Kolkata, September 8: India is set to witness a major milestone in the growth of darts as the Indian Darts Open 2026 gets ready to bring world-class competition to Kolkata. Organised by the All India Darts Association (AIDA), the prestigious tournament will be held at The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel, Kolkata, from September 10 to 12.
The championship is being positioned as a landmark event aimed at taking Indian darts to a new level by bringing together the country’s leading players and invited international competitors. The tournament will focus on elite competition, youth development, grassroots participation and greater international exposure for Indian players.
Speaking about the tournament, Prasanta Saha, Secretary General of AIDA and tournament organiser, said that the Indian Darts Open represents a major step towards creating a strong platform for Indian players to compete at the highest level.
He said the tournament will feature leading male, female and youth players, with winners receiving prize money and successful participants earning World Darts Federation (WDF) ranking points. He described the event as a historic moment for Indian darts and said participants and visitors would also get an opportunity to experience the best that West Bengal has to offer.
The tournament will feature professional match presentation, live scoring, digital broadcasts and a spectator-focused experience designed to showcase darts as one of the world’s rapidly growing sports.
Focus on Youth and Grassroots Development
According to AIDA, the Indian Darts Open 2026 is not only about competition but also about creating a long-term ecosystem for the sport in India. The association aims to expand darts at the grassroots level, encourage young players and create new opportunities for aspiring professionals.
The tournament will also seek to strengthen partnerships with corporate sponsors, sporting organisations and broadcasters while attracting greater national and international attention to Indian darts.
Top Dignitaries to Attend
The inauguration ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 10 at 5 PM at The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel, Kolkata. West Bengal Tourism Minister Sankar Ghosh is expected to grace the opening ceremony along with other dignitaries from the fields of sports, film and fashion.
The Prize Distribution Ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 12 at 5:30 PM, with West Bengal Sports Minister Dr. Indranil Khan scheduled to present the prizes.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and President of the All India Darts Association, will also grace the final prize distribution ceremony on September 12.
AIDA’s 25-Year Journey
The tournament comes at a significant time for the All India Darts Association, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. AIDA has been working to develop darts across different states in India and has sent Indian players to major international competitions, including the WDF World Cup.
The association has set an ambitious goal of expanding darts across every state and hosting more international tournaments in India in the coming years.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy has also taken initiatives to promote darts among young people through schools and colleges across the country. AIDA plans to introduce darts at the Constitution Club in New Delhi by the end of this year.
Para Darts Championship Also to Be Promoted
Alongside the Indian Open 2026, AIDA is also promoting a Para Darts Championship, recognised by World Para Darts, UK. Selected players from the championship will get an opportunity to represent India at the World Para Darts Championship 2026.
A New Chapter for Indian Darts
With Indian and international players expected to compete, the Indian Darts Open 2026 aims to establish itself as one of the country’s premier annual darts events.
The organisers hope the tournament will not only deliver high-quality sporting action but also inspire a new generation of players and strengthen India’s presence on the international darts stage.
