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Winmau Redefines the Future of Darts with Launch of Autodarts Ecosystem, Promising to Connect More Players Than Ever Before

Business

Winmau Redefines the Future of Darts with Launch of Autodarts Ecosystem, Promising to Connect More Players Than Ever Before
Business

Business

Winmau Redefines the Future of Darts with Launch of Autodarts Ecosystem, Promising to Connect More Players Than Ever Before

2026-09-03 20:04 Last Updated At:20:40

CARROLLTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 3, 2026--

Winmau, the world’s leading dartboard manufacturer, today introduced Autodarts, a digital ecosystem that lets players of all levels compete with anyone, anywhere. The launch was announced live at IFA Berlin 2026, the world’s largest consumer tech and electronics trade show, where Autodarts is being showcased to thousands of attendees across the home tech, computing, and gaming sectors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260903392713/en/

Backed by Winmau ambassador Gian van Veen, the Dutch player ranked World No. 2, the launch underscores the company’s ambition to connect every level of the sport, from newcomers picking up their first darts to elite professionals on the world’s biggest stages.

Winmau Autodarts is set to democratize the sport of darts by tackling the barriers that can prevent new players joining the darts community – removing the math required, guiding players through games and rules; providing players with multiple ways to play the game – including accessible game modes that the whole family can enjoy together; and helping them to easily compete and track their progress.

Winmau Autodarts supports players at every level, from complete beginners learning the basics to advanced players chasing marginal gains through higher-quality matchplay and training, with integrated software and hardware designed to elevate the experience.

At the center of the Autodarts experience is the Winmau Autodarts app, powered by its hero feature: LENS. LENS is Winmau’s proprietary auto-scoring technology that transforms smartphones into a world-class scoring assistant. By simply pointing a phone at the dartboard, players can instantly access intelligent scoring, online play, gameplay insights, and guided support.

Beyond LENS, the app introduces breakthrough tools including in-depth performance stats, interactive online matchplay, and the world’s first AI referee.

The app is available worldwide in English, German and Dutch, with compatibility across web, iOS, and Android. It offers both free and Plus content, with Plus available for $6.99 per month. Already, Autodarts connects players to a global community of 200,000 registered users and a Discord community of 40,000 members.

Players can choose from a variety of game modes: challenge friends directly, use matchmaking to be paired with opponents of similar skill anywhere in the world, compete in 1-on-1 matches, join games with up to six players, or enter tournaments running throughout the day. For solo practice, they can also face an AI bot.

With the app’s autoscoring, players can track scores in real time, receive guidance on the best scoring zones to aim for, and get automated checkouts required to finish a game. Beyond the on-screen display, an AI referee calls the scores aloud, creating an authentic matchplay environment.

The app provides in-game stats updated in real time, along with historical performance data so players can track progress, highlight strengths, and identify areas to improve.

Plus, features within the app include score calling from iconic darts referee Huw Ware, the world’s first AI referee to independently review disputed throws, customizable digital darts, exclusive tournaments, private competitions, and more.

For those looking to elevate their game, Winmau Autodarts X delivers a professional-grade connected darts experience unlike anything else on the market. As a flagship of the Autodarts ecosystem, Autodarts X combines four HD cameras with PinPoint Detection technology and integrated 360° plasma-class lighting to provide tournament-level accuracy, advanced training insights, and a fully immersive matchplay environment. Designed for ambitious players who want the ultimate home setup, the hardware clips onto any standard dartboard and stand with no drilling required, taking users from unboxing to play in under two minutes. Autodarts X sets a new benchmark for connected darts technology.

LENS is designed to redefine how consumers access and play darts, delivering instant auto-scoring through a device millions already own – their smartphone – and opening the sport to a new generation. A free version of LENS makes the core features accessible to everyone, while the unlimited version is available through a Plus subscription.

Inspired by video gaming, LENS offers a category-defining experience that’s expected to resonate with players under 30-years-old, which is the fastest growing segment of darts players.

Tom Brown, CEO of Nodor Group, parent company of Winmau and Autodarts, commented:

“We acquired Autodarts and brought the business into the Nodor Group last year and everything we’ve announced today builds on that foundation and our aim to democratize the sport of darts. Winmau Autodarts is our platform, it offers a variety of games, tracks every dart and scores. With innovations like LENS and Autodarts X we’re removing barriers, elevating performance, and creating a truly global community, whether its families playing together at home, friends competing online from different countries or serious players looking to improve their performance. This ecosystem represents a major shift in how the sport is played and marks the next chapter in our company’s history.”

Winmau has been the pinnacle of performance and innovation since 1945, trusted by the best players on the biggest stages. As the official partner of the PDC, ADC, CDC and JDC, Winmau boards are at the center of every major moment in the sport.

Autodarts is the next chapter of that innovation. From the world's leading dartboards, trusted at the highest level of professional darts, to a fully integrated digital ecosystem — enabling every player, at every level, to play without limits.

Throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, the company will roll out a steady pipeline of new features, game modes and platform innovations - including additional online and offline game experiences, leagues, camera and board streaming, rewards, badges, streaks and enhanced gamification tools. As Winmau continues to redefine the connected darts experience, breakthrough products, features and experiences are already in development including a forward-facing camera.

Winmau Autodarts launches today, with the app and LENS now available globally and the camera system available for pre-order in October, with units shipping in November. For more information visit https://winmau.com/collections/autodarts.

Pricing:

About Nodor Group

Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Bridgend, South Wales, Nodor International is the global leader in darts equipment. Its portfolio includes Winmau, the Professional Darts Corporation’s exclusive dartboard provider, and Red Dragon, a brand at the cultural forefront of the sport. Nodor products are sold in 128 countries worldwide and trusted by elite professionals, including multiple PDC World Champions.

About Winmau

Winmau is a premium darts brand under Nodor, founded in 1945 and headquartered in Bridgend, Wales. As the exclusive dartboard supplier to the Professional Darts Corporation, Winmau is renowned for championship-grade boards, tungsten darts and innovation. Trusted by top players worldwide, Winmau sets standards in performance and quality.

About Autodarts

Autodarts is an automatic dart scoring system which enables every player, at every level, to play without limits. Combining the world's best physical dartboards with a fully integrated digital ecosystem, Autodarts provides players with intelligent auto-scoring, in-depth stats to analyse gameplay, interactive online play, the world’s first AI referee and a global community of over 200,000 players, with millions of darts thrown every day.

Autodarts Board

Autodarts Board

BEIRUT (AP) — A Lebanese man who had been held prisoner in Israel was released Thursday, the first such handover since the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war six months ago, the International Committee of the Red Cross and two Lebanese security officials said.

The man, identified as Malek Ghazi, was handed over to the Lebanese army via the ICRC, one of the Lebanese security officials said. The other official said they were anticipating the release of another prisoner. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that Ghazi was handed over to the ICRC at the border crossing in the coastal town of Naqoura on Lebanon's southern frontier and was then transferred to a Lebanese army intelligence office in the city of Tyre.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dozens of Lebanese prisoners are believed to be held in Israeli detention centers, including civilians as well as Hezbollah militants captured during fighting in southern Lebanon. The circumstances of Ghazi’s capture were not immediately clear, but one of the Lebanese officials said he was a civilian.

The prisoner release came as talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials had appeared to reach an impasse. Lebanon and Israel in June signed a U.S.-mediated framework deal under which Israeli forces were to withdraw from areas they are occupying in southern Lebanon in exchange for disarmament of the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, but little progress has been made in implementation on the ground.

Another round of talks is expected to take place in Rome later this month.

Hezbollah is not a party to the Lebanon-Israel talks and has said it will not give up its weapons in any area north of southern Lebanon's Litani river. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have said they will not withdraw unless Hezbollah is disarmed throughout the country.

The Lebanese state has been reluctant to attempt to forcibly disarm the militant group, which is also a political party and social services provider with a large popular base in the country's Shiite Muslim community.

Lebanon fought a brutal civil war from 1975 to 1990, and many fear that any clash between the Lebanese army and Hezbollah could spiral into another devastating civil conflict.

Hezbollah and Israel have fought a series of wars since the militant group was founded with Iranian support in the 1980s to combat Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon at the time. Their latest war began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired missiles over the border, two days after the U.S. and Iran attacked Iran.

Smoke and flames rise as Israeli forces demolish homes in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, southern Lebanon, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Smoke and flames rise as Israeli forces demolish homes in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, southern Lebanon, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

An Israeli tank takes a position in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, southern Lebanon, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

An Israeli tank takes a position in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, southern Lebanon, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Smoke rises as Israeli forces demolish homes in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, southern Lebanon, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Smoke rises as Israeli forces demolish homes in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, southern Lebanon, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

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