one of the team members responsible for the darts range at Galaxus.
No sign of diversity in darts
Ninety-six players battled it out for the most recent Darts World Championship title, two of whom were women. Similarly, the Galaxus sales figures paint a picture of darts as a male domain, with no change in sight. Only one in five orders for darts-related products is placed by a female customer, a figure that’s remained unchanged for years.
In the first few weeks of 2025, the percentage of darts-related orders stemming from male customers actually increased even more, with eight out of ten orders placed by men.
Major events are driving the darts boom
One reason behind the increased demand for darts products in 2024 might have been last year’s PDC Swiss Darts Trophy taking place in Basel. This was the first time a major darts tournament featuring various international stars had ever been held in Switzerland.
The impact of major events like this on people’s interest in darts is clearly making itself felt. In fact, a third of all darts-related products sold on Galaxus were purchased in December and January. To be precise, in the two months coinciding with the World Darts Championship and the media coverage surrounding it.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the darts boom will continue in the coming years – and whether other Swiss darts extraordinaires will join Stefan Bellmont in making waves on the international stage (article in German).
Are you a darts fan? Or do you just not get the hype? What does your home darts setup like? Would you be able to throw more 180s if you had better darts? Let us know in the comments.
Header image: Shutterstock
Tobias Heller
Communications Manager
Tobias.Heller@digitecgalaxus.chToys
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