The atmosphere at Alexandra Palace is unique in the sporting world—a cacophony of chanting, fancy dress, and precision sport. As the 2025/2026 World Darts Championship approaches, all eyes are usually on the established giants of the game. However, this year, a new narrative is bubbling under the surface. Charlie Manby, affectionately known as “Champagne Charlie,” is poised to make his highly anticipated debut. The 20-year-old Yorkshireman hasn’t just qualified; he has arrived carrying the weight of a record-breaking season that saw him dismantle a benchmark set by none other than Luke Littler.
A Statistical Phenomenon on the Development Tour
In the world of professional darts, the 3-dart average (the mean score a player achieves with every three darts thrown) is the ultimate metric of performance. It separates the good from the elite. Earlier this season, Manby sent shockwaves through the darting community by registering a staggering 130.70 average on the Winmau Development Tour.
To put this into perspective within the sport’s academic history, this feat obliterated the previous record held by the reigning World Champion, Luke Littler. Littler’s record stood at 115.22—a formidable number in its own right—but Manby’s performance was statistically anomalous, representing a level of scoring power rarely seen even among the world’s top ten.
Manby admits that such a statistical outlier can be a double-edged sword. “I think when you have that sort of stat to your name, you’ve got a bit of a target on your back,” Manby reflected. This creates a psychological dynamic where opponents, aware of his capabilities, elevate their own game. It is a testament to Manby’s resilience that, despite a temporary dip in confidence following this massive high, he recalibrated his mental game to secure his maiden PDC Development Tour title in September, navigating a field of 278 players.
The Huddersfield Bricklayer with a Target on His Back
While his average suggests a seasoned professional, Manby’s background is rooted in the traditional working-class foundations of the sport. A bricklayer by trade from Huddersfield, Manby balances the physical demands of construction work with the precision required at the oche (the line behind which a player must stand to throw).
His journey began in the local working men’s clubs at the tender age of 12. It was here that the local community first noticed his natural throw. This grassroots pathway—from the Bradford Darts Youth system to the JDC (Junior Darts Corporation) circuit—is vital for understanding his current prowess. It mirrors the trajectory of many legends of the sport, proving that the gap between the construction site and the world stage is bridged by talent and relentless practice.
The moniker “Champagne Charlie” is not, as some sporting historians might guess, a nod to the flamboyant former Arsenal footballer Charlie Nicholas. Instead, it was coined by Chris Coles, his local football manager, who suggested the nickname and the accompanying walk-on music, Oasis’s anthem Champagne Supernova. It is a persona that fits the electric atmosphere of the Ally Pally perfectly.
The Luke Littler Rivalry: A Glimpse of the Future?
One cannot discuss Charlie Manby without referencing the inevitable comparisons to Luke Littler. Both are young, prodigiously talented, and capable of scoring heavily. Their rivalry was cemented during a memorable encounter at the World Youth Championship. In what analysts described as one of the greatest games in the tournament’s history, Manby went toe-to-toe with the Warrington sensation.
Manby came within millimetres of victory, missing two match darts—including a bullseye attempt on a 130 checkout (ending a leg by hitting a double or bullseye). While Littler has garnered global fame and the World No. 1 spot, Manby maintains a healthy respect for his peer.
“I think finding that level of consistency is the hardest part of getting there,” Manby noted, adopting a slightly academic tone regarding the mechanics of the sport. He acknowledges that Littler’s ability to “switch it on” and produce a 12-darter at crucial moments is the benchmark he must now strive to emulate consistently.
Analyzing the Round One Clash: Manby vs. Menzies
Manby’s campaign begins on Monday, December 15, against the Scottish standout Cameron Menzies. This draw is fascinating from a tactical perspective. Both players are known for a rapid rhythm. In darts, the pace of play can dictate the flow of the match; a fast player facing a slow player often leads to disrupted rhythm, but two fast players can result in a high-quality, high-octane shootout.
The format for the early rounds is a “race to three sets,” which leaves little room for a slow start. Manby views this debut as a “free shot,” a psychological framing that releases the pressure of expectation. “I don’t look too far ahead so will just take it one game at a time,” he stated.
Having already won the MODUS Super Series—a grueling competition that tests stamina and consistency—Manby has proven he can handle the lights and cameras. However, the Alexandra Palace stage, with its capacity crowd and millions watching worldwide via Sky Sports Darts, presents a unique variable.
Conclusion: A New Star in the Darts Constellation?
As the dates for the World Championship (December 11, 2025 – January 3, 2026) draw near, the narrative is shifting from solely focusing on the established order to watching the disruptors. Charlie Manby enters the tournament not just as a qualifier, but as a record-holder with the raw scoring power to trouble anyone in the draw.
Whether he can replicate his 130+ average on the biggest stage of all remains the key question. But one thing is certain: when Champagne Supernova blasts through the speakers in North London, the bricklayer from Huddersfield will be ready to build his legacy.
