World Darts Championship player has risque nickname banned by PDC at Ally Pally.

World Darts Championship player has risque nickname banned by PDC at Ally Pally.

 

 

Australian professional darts player Tim Pusey has been at the centre of an unusual controversy at the 2025/26 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London. The issue stems from his chosen nickname, “The Magnet,” which the PDC has barred from being used at the tournament because of its suggestive overtones when combined with his surname, Pusey. The governing body reserved the right to prohibit nicknames that could be seen as offensive, vulgar, or inappropriate for a global sporting event.

Pusey qualified for the World Championship by topping the Australian Darts Association Tour rankings, highlighted by back-to-back tournament wins in Victoria this year. However, despite securing his place in the prestigious competition — a significant achievement in its own right — he has been prevented from displaying his preferred moniker on his match shirt and in official event materials

Player’s Reaction and Next Steps

Pusey has taken the decision in good humour. On the Tungsten Tales podcast he explained that he’ll need to choose a new nickname — perhaps even involving a fan poll — because virtually anything he can think of “can be taken the wrong way.” He’s currently without a replacement nickname and joked that without one, the “chants can be colourful” from the famously rowdy Ally Pally crowd.

It’s not the first time the PDC has stepped in on this issue: in 2023, Owen “The Master” Bates also had his nickname banned from use at the World Championship for similar reasons, highlighting that this is a consistent enforcement of the PDC’s standards rather than a one-off.

Context: Importance of Nicknames in Darts

Nicknames have long played a big role in the culture and branding of darts. Walk-on names like “The Power” (Phil Taylor) or “The Iceman” (Gerwyn Price) help build player identities and fan connections. But with global TV audiences and major sponsors involved, the PDC maintains a policy that prevents suggestive, offensive, or inappropriate nicknames from being promoted on official merchandise or screens. The PDC and its regulatory arm take this seriously at flagship events like the World Championship, where the sport aims for mainstream appeal.

Tournament Framework and Significance

This edition of the World Darts Championship features an expanded 128-player field, running from 11 December to 3 January, with a £5 million prize fund and a £1 million winner’s cheque — double the champion’s haul of past years. The event draws darts fans from around the world to Alexandra Palace (“Ally Pally”), where lively atmospheres, passionate supporters, and colourful walk-on rituals are all part of the experience.

While Pusey’s situation has amused many fans and media outlets, it’s also prompted discussion about how far governing bodies should go in regulating player identities in modern sport — balancing freedom of expression with professionalism and international broadcast standards.