Introduction
Charlie Manby has emerged as one of the most talked-about young names in English darts. Born on 4 August 2005 in Huddersfield, England, he has progressed from youth competitions and local darts to the Professional Darts Corporation stage. His rise has been built on strong performances, impressive scoring ability and a willingness to keep developing his game.
His journey has also included setbacks, including defeats in important youth competitions and difficult matches against established opponents. However, those setbacks have formed part of a wider story of progress. His record-breaking Development Tour performance, World Championship debut and 2026 PDC Tour Card have turned Charlie Manby into a notable English darts player to follow.
Quick Bio of Charlie Manby
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charlie Manby |
| Nickname | “Champagne” |
| Date of Birth | 4 August 2005 |
| Birthplace | Huddersfield, England |
| Hometown | Wakefield area, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Profession | Professional darts player |
| Sport | Darts |
| Throwing Hand | Right-handed |
| Darts Brand | Target |
| Walk-On Music | “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis |
| PDC Career | 2024–present |
| PDC Tour Card | 2026–present |
| Major Breakthrough | 2025 PDC Development Tour |
| World Championship Debut | 2025/26 |
| World Championship Result | Fourth round |
| Current Career Status | Professional PDC player |
Charlie Manby’s Early Life and Introduction to Darts
Charlie Manby developed his interest in darts at a young age. His early connection with the sport came through his father, and he began playing at a local working men’s club. This provided an important starting point before he progressed into organised youth competitions and began testing himself against stronger players.
Alongside darts, Manby developed practical skills outside sport. He gained a qualification in bricklaying and worked in the trade for several years. His unusual combination of professional construction work and an increasingly successful darts career became an important part of his story before he eventually decided to concentrate on darts full-time.
Charlie Manby’s Youth Darts Career
Manby’s early progress became particularly noticeable in youth darts. He represented England at the WDF Europe Youth Cup in 2022 and enjoyed success in both individual and team-related competition. His performances during this period demonstrated that he could compete successfully against other talented young players.
He was also part of an England youth group that included Luke Littler, creating an early connection between two players who later became familiar names in professional darts. Youth competition gave Manby valuable experience and helped prepare him for the more demanding PDC Development Tour.
Charlie Manby’s Record-Breaking 2025 Performance
One of the biggest turning points in Manby’s career arrived in February 2025 on the PDC Development Tour. During Development Tour Event 4, he produced a remarkable three-dart average of 130.70 while defeating Patrik Williams 4–0. The performance was reported as the highest recorded average in PDC Development Tour history at the time.
The achievement immediately attracted attention because of the quality of the scoring. Manby later explained that he had not been concentrating on creating a record during the match. Instead, his focus was simply on playing well and winning. The record nevertheless became an important milestone in his development as an English darts player.
Development Tour Success
The record-breaking average was not an isolated moment. Manby continued to make progress during the 2025 Development Tour and reached a final before eventually claiming his first Development Tour title later in the season. His victory at Event 16 in September further strengthened his position among the leading young players.
His performances also helped him secure qualification for the PDC World Darts Championship. The Development Tour became a crucial bridge between his youth career and senior professional darts, giving him regular experience against ambitious players seeking to establish themselves on the PDC circuit.
World Championship Breakthrough
Manby’s biggest public breakthrough came at the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship. Making his debut at Alexandra Palace, he immediately faced a major challenge against experienced seed Cameron Menzies. Manby won the contest and continued his impressive run through the tournament.
He then defeated Adam Sevada before progressing further and ultimately reaching the fourth round. His run ended with a defeat against Gian van Veen, but reaching the last 16 on his World Championship debut represented a major achievement for a player still at the beginning of his professional career.
The Cameron Menzies Match
The opening-round victory over Cameron Menzies became one of the most memorable moments of Manby’s early career. The match went deep into the deciding set, creating a tense finish for the young debutant. Manby remained focused and secured the victory in the deciding leg.
The match also attracted attention because of Menzies’ emotional reaction after the defeat. Reports described an incident involving the Scottish player and a table after the match. Manby himself remained focused on his own performance and continued through the tournament.
Charlie Manby and His Bricklaying Background
One of the most distinctive parts of Manby’s story is his work as a bricklayer. Even after gaining attention in professional darts, he continued working in construction for a period. His experience demonstrated how his sporting career developed alongside a conventional trade rather than beginning immediately as a full-time professional athlete.
Following his World Championship success, Manby decided that professional darts offered an opportunity to take his career to another level. In 2026, he confirmed that he was leaving his bricklaying job to concentrate fully on darts. This marked a significant change as he moved from balancing two careers to pursuing professional competition full-time.
Charlie Manby Earns His PDC Tour Card
In January 2026, Manby achieved another important milestone at PDC Qualifying School. On the final day of UK Q School, he produced a strong sequence of victories and secured an automatic PDC Tour Card. The achievement officially opened the door to regular PDC ProTour competition.
The Tour Card represented the next stage of his development. Instead of relying mainly on youth and Development Tour opportunities, Manby could now compete regularly against established professionals. It also gave him the opportunity to build ranking points, experience and further tournament success during the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Charlie Manby Joins Target Darts
Another important development arrived in April 2026 when Manby joined Target Darts. The partnership connected the young player with an established darts equipment brand and reflected the growing commercial interest around his career.
Target’s association with Manby also supports his identity as a professional player. His nickname “Champagne” and his walk-on music, Oasis’s “Champagne Supernova,” have become recognisable elements of his presentation when he walks onto the stage.
Playing Style and Professional Development
Manby is a right-handed player known for his scoring ability. His 130.70 Development Tour average demonstrated just how high his scoring level can reach when his game is flowing. However, professional darts requires consistency across long tournaments, and his first full Tour Card season provides an important opportunity to develop that consistency.
His career also shows the importance of learning from difficult matches. Not every tournament has produced a deep run, and defeats have accompanied his victories. Those results are a normal part of the transition from youth darts to the professional circuit, where experienced players compete week after week.
Personal Life and Family
Manby’s family has played an important role in his development. His early introduction to darts came through his father, and family support has remained part of his journey from local competition to the professional stage. His background also shows how his sporting ambitions developed alongside education, vocational training and employment.
Away from competition, Manby’s personal life has also entered the public record through his relationship. In 2026, reports stated that he and his girlfriend Tia were expecting their first child in October. This represents an important personal milestone during the same period in which his professional darts career has been developing rapidly.
Charlie Manby Career Timeline
2022
Manby represented England at the WDF Europe Youth Cup and achieved success in the pairs and team competitions.
2024
He continued his progression into PDC competition as he moved closer to the senior professional circuit.
February 2025
Manby recorded his remarkable 130.70 three-dart average during the PDC Development Tour, setting a major statistical milestone.
September 2025
He won PDC Development Tour Event 16, strengthening his position in the qualification race for the World Championship.
December 2025
Manby made his PDC World Championship debut and defeated Cameron Menzies in the opening round before progressing further.
January 2026
He reached the fourth round of the World Championship and then secured a PDC Tour Card at Q School.
April 2026
Manby joined Target Darts and confirmed his decision to focus on professional darts rather than continuing his bricklaying career.
Charlie Manby’s Major Achievements
Manby’s achievements already include several important milestones despite his young age. His England youth success, Development Tour title, record-setting average and World Championship run have created a strong foundation for his professional career.
His 2026 Tour Card is arguably the most important structural change in his career because it provides regular access to the PDC ProTour. His future progress will depend on how he performs against experienced professionals and how effectively he converts his scoring ability into consistent tournament results.
What Makes Charlie Manby’s Story Different?
The most interesting aspect of Manby’s journey is the combination of ordinary working life and elite sporting ambition. He spent years learning and working as a bricklayer while continuing to practise darts and compete. That path is different from the traditional image of a young athlete entering a professional system from an early age.
His story also demonstrates how quickly a player’s career can change after one exceptional performance. The 130.70 average brought attention, while his World Championship run transformed that attention into wider recognition. The Tour Card then gave him the professional platform needed to continue developing.
Conclusion
Charlie Manby has already experienced a remarkable rise from local and youth darts to the PDC professional circuit. His 130.70 Development Tour average, Development Tour title, World Championship fourth-round appearance and 2026 Tour Card have established important milestones in his career.
There have also been difficult defeats along the way, but they form part of the learning process for a young professional. With his full-time focus now on darts and his partnership with Target Darts, Charlie Manby’s next chapter will be about turning early breakthroughs into sustained success on the professional stage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charlie Manby
1. Who is Charlie Manby?
Charlie Manby is an English professional darts player who competes in PDC events.
2. When was Charlie Manby born?
He was born on 4 August 2005 in Huddersfield, England.
3. What is Charlie Manby’s nickname?
His nickname is “Champagne.”
4. Where did Charlie Manby first become interested in darts?
He became interested in darts at a young age through his father and local darts environment.
5. Did Charlie Manby work before becoming a full-time professional?
Yes, he trained and worked as a bricklayer before moving into full-time professional darts.
6. Does Charlie Manby have a family?
Yes, his family has supported his darts development, and in 2026 he and his girlfriend Tia announced that they were expecting their first child.
7. What is Charlie Manby’s walk-on song?
His walk-on song is “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis.
8. Is Charlie Manby a professional darts player?
Yes, he earned a PDC Tour Card in January 2026.
9. What is Charlie Manby’s biggest darts record?
His 130.70 three-dart average in the 2025 Development Tour was reported as the highest recorded PDC Development Tour match average at that time.
10. How far did Charlie Manby reach at the World Championship?
He reached the fourth round, or last 16, of the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship on his debut.
