Ian Mallon: The making of an €18m darts hootenanny

CHRISTMAS STAPLE: Michael Van Gerwen is one of the favourites for this year's PDC World Dart Championships. Pic: PA

From Thursday until the early New Year, 90,000 fans will converge on the most compelling and barmiest tournament on the sporting calendar – the PDC World Darts Championship.

Fans will spend €4m on tickets and an additional €3m (about £30 per head) on refreshments, some will come dressed as Super Mario or Fred Flintstone, and others will wave messages at the cameras: “I only went out to get bread” is a favourite.