Snooker star Mark Allen sparks debate after holding up cheeky sign at Premier League Darts in Belfast.

Snooker star Mark Allen sparks debate after holding up cheeky sign at Premier League Darts in Belfast.

 

 

 

 

Allen, a former UK Championship winner and one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable sporting figures, was in attendance at the sold-out event at the SSE Arena, where the raucous atmosphere and colourful crowd are as much a part of the spectacle as the arrows on stage. But it wasn’t the darts that grabbed social media’s attention — it was the sign Allen proudly displayed from the stands.

The 38-year-old held up a playful message aimed at the on-stage stars, drawing laughter from sections of the crowd and quickly going viral online. While the exact wording prompted divided reactions, the tone was unmistakably tongue-in-cheek — a nod to the long-running, light-hearted rivalry between snooker and darts fans.

Some supporters praised Allen for embracing the fun, arguing that darts — particularly under the bright lights of events organised by the Professional Darts Corporation — thrives on crowd interaction and humour. “It’s all part of the show,” one fan wrote on X. “If you can’t take a joke at the darts, you’re in the wrong place.”

Others, however, felt the sign crossed a line, suggesting it risked disrespecting the players competing on stage. The Premier League, one of the sport’s flagship roadshow events, is known for its party-like environment, but critics argued there is still a balance to be struck between banter and sportsmanship.

Allen is no stranger to speaking his mind. Throughout his snooker career, he has built a reputation not only for his sharp break-building but also for candid interviews and forthright opinions. In many ways, his appearance at the darts was a celebration of Northern Ireland’s rich sporting culture — with Belfast regularly hosting major events across boxing, snooker and darts.

The crossover between snooker and darts audiences is hardly new. Both sports share similar roots in British and Irish pub culture, and several players — past and present — have publicly expressed admiration for their cue- or arrow-wielding counterparts. Allen himself has previously spoken about enjoying darts events, praising their energy compared to the traditionally quieter snooker arenas.

Indeed, the contrast between the two sports has become a talking point in its own right. Snooker tournaments are renowned for their hushed crowds and etiquette, where even a cough can draw disapproving looks. Darts, by comparison, encourages fancy dress, chanting and signs — often humorous, sometimes outrageous.

By the end of the night in Belfast, Allen’s sign had become one of the most shared moments of the evening, underlining how sport in the social media age can extend far beyond the playing surface.

Whether viewed as harmless fun or ill-judged mischief, the incident once again demonstrated Allen’s ability to get people talking. And in a city that prides itself on passion and personality, perhaps that was always going to be the case.