This week marks the opening night of the Premier League darts season, following recent high-profile events like the Winmau World Masters and the World Championship. In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Sport, Huw Ware, a prominent referee in one of the world's fastest-growing sports, dials in from his hotel, a temporary base ahead of his next officiating assignment. 'I haven't stopped lately,' he reveals. 'The World Championship was very busy. I have my podcast. I was hoping for some winter sun, but that's not been possible. I am doing 15 of the 17 Premier League nights, so if you are a darts fan and don't like me refereeing, I advise you give it a swerve!'
The Challenge of Rowdy Crowds
Ware's voice has become synonymous with darts, notably after refereeing the 2025 World Championship final where Luke Littler claimed his first world title. However, his reputation extends beyond quick maths, as he addresses a growing concern in the sport: disruptive crowds. 'It is something that has crept into the game that really is not nice,' Ware says, his tone turning serious. He notes an increase in booing and whistling, with referees often stepping in to control fans. Most, including Ware, want this behavior eliminated from the game.
While he is no stranger to telling crowds to quiet down, Ware emphasizes that there is an art to handling such situations. 'It is frustrating because I want to see a good game as much as the fans,' he adds. 'It upsets me when people feel the need to try and whistle, even if you don't want that person to win. I think that's so unfair. There is no excuse for trying to put someone off maliciously. I hate it, I really do. I speak for all the referees when I say that because it makes our job that much harder too.'
Strategies for Managing Disruptions
Ware details his approach to dealing with rowdy crowds, which often involves subtle tactics rather than direct confrontation. 'There have been times I am comfortable to turn around, but you can sometimes end up with a worse problem. Sometimes I can get away with saying something over the microphone, but how I tend to deal with it, especially with the rowdy crowds, is I'll do it off microphone, the odd gesture. I may walk round to the front of the stage to speak to security. I will tend not to use the microphone with a rowdy crowd because you can end up with a bigger issue.'
He explains that the situation is more complex than it appears on television. 'Watching on TV it may seem black and white - it's not as simple as that unfortunately. I wish it was, but we all try where we can. If we're not seen to be doing something, that doesn't mean we condone it. Sometimes you say nothing because they want attention. There is more than one way of dealing with it, but it really is frustrating.'
From Aspiring Player to Referee
On a lighter note, Ware reflects on his unexpected journey into refereeing. Being a darts referee isn't typically a top career choice, and Ware was no exception. However, an opportunity at a young age changed his path. 'I made my TV debut at the Winmau World Masters in 2011,' he recalls. 'I was only 17 and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I grew up loving darts. I got into it aged 11 - I was obsessed with it. Watching, playing... I had dreams of becoming world champion. It was in a very different place then, but I soon realised I wasn't good enough.'
Ware played for Wales youth but recognized his limitations compared to future professionals. 'I played for Wales youth and in the room were quite a few players who would go onto become pros and it was obvious who. I was OK, but not as good as them. A few months later I was asked to referee the Winmau World Masters and I knew that if I said no, the opportunity wouldn't come again. I knew playing for Wales was the best achievement I could ask for and I put the darts down.'
This decision propelled him into the spotlight. 'I went from a certain level to a top level very quickly with nothing in between. Darts referees at 17 wasn't really a thing. It changed my life.'
Beyond the Oche
In addition to his refereeing duties, Ware serves as a global ambassador for Winmau, which sponsors events like the Winmau World Masters. This role has led to a podcast, website, and blog where he shares stories, interviews darts stars, and stays busy off-tour. While fans often focus on players like Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen, Ware highlights the broader aspects of the sport.
Ultimately, Ware expresses gratitude for his role in darts' global rise. 'I just feel very lucky to be honest,' he concludes. 'I am refereeing at a time darts has never been so popular and the most wonderful thing is how much it's impacted it globally. So many international players won their first round matches at the World Championship and you can see the impact it had on their country. We have only touched the top of the ice berg. There is still so much global potential.'
