The Longest Darts Match Ever Played – An Incredible Test of Endurance

Imagine standing in front of a dartboard, throwing dart after dart, hour after hour, while the rest of the world goes about its business. One hour becomes ten, ten becomes twenty, and eventually you have been playing darts for more than two entire days. It sounds almost impossible, but some remarkable players have done exactly that.

Darts is usually associated with relatively short matches, exciting finishes, spectacular 180s and dramatic checkouts. However, there is another side to the sport where endurance, patience and determination become just as important as accuracy.

In this article, we explore the longest officially documented darts marathons, the players behind these extraordinary achievements, the challenges of playing for days and one of the most unforgettable extended matches in professional darts history.

What Is the Longest Darts Match Ever Played?

Before answering that question, we need to distinguish between a traditional competitive darts match and a marathon darts record attempt.

Professional tournament matches follow predetermined formats involving legs and sets. Marathon record attempts, on the other hand, focus on keeping a game of darts going for as long as possible under the applicable record rules.

According to the published Guinness World Records listings, two particularly impressive achievements stand out.

Just think about that for a moment. Almost 59 hours of darts is considerably longer than two complete days. Most people would struggle to maintain their concentration during a single long evening of darts, let alone a marathon stretching across three calendar days.

Kevin Bryan and James Hoult – The 2019 Record

In July 2019, Kevin Bryan and James Hoult took on a challenge that would test their physical and mental endurance.

Their record attempt took place in Shepshed, a town in Leicestershire, England. Beginning on 3 July and finishing on 5 July, the two players achieved a total marathon duration of 58 hours, 48 minutes and 18 seconds.

The event was organised to help raise funds for charity, giving the attempt a purpose beyond simply entering the record books with the Longest Darts Match Ever Played.

Why Is This Achievement So Impressive?

Darts may not appear to be a physically demanding sport compared with running, cycling or football. Nevertheless, standing for extended periods and repeatedly performing the same throwing motion can become extremely tiring.

Players must maintain balance, coordination, concentration and control. Even small changes in posture or throwing technique can influence where the darts land.

During a marathon lasting nearly 59 hours, the greatest challenges are likely to include:

• Physical fatigue: Repeated throwing movements can place considerable strain on the shoulders, arms and back.
• Mental exhaustion: Maintaining concentration for extremely long periods is difficult.
• Consistency: A familiar throwing action can become harder to reproduce as fatigue develops.
• Motivation: Continuing through difficult periods requires determination.
• Coordination: Tiredness can affect timing, balance and precision.

The Guinness record confirms the duration of the achievement, although its public listing does not provide a detailed account of every leg, the total number of darts thrown or the players’ individual averages.

The 60-Hour Doubles Darts World Record

If the singles record sounds incredible, the doubles marathon record takes things even further.

In June 2022, Kevin Bryan and James Hoult returned to the record books, this time alongside Dave Sloan and Bradley Cave.

Together, the four players achieved a marathon doubles darts record lasting exactly 60 hours. Longest Darts Match Ever Played.

Once again, the attempt took place in Shepshed and was motivated by a desire to raise money for local charities.

The fact that two players were involved in both the 2019 singles achievement and the 2022 doubles achievement makes this story particularly interesting.

Singles vs Doubles – Comparing the Records

Although both achievements involve marathon darts, Guinness World Records treats singles and doubles as separate categories.

The doubles achievement is longer in total duration, but that does not mean it replaces the singles record. Each belongs to a different Guinness World Records category.

The Longest Matches in Professional Darts

Marathon world records are fascinating, but what about professional darts tournaments?

Competitive darts has produced its own legendary endurance battles. Some matches have lasted far longer than expected because neither player could establish a decisive advantage.

Unlike marathon record attempts, professional matches have tournament rules, scoring requirements and winning conditions.

One of the most famous examples took place at the 2018 World Matchplay.

Gary Anderson vs Mensur Suljovic – The Epic 2018 Final

The 2018 World Matchplay final between Gary Anderson and Mensur Suljovic is remembered as one of the most dramatic extended contests in the tournament’s history.

Anderson appeared to be heading towards victory when he established a 17–13 lead. However, Suljovic refused to surrender.

The Austrian produced an impressive comeback, winning five consecutive legs and moving ahead 18–17.

Suddenly, a match that had seemed almost decided became a tense battle between two players determined not to lose.

Anderson recovered to move 19–18 ahead, but the drama was far from over. A dart aimed at the bullseye to win the match bounced out of the board, giving Suljovic another opportunity.

Suljovic levelled at 19–19, but Anderson eventually secured the final two legs to win 21–19.

With 40 legs played, the contest became the Longest Darts Match Ever Played in World Matchplay history at the Winter Gardens at that time, according to Darts Corner’s retrospective of the tournament.

Read all about Gary Anderson here

What Made This Match Special?

The length alone was impressive, but the dramatic changes in momentum made the contest unforgettable.

Both players had opportunities to win, both experienced moments of intense pressure, and neither could afford to lose concentration.

For spectators, it demonstrated exactly why darts can be such an exciting sport. A match can change completely with a single missed double or an unexpected checkout.

Why Do Some Darts Matches Last So Long?

There are several reasons why one darts match can take considerably longer than another.

1. The Match Format

A best-of-11-legs match can finish after only six legs if one player dominates. A long set-play contest, however, can involve many more legs.

The number of legs required to win has a direct influence on the potential duration.

2. Closely Matched Players

When two players perform at a similar level, neither may be able to establish a comfortable lead.

This often produces matches that reach the maximum number of scheduled legs or require additional deciding legs under the tournament rules.

3. Missed Doubles

Even professional players sometimes struggle to finish a leg.

A player might score brilliantly throughout a leg but miss several darts at a double. If both players experience checkout difficulties, the leg can become unusually long.

4. Pressure and Nerves

The closer a match gets to its conclusion, the greater the pressure can become.

A player who normally hits double 20 comfortably may suddenly struggle when the match depends on one final dart.

5. Tournament Rules

Some competitions have used rules requiring a player to win by two clear legs, sometimes with a maximum-leg limit or sudden-death procedure.

These rules can extend closely contested matches beyond their expected length.

How Many Darts Could Be Thrown in 60 Hours?

It is difficult to imagine just how many darts might be thrown during such a long period.

Guinness does not publish the exact number of darts thrown in the 60-hour doubles attempt on its public record page. However, we can make a purely hypothetical calculation.

Of course, this is only a mathematical illustration, not a verified total from the actual record attempt. Real playing speed, checkout patterns, changeovers and permitted breaks would affect the result.

Could an Ordinary Darts Player Break the Record?

In principle, amateur players can attempt many sporting world records, provided they meet the relevant eligibility requirements and follow the official rules.

However, breaking a marathon darts record involves much more than simply gathering a few friends and playing continuously.

An official attempt requires preparation, appropriate documentation and compliance with the current Guinness World Records guidelines.

Anyone seriously considering such a challenge should obtain the official rules directly from Guinness before organising an event.

Important Things to Consider

• Choose a suitable location with enough space.
• Ensure appropriate lighting and a properly installed dartboard.
• Arrange independent witnesses and documentation according to the official requirements.
• Plan access to food, drinking water and appropriate facilities.
• Consider the physical demands of repetitive throwing.
• Make sure participant health and safety take priority over the record attempt.

Extreme-duration activities can carry risks related to fatigue, sleep deprivation and repetitive strain. Nobody should attempt a multi-day sporting marathon without suitable safety planning and medical guidance.

Five Fascinating Facts About Marathon Darts

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion – Darts Is More Than Just Accuracy

The longest darts marathons demonstrate that darts is not simply a game of hitting treble 20, scoring 180s and finishing on doubles.

It is also a sport involving determination, concentration, patience and mental resilience.

Kevin Bryan and James Hoult’s extraordinary 2019 singles achievement, followed by the 60-hour doubles record in 2022, shows what can happen when dedicated players take their passion for darts to an entirely different level.

Meanwhile, professional classics such as Gary Anderson’s dramatic victory over Mensur Suljovic remind us that even a match lasting a couple of hours can produce unforgettable tension and excitement.

Whether you enjoy playing a quick game of 501 at your local pub or watching the world’s best players compete on television, these remarkable achievements prove that darts has a fascinating history filled with extraordinary stories.

Sources and Further Reading

The world-record details in this article are based on the published Guinness World Records listings. Professional match details are supported by Darts Corner’s World Matchplay retrospective.

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  Guinness World Records – Longest Marathon Darts Playing (Singles)
  
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  Guinness World Records – Longest Marathon Playing Darts (Doubles)
  
• 
  Darts Corner – 30 Years of the World Matchplay, Part Three
  

Wizard of Darts – Celebrating the history, records, legends and unforgettable moments of the wonderful world of darts.

Record information reflects the publicly available Guinness World Records listings consulted for this article. Guinness notes that records can change before its public website is updated.

Longest Darts Match Ever Played