The American Darters Association runs tournaments and sanctioned play at bars and dart clubs across the United States

The American Darters Association (ADA) is the national governing body for competitive dart play in the United States. If you play darts at a bar that hosts ADA events, you are playing under ADA rules and your scores may count toward rankings. The ADA maintains a directory of sanctioned locations — bars, dart clubs, and venues that host official tournaments and league play.

Finding an ADA location near you requires using the ADA's official venue finder or contacting the regional director for your state. The ADA divides the country into regions, and each region has a director who oversees sanctioned play and can tell you which bars in your area run ADA events. Not every bar with a dartboard is ADA-sanctioned, so the directory is the only reliable way to know whether a venue runs official play.

Key Takeaways

  • The ADA website has a searchable venue directory where you can find sanctioned bars and dart clubs by state or region.
  • Each ADA region has a director who can tell you which venues near you host sanctioned tournaments and league play.
  • Sanctioned venues run play under official ADA rules, and your scores may count toward national rankings if you compete there.
  • Regional directors also oversee player registration and can answer questions about how to join a league or enter a tournament.

How to Search the ADA Venue Directory

The ADA maintains a searchable database on its official website where you can look up sanctioned locations by state. You enter your state, and the directory returns a list of bars, dart clubs, and other venues that run ADA-sanctioned play. Each listing includes the venue's name, address, and phone number so you can contact them directly to ask about league nights, tournament schedules, or membership requirements.

The directory is updated regularly as venues join or leave the ADA network, but it is not always real-time. If you find a venue listed and want to confirm it is still active, call ahead before you go. Some venues run ADA play only on certain nights of the week, so knowing the schedule before you arrive saves a trip.

Finding Your Regional Director

If you cannot find what you need in the online directory, your ADA regional director can help. The ADA divides the country into regions — typically organized by state or groups of states — and each region has a director responsible for sanctioned venues, league play, and tournaments in that area. The ADA website lists regional directors by state, along with their contact information.

Regional directors know the local dart scene and can tell you which venues are currently active, which ones run leagues versus tournaments, and how to register as a player. They can also answer questions about ADA rules, membership fees, and how scores are tracked. If a venue in the directory is no longer running ADA play, your regional director will know and can point you to active alternatives.

What Happens at Sanctioned ADA Venues

At an ADA-sanctioned location, play follows official ADA rules and is overseen by a league operator or tournament director. Most sanctioned venues run league play on set nights — often weekly — where players compete in a structured format and accumulate points over a season. Some venues also host open tournaments where players can enter for a fee and compete for prize money or trophies.

When you play at a sanctioned venue, your scores are recorded and may be submitted to the ADA for ranking purposes. This means your performance contributes to your player rating and can affect your placement in tournaments. The venue operator or league director handles score reporting, so you do not have to submit anything yourself — you just show up and play.

Membership and Registration Requirements

To play in ADA-sanctioned league or tournament play, you typically need to register with the ADA and pay a membership or registration fee. The exact cost and process varies by region and venue, so ask the venue operator or your regional director what is required in your area. Some venues handle registration on-site, while others require you to register through the ADA website first.

Registration usually involves providing your name, contact information, and sometimes a photo for your player card. Once registered, you receive a player number that is used to track your scores and ratings. If you move to a different region or want to play at multiple venues, you typically register once and your number follows you.

Differences Between League Play and Tournaments

Most ADA-sanctioned venues run either league play, open tournaments, or both. League play is ongoing competition on a set schedule — usually one night per week over a season lasting several months. You join a team or play as an individual, compete each week, and accumulate points. League play is lower-pressure than tournaments and is designed for regular participation.

Tournaments are single-event competitions where players enter for a fee and compete in a bracket or round-robin format on a specific date. Tournaments are usually held monthly or quarterly and offer prize money or trophies to top finishers. You do not have to be a league member to enter a tournament, though some tournaments are restricted to ADA members or players with a certain rating.

Contacting a Venue Before You Go

Before visiting a sanctioned venue for the first time, call or check their website to confirm they are still running ADA play and to learn their schedule. Ask what nights league play happens, whether there are open tournaments coming up, what the entry fee or membership cost is, and whether you need to register in advance. Some venues require pre-registration for tournaments, especially if space is limited.

You can also ask whether the venue is beginner-friendly and whether there are players at your skill level. Many ADA venues welcome new players and have divisions or flights based on rating, so you will not necessarily be playing against experienced competitors on your first night. The venue operator can tell you what to expect and whether you should bring anything besides yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find ADA locations in my state?

Visit the ADA website and use the venue directory to search by state. You can also contact your state's ADA regional director, whose name and phone number are listed on the ADA website. The director can tell you which venues are currently active and which ones match what you are looking for.

Do I have to be an ADA member to play at a sanctioned venue?

Requirements vary by venue and region. Some venues require ADA membership to join league play, while others let you play casually without registering. Call the venue or your regional director to ask what is required in your area and what membership or registration costs.

What if there are no ADA venues near me?

Contact your regional director to ask whether any venues in your area are considering joining the ADA or whether there are plans to start a new league. You can also ask whether the ADA sanctions play at any venues outside your when ready area that you could travel to occasionally.

Can I play at multiple ADA venues?

Yes. Once you register with the ADA, your player number works at any sanctioned venue. Your scores and rating follow you, so you can play league at one venue and tournaments at another. Tell each venue operator about your registration so they can link your scores correctly.

How often do ADA venues update their schedules?

Schedules change seasonally and sometimes mid-season. Call the venue directly to confirm league nights and tournament dates rather than relying on outdated information. Your regional director can also tell you about upcoming events in your area.