Premier League Darts' Darkest Day: Coins and Lager Hurled at Adrian Lewis in Glasgow
The 2026 Premier League Darts season is poised for a highly anticipated return to Glasgow this week, but the event inevitably stirs up troubling memories from over a decade ago. In March 2011, the sport witnessed one of its most notorious incidents when two-time PDC world champion Adrian Lewis was bombarded with coins and pints of lager by a wild crowd during a match in the Scottish city.
A Tumultuous Night for Darts
Adrian Lewis, now 40 and no longer active in professional darts, was at the peak of his career back then, having just triumphed over Gary Anderson in a world final merely three months prior. The stage was set for a fierce rivalry as Lewis faced Anderson on his home turf in Glasgow. However, the competition quickly descended into chaos as rowdy darts enthusiasts began hurling objects to distract the Englishman.
Lewis has since reflected on the ordeal, describing it as "awful" and noting that the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) learned significant lessons from the incident. "I think obviously I'd beat Gary in the world final, hadn't I?" Lewis remarked during the launch of the Modus Super Series on Pluto TV. "And then this was like a few months later after that. Playing against Gary in Scotland was never an easy task."
The Perfect Storm of Factors
Several elements contributed to the volatile atmosphere that night. Lewis pointed out that playing as the last game of the evening exacerbated tensions, and the timing coincided with Glasgow Rangers' loss to PSV, which allowed disgruntled football fans to migrate to the darts venue. "So that obviously gave them time for their fans from there to come over," he explained. "So yes, it didn't go too well at the end."
The danger of the situation was palpable, with coins landing unpredictably on stage. "The thing was, I mean, them coins could have gone anywhere," Lewis recalled. "Gary was on the stage next to me. We could both hear them all thudding against the stage. Yes, it wasn't the best experience, let's put it that way."
Outcome and Aftermath
Despite the hostile environment, Lewis managed to secure an 8-3 victory over Anderson that night. However, Anderson had the final word later in the year, exacting revenge by defeating Lewis 10-4 in the Premier League final to claim his first major title. This highlighted the intense pressures of the tournament, which Lewis described as "a bit more difficult than most things" due to its grueling schedule.
"Because you're away five or six days a week, having to be there on a Wednesday and then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday you're playing," he said. "That was probably the most difficult part of it really, because it's nearly like five whole days, isn't it? Out of your life, basically. So that's a difficult period for any player."
A Nuanced View on Crowds
In an unexpected turn, Lewis did not entirely condemn the crowds at Premier League events. While Glasgow would not rank among his preferred venues, he expressed some appreciation for the atmosphere they generate. "I enjoyed the crowds and that," he added. "Would it have been my favourite crowds? No. I'd say the Matchplay was my favourite. Proper darts fans."
The third night of the 2026 Premier League Darts is scheduled to commence on Thursday, February 19, at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, with action kicking off at 7pm. As fans gather once more, the legacy of that dark day in 2011 serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between passionate support and unacceptable behavior in sports.
