The 2019 Isle of Man Darts Festival gets underway at the Villa Marina today (Thursday) and continues until Sunday.

Now in its 34th year, the festival - sponsored by PokerStars - is with one of the most eagerly-anticipated and best-attended events in the British Darts Organisation calendar.

With more than £30,000 in prize money up for grabs, the competition offers players the chance to build up valuable ranking points which can provide the gateway to a place in the World Championships and helps to confirm the Manx event as one of the most popular tournaments on the darts calendar.

Over the years the event has attracted names such as Gary Anderson, Lisa Ashton, Ted Hankey and Martin ’Wolfie’ Adams.

Some of the biggest names in the sport have been confirmed to toe the oche in the Royal Hall over the next few days, including two-time BDO world champion Scott Waites, four-time BDO world champ Ashton, Jim Williams, Darryl Fitton, Tony O’Shea, Trina Gulliver, Fallon Sherrock and teenage sensation 15-year-old Beau Greaves.

Action gets underway this evening at 8pm in the visitisleofman.com-sponsored men’s and women’s classic competitions.

Friday sees the Darts Corner-sponsored men’s and women’s Isle of Man Masters event begin at 1pm, before a busy evening from 8pm featuring the IoM Event Services-sponsored Mixed Fours, which sees pairs and mixed pairs action and a possible four-player team deciding leg.

Saturday’s action will start at 10.30am in the PokerStars-backed men’s and women’s Isle of Man Open competitions, prior to the IoM Events Services-supported Youth tournament at approximately 2.30pm

The final day gets underway at the earlier time of 9.30am with the Steam Packet-sponsored men’s and women’s pairs events, before the main finals get underway on the stage roughly between 2-2.30pm.

Entry is free for spectators and there will be live streaming coverage on Saturday and Sunday.

Spectators are advised to get there early for the finals in order to get a seat - fancy dress welcome.

For more information, visit www.isleofmandartsfestival.com