The Ally Pally Wasp Returns: Tiny Insect Steals the Show at World Darts Championship

The Unlikely Star of Alexandra Palace

The World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace has an unexpected celebrity this December: a persistent wasp that has become part of tournament folklore. Darts fans have rallied around the so-called ‘Ally Pally Wasp,’ celebrating its resilience during the ongoing World Darts Championship, with this unusual hero making headlines after surviving two near misses during the tournament.

Disrupting the Game’s Biggest Stars

For years, a wasp has been charging around the Ally Pally and it has taken just two days for the impact to be made at the 2025/26 tournament. After his win over Darius Labanauskas, Luke Littler spent the beginning of his post-match interview trying to dodge the famous Alexandra Palace wasp. The Ally Pally wasp was back again but was getting a little too close to the action during the first round game between Richard Veenstra and Nitin Kumar at the World Championship.

The insect’s most dramatic moment came when footage showed the wasp taking a direct hit from a dart thrown by player Nitin Kumar. Ross Smith won the third set against Andreas Harrysson, despite having a wasp on his shoulder during the leg, though Smith failed to take his chance in the fourth set after fighting off the Ally Pally wasp and was punished by Harrysson.

A Long-Standing Tradition

The buzzers have been flying around the venue for over a decade with Adrian Lewis first to come into contact with an insect pest during his run to the title in 2011/2012. In 2023, player Ross Smith experienced multiple stings during a match, demonstrating the wasp’s persistent presence.

Why Wasps Love Ally Pally

Experts believe the cooler winter weather typically drives wasps into hibernation, but the heated environment during the tournament lures them back out to enjoy spilled drinks and food scraps. Others speculated that a nest might be hidden in the rafters, hinting at more wasps ready to join the fray.

Conclusion: A Symbol of Resilience

The Ally Pally wasp has evolved from mere nuisance to beloved character, even earning its own social media following. As the championship progresses, the Ally Pally Wasp remains a symbol of resilience, embodying the fierce spirit of the tournament. Whether it survives the entire championship remains to be seen, but it has already secured its place in darts history as one of the sport’s most entertaining sideshows.