£9.25 for a Budweiser? The O2 Just Broke My Heart (and My Wallet)

By Lewis Barnett 30 May, 2025 5 mins read 55 Views

Listen, I've been to my fair share of sporting events over the years. Paid ridiculous money for lukewarm hot dogs, overpriced nachos that taste like cardboard, you name it.

But what happened at the Premier League Darts final last night? That was something else entirely.

Listen to the Summary

When Luke Met Luke (Again)

The actual darts was brilliant, don't get me wrong. Luke Humphries getting his revenge on Luke Littler after last year's heartbreak - proper storyline stuff. Littler had clawed his way back against Gerwyn Price in teh semis (that Welsh dragon looked absolutely gutted), while Humphries made quick work of Nathan Aspinall.

The crowd was buzzing. The atmosphere should've been electric.

Should've been.

Highway Robbery at the Bar

Here's where things went sideways. I'm queuing up for a pint during the break - you know, standard procedure at any darts event - when I see the prices on the board behind the bar.

£9.25 for a Budweiser. Nine pounds and twenty-five pence. For Budweiser!

The guy next to me just turned around and walked away. Didn't say a word, just... left. I watched him go back to his seat and start chugging water like his life depended on it. Poor bloke probably drove three hours to get there.

Camden Pale Ale? £9.80. That's up 55p from last year (yes, I checked - I'm that person). Camden Hells went up 35p to the same price. The O2 Arena basically decided to treat their customers like cash machines with legs.

Twitter Had Thoughts

The reactions online were... well, exactly what you'd expect. One fan summed it up perfectly: "£9.25 British pounds for a f***ing Budweiser, Games gone, hope there's a 9 darter to make up for it."

Another poor soul wrote: "£9.50 for a pint of BUDWEISER at the O2 tonight. Turned back round and chugged my water." (The price discrepancy there tells you everything about how confused and angry people were getting.)

But this one hit different: "The O2 is far too big for the Premier League Darts. Void of any true atmosphere, much like it is when there's a gig there. £9.80 a pint, too."

Ouch.

Format Wars adn Other Complaints

As if the drink prices weren't enough to ruin everyone's mood, the format debate kicked off again after Humphries lifted the trophy. Littler had dominated for 16 weeks straight - absolutely dominated - only to lose it all in one final.

I get both sides, honestly. One fan wrote: "Fair play to Humphries and I'm glad he won, but I really don't see the point in playing a 16-week league phase for it to come down to one game."

Another chimed in: "Format isn't great. What's the point of dominating for 16 weeks, for it to come down to one night? Seems a bit forced, IMO."

The Real Winner? The O2's Accountants

Look, I've been going to darts events since 2018, back when you could still get a decent pint for under six quid. The sport's gotten bigger, the venues fancier, but something's been lost along the way.

When fans are choosing water over beer at a darts match... that's not progress. That's a problem.

The atmosphere suffers when half the crowd can't afford to get properly into the spirit of things. Darts without beer is like... well, it's like watching football in complete silence. Technically possible, but missing the entire point.

Next year, I'm smuggling in a hip flask. Don't tell anyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

Statistics

Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.

External Links

How To

Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.