Bray said many more school-aged people had become interested in the sport through the academy rather than the pub.
“Now these guys can’t drink or anything, so the pub element is often out of the game,” he said.
Bray welcomed the more professional edge in the sport, saying it had attracted more money and sponsorships.
“Who would have thought you would be a millionaire playing darts? This is how far this sport has come.”
Bray said Ally Pally, the site of the ceremonial tournament since 2008, still promises to be “the biggest event in the world.”
He said, “You’ve got 5,000 people dressed up in all kinds of costumes, you’ve got Power Rangers, you’ve got people dressed up as Jesus, you just have everything there.
“It’s an exciting place, the noise and bustle are out of this world.”
The year 2025 PDC World Championships starts on Saturday and the tournament ends on Friday, January 3.
