The Walk-On: Darts' Greatest Theatrical Ritual
At the PDC World Darts Championship, a player's walk-on is far more than a simple entrance. Escorted down the Alexandra Palace ramp by security guards, flanked by pyrotechnics and laser shows, each competitor enters to a signature anthem chosen to ignite the crowd and intimidate their opponent. From the hypnotic bass riff of Seven Nation Army to the festive singalong of Sweet Caroline, walk-ons define the cultural atmosphere of Ally Pally.
Chase the Sun
Planet Funk's eurodance classic is the official ad-break anthem of the PDC, prompting 3,000 fans to erupt into synchronized bouncing and finger-pointing.
Seven Nation Army
The White Stripes track that transformed Michael van Gerwen's arrival into global sporting folklore with the iconic "Oh, Michael van Gerwen!" chant.
I Predict a Riot
Luke Humphries' Leeds United anthem brings raw British indie rock to the main stage, setting the tone for the world champion's walk.
Master Playlist: Top Contenders & Walk-On Anthems
Official entrance tracks verified across PDC Premier League, World Matchplay, and World Championship broadcasts.
| Player | Nickname | Song Title | Artist | Genre & Year | Crowd Reaction & Chants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Littler | The Nuke | "Greenlight" | Pitbull ft. Flo Rida & LunchMoney Lewis | Party Pop / Hip-Hop 2016 | High energy synchronized clapping and jumping, popular with younger fans and festival crowds. Background: Adopted during his record-breaking junior career and maintained throughout his historic 2024 World Championship debut run. |
| Luke Humphries | Cool Hand Luke | "I Predict a Riot" | Kaiser Chiefs | British Indie Rock 2004 | Thunderous chorus singalong accompanied by air guitar playing and bouncing in the tables. Background: Chosen because of Humphries' passionate support for Leeds United FC, where Kaiser Chiefs' anthem is an Elland Road staple. |
| Michael van Gerwen | Mighty Mike | "Seven Nation Army" | The White Stripes | Garage Rock / Stadium Anthem 2003 | The most famous chant in darts history, with arenas singing 'Oh, Michael van Gerwen!' to the bass riff. Background: Adopted early in his PDC career, becoming synonymous with his dominant multi-world championship era. |
| Gerwyn Price | The Iceman | "Ice Ice Baby" | Vanilla Ice | 1990s Hip-Hop 1990 | Instantly recognizable baseline leading to roaring applause and Price's trademark bicep flexes on stage. Background: Custom-fitted to his 'Iceman' persona since his professional crossover from Welsh rugby. |
| Michael Smith | Bully Boy | "Shut Up and Dance" | WALK THE MOON | Pop Rock 2014 | Joyful, feel-good atmosphere with fans dancing across both the tables and tiered seating. Background: Propelled him through his 2022 Grand Slam and 2023 World Championship triumphs. |
| Peter Wright | Snakebite | "Don't Stop the Party" | Pitbull ft. TJR | Dance-Pop / EDM 2012 | The ultimate party spectacle as Wright sidesteps and dances across the stage wings from left to right. Background: One of the longest-running, most beloved walk-on rituals in the history of the sport. |
| Gary Anderson | The Flying Scotsman | "Jump Around" | House of Pain | Hip-Hop 1992 | Mass arena movement as thousands of spectators literally jump around to the frantic horn blast and beat. Background: Has accompanied Anderson through all five of his World Championship finals and both world titles (2015, 2016). |
| Stephen Bunting | The Bullet | "Titanium" | David Guetta ft. Sia | Electropop 2011 | Deafening crowd chants of 'Let's Go Bunting Mental!' chanted repeatedly over the electronic synth chords. Background: Sparked a viral TikTok and arena movement in 2024 that turned Bunting into the ultimate people's champion. |
| Nathan Aspinall | The Asp | "Mr. Brightside" | The Killers | Alternative Rock 2003 | Regarded as one of the single greatest crowd singalongs in world sport, with entire arenas screaming the lyrics word-for-word. Background: Selected in 2019 and became the defining soundtrack to his World Matchplay and UK Open victories. |
| Rob Cross | Voltage | "Hot Hot Hot" | Arrow | Soca 1982 | Vibrant party tune triggering carnival vibes and synchronized arm swaying throughout the hall. Background: Carried Cross from electrical tradesman to World Champion during his 2018 debut triumph. |
| Raymond van Barneveld | Barney | "Eye of the Tiger" | Survivor | Hard Rock 1982 | Drums matched by the iconic 'Barney Army! Barney Army!' chorus chanted by fans dressed in vibrant orange. Background: A legendary entrance track that has accompanied Barney across three decades and five World Championship titles. |
| Fallon Sherrock | Queen of the Palace | "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" | Katy Perry | Pop 2011 | Upbeat pop singalong with pink cowboy hats waving and fans chanting 'There's only one Fallon Sherrock!' Background: Soundtrack to the historic night in December 2019 when she became the first woman to win a World Championship match. |
| Beau Greaves | Beau 'n' Arrow | "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" | Baccara | Euro Disco 1977 | Infectious retro disco rhythm prompting spontaneous dancing, singing, and table clapping. Background: Adopted during her historic record-shattering dominance on the PDC Women's Series and WDF World Championships. |
Behind the Music: Unforgettable Walk-On Stories
Peter Wright — Pitbull's "Don't Stop the Party"
No player embraces the walk-on spectacle quite like Peter "Snakebite" Wright. Clad in custom painted mohawks and kaleidoscopic trousers, Wright sidesteps across the entire width of the Alexandra Palace stage, dancing along the runway while 3,000 fans mimic his synchronized steps. His entrance routinely takes over three minutes and is a signature highlight of every session.
Stephen Bunting & The "Let's Go Bunting Mental" Craze
When Stephen Bunting entered to Titanium by David Guetta & Sia, darts fans adapted the lyrics into the viral football-style chant "Let's Go Bunting Mental!" During his 2024 Masters victory and subsequent Ally Pally campaigns, the entire arena exploded into unison the moment the beat dropped, turning Bunting into one of the circuit's biggest cult heroes.
Nathan Aspinall — The Killers' "Mr. Brightside"
Nathan Aspinall's walk-on features arguably the loudest vocal participation of any sporting entrance in the UK. When The Killers' guitar intro kicks in, the entire Great Hall belts out every single word with festival-level intensity. Even after the music fades and referee calls "Game On," fans frequently continue chanting the chorus through the first leg.
PDC Walk-On Music FAQ
What song is played during darts commercial breaks?
The iconic tune played during breaks and after every set is "Chase the Sun" by Planet Funk (released in 2000). The PDC adopted the song in the mid-2000s, and it has since become the universal sonic trademark of professional darts.
Can players change their walk-on song during a tournament?
While players generally stick to an established trademark song for branding and crowd engagement, they are permitted to request changes between tournaments. In rare instances, players switch songs for charity events, festive specials, or following a major personal reset.
Why did the PDC stop using walk-on girls?
In January 2018, following extensive consultation with commercial broadcasters (principally Sky Sports and ITV), the PDC decided to end the practice of escorting players to the stage with walk-on models to align with modern sports broadcast standards and focus purely on sporting action.