# How darts world champion Smith could become a mainstream star

BBC Sport examines how newly crowned world champion Michael Smith can convert his darts title into broader mainstream fame. The piece looks at the marketing, media and profile-building steps that could lift him beyond the sport's core audience. It matters as a case study in how niche sports champions break through to wider public recognition.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Sports
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/c8y56qlzqq96o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:20:03 GMT
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/articles/c6ewe794nd2do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 08:17:03 GMT
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c0rdvxdwwwwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sun, 01 Nov 2026 22:25:01 GMT