'Whistling cuts right through you': Raymond van Barneveld laments current state of crowd behaviour

The behaviour of darts audiences is increasingly coming under scrutiny. Once celebrated for their raucous yet good-natured energy, fans at some events now seem to be crossing a line—turning lively atmospheres into disruptive chaos. And the effects are becoming ever more apparent on the oche.

Players are increasingly subjected to whistles, boos, and shouts at the very moments when laser-sharp focus is required. A split-second of distraction can mean the difference between winning a leg or losing a match. Few understand this better than five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, who has himself been on the receiving end. “It scares the life out of you,” he told AD.nl.

The issue came to a head recently in Berlin and again at the European Tour event in Riesa, where teenage sensation Luke Littler bore the brunt of crowd abuse. In Glasgow, things also spiralled when Gerwyn Price was once again jeered by spectators, prompting referee Kirk Bevins to intervene and demand silence—a move that didn't sit well with everyone. Former referee Russ Bray went so far as to label it “the worst thing you can do.”

Van Barneveld sees it as part of a troubling trend, pointing to a shift in crowd behaviour during darts nights. “Whistling cuts right through you,” he said. “But it’s that drawn-out ‘oooooh’ when you take your time lining up a dart—that's even more irritating.”

He knows all too well how quickly public sentiment can turn. “When I first became world champion at Lakeside, people would say: ‘Ah, that old guy, the postman—we’re happy for him.’ But as soon as you start earning serious money, suddenly people want to take you down.”

Van Barneveld believes the dynamic in the venue has changed significantly. Where once fans sat quietly, absorbing every dart thrown, now many come for the party atmosphere—and to be seen. “It used to be silent during throws. People came to watch darts. The worst distraction back then might’ve been the occasional nasty email. Now, fans spend the whole evening drinking, getting annoyed, and trying to get on TV or social media. I don’t really get it. Don’t you want to see great darts?”

Beyond the party culture, Van Barneveld also points to another growing influence: betting. “There are always people in the crowd who’ve put a few quid on you—or against you. Naturally, they’re going to root for their bet to come through. That’s something to reckon with.”

To combat the noise and distractions, Van Barneveld now keeps a set of earplugs on hand at all times—a personal defence against the rising volume. Even so, he admits, tuning out the outside world is becoming increasingly difficult.