The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has quietly abolished a long-standing wardrobe regulation at the World Darts Championship, allowing players to fully embrace their individual styles on the oche. The rule, which required competitors to bring a spare shirt of a different colour to televised matches, has been scrapped following discussions between the sport's hierarchy and its leading stars.
The Van Gerwen Conundrum That Sparked Change
The issue came to a head in clashes involving the iconic Michael van Gerwen, who is synonymous with his bright green playing attire. Former professional Matthew Edgar, who competed in three PDC World Championships, revealed the practical dilemma. Edgar, who also favoured green shirts, was once forced to change when drawn against Van Gerwen in a televised fixture at the Players Championship Finals.
"When I played Michael van Gerwen on TV... I had to take with me an alternate shirt," Edgar explained on his YouTube channel. He highlighted the further complication posed by flamboyant dressers like Peter Wright, whose colour choice is unpredictable. Under the old rule, the higher-ranked player had the right to choose their colour, potentially forcing their opponent to change.
Barry Hearn's Push for Personality
The change was enacted after crunch talks involving PDC president Barry Hearn and the players themselves. Hearn championed the move as part of a broader drive to encourage player individuality and strengthen their personal brands. The organisation recognised that distinctive colours, like Van Gerwen's green, aid fan recognition and build the sport's character.
"As darts becomes more individual, as personalities were more encouraged... Barry Hearn was saying, 'We need you to show who you are,'" Edgar stated. "We need those individualities and those little bits that make our presence or familiarity. So the rule got scrapped."
Rule Change in Effect at Ally Pally
The scrapped rule is already a thing of the past at the ongoing World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Van Gerwen has progressed to the latter stages, his green shirt prominently on display during his third-round victory over Arno Merk on Sunday, 28th December. He remains in contention for the title alongside the likes of defending champion Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries.
This regulatory shift marks a significant, if subtle, evolution in professional darts, prioritising player identity and fan engagement over rigid uniformity. It ensures that the sport's most vibrant personalities can now always appear in their signature colours without fear of a last-minute wardrobe change.
