Kia Ora Canada went international, travelling to London’s iconic Alexandra Palace—fondly known as “Ally Pally”—to witness the 2025/2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
A Historic Day for Kiwi Jonny “JT” Tata
The trip was made extra special by the performance of Kiwi darts player Jonny "JT" Tata. A truck driver from Wainuiomata, Tata created a shock first-round upset, forcing a quick reschedule of his flights back home as he chased history, aiming to become the first Kiwi to reach the third round of the tournament.
Tata came out strong, taking a 2–0 lead in the first-to-three sets format. However, England’s Ryan “The Barber” Meikle staged a thrilling comeback, ultimately winning 3–2 in a match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
The crowd roared for Meikle, but Kiwi supporters made their presence felt too, singing Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi as Tata built his early lead.
The Ally Pally Experience
Darts at Ally Pally is a spectacle that extends beyond the boards. Fans can enjoy a wide range of food and drinks outside the arena, try their hand at throwing practice darts, and join in the fun with elaborate fancy dress costumes. Children and adults alike were seen dressed as their favourite players, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.
The event also highlighted the global growth of darts, with stars like teenage phenom Luke Littler helping to expand the sport worldwide.
Results
Tuesday, 23 December saw several headline matches:
- Jonny Tata 2–3 Ryan Meikle
- Daryl Gurney (22) 2–3 Callan Rydz
- Jermaine Wattimena (19) 3–2 Scott Williams
- Peter Wright (30) 0–3 Arno Merk
- Danny Noppert (6) 2–3 Justin Hood
- Gary Anderson (14) 3–1 Connor Scutt
- Michael van Gerwen (3) 3–1 William O’Connor
- Josh Rock (11) 3–0 Joe Comito
Most results went largely as expected, though two-time world champion Peter Wright disappointed with an early exit. Former champions Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen performed strongly and are set on a collision course for a fourth-round showdown.
The standout of the day was Justin Hood—dubbed “Happy Feet”—who has quickly become a crowd favourite. Hood is confident he can go all the way and claim the £1,000,000 prize. When asked how he’d spend the money, he revealed his dream is to own a Chinese restaurant.
A Proud Day for Kiwis in the Crowd
For Kia Ora Canada, the day was a celebration of Kiwi talent on the global stage and a chance to experience one of the world’s most electric darts tournaments up close. Jonny Tata’s performance was a reminder of what’s possible for New Zealand players, and hopefully it will inspire a new generation of Kiwis to shine on the world’s biggest stage soon.