Meet "Champagne" Charlie
Charlie Manby is one of the most exciting young English players to emerge onto the professional darts circuit in recent years.
Known as "Champagne", the Yorkshireman has progressed from youth darts to the PDC professional circuit at remarkable speed, combining aggressive scoring with the confidence and composure to perform on some of the biggest stages in the sport.
From record-breaking averages on the Development Tour to a memorable Alexandra Palace debut and earning his PDC Tour Card, Manby's rise has quickly made him a name darts fans are becoming increasingly familiar with.
Where Is Charlie Manby From?
Born in 2005, Charlie Manby comes from Yorkshire and developed his game through local darts and the youth system before progressing onto the wider national and international stage.
His route into professional darts has been built through the traditional development pathway, competing in youth tournaments before establishing himself across the PDC Development and Challenge Tours.
Away from the oche, Manby also trained and worked as a bricklayer a background that makes his rapid transition towards full-time professional darts even more impressive.
Why Is Charlie Manby Called "Champagne"?
Manby competes under the nickname "Champagne", or "Champagne Charlie", an identity that has quickly become synonymous with the young Yorkshire player.
It also gives him one of the most fitting walk-ons in darts, with Oasis classic Champagne Supernova accompanying him to the stage.
As his profile has grown, the Champagne identity has followed him into his equipment and branding, including the design of his first signature Target darts.
Early Success in Youth Darts
Long before his breakthrough on the senior PDC stage, Manby was already demonstrating his potential against some of the best young players in Europe.
Representing England at the 2022 WDF Europe Youth Cup, Manby enjoyed a hugely successful tournament.
He won the Boys' Pairs alongside Thomas Banks and was also part of the England team with Banks, Archie Self and Luke Littler that claimed the Team and Overall titles.
That success placed Manby among an exceptionally talented generation of English youth players and provided an early indication of what was to follow.
A Record-Breaking Development Tour Performance
Manby's name reached a much wider darts audience during the 2025 PDC Development Tour.
In a remarkable 4-0 victory over Patrik Williams, Manby produced a 130.70 three-dart average.
It was the highest match average ever recorded on the PDC Development Tour at the time and immediately underlined the level of scoring power at his disposal.
A single exceptional performance was not the end of his Development Tour story either.
Later in 2025, Manby came through a huge field to claim his first Development Tour title, further establishing himself as one of the leading young players pushing towards the professional game.
Taking Luke Littler to a Deciding Leg
Manby also made an impression at the 2025 PDC World Youth Championship.
Reaching the last 16, he faced former youth rival and reigning champion Luke Littler in a dramatic encounter.
Manby pushed Littler all the way to a deciding leg and had opportunities to win the match before eventually bowing out.
Having competed against each other through the youth ranks, the match demonstrated how both players had progressed from junior competition towards the highest levels of professional darts.
Charlie Manby's Alexandra Palace Breakthrough
The next major step arrived when Manby qualified for his first PDC World Darts Championship through the Development Tour Order of Merit.
Making a World Championship debut at Alexandra Palace is a significant moment for any player. Manby did far more than simply make up the numbers.
He defeated seeded opposition in Cameron Menzies during an impressive debut run and continued through the tournament to reach the last 16.
Three victories on his first appearance at Ally Pally transformed Champagne Charlie from a highly rated Development Tour prospect into a player capable of producing results on darts' biggest stage.
His run eventually came to an end against Gian van Veen in the fourth round, but the tournament represented a major breakthrough in Manby's career.
Earning a PDC Tour Card
There was little time to reflect on his World Championship run before another major career milestone arrived.
At 2026 PDC Q-School, Manby successfully secured his PDC Tour Card and officially joined the professional circuit.
He earned his card on the final day of UK Q-School, overcoming experienced names including former Lakeside World Champion Steve Beaton and former Premier League star Mervyn King during his run.
It completed an extraordinary period of progression: from Development Tour winner and World Championship debutant to full PDC Tour Card holder.
Charlie Manby Joins Target Darts
Another major change followed in April 2026 when Charlie Manby signed with Target Darts.
The move brought Manby into a Target player roster featuring some of the biggest names and most exciting young talents in the sport.
For Manby, it also reunited him under the same manufacturer as Luke Littler, another player he had competed alongside and against throughout the youth ranks.
Target's signing of Manby reflected his rapid progression from promising youth player to established PDC professional.
How Does Charlie Manby Play?
Manby's game is characterised by fast, aggressive scoring.
When he finds his rhythm, he is capable of scoring heavily and playing with the freedom that has become a feature of the new generation of young PDC players.
His record-breaking Development Tour average demonstrated the level his scoring can reach, while his performances at Alexandra Palace showed that he can translate that ability onto a major televised stage.
That combination of scoring power, confidence and increasing experience makes his progression on the professional circuit particularly interesting to follow.
What Darts Does Charlie Manby Use?
Following his move to Target, Manby received his first signature player dart with the brand the Target Charlie Manby G1 SP 95% Tungsten Steel Tip Darts.
The Generation One has been developed around Manby's preferences and features a 95% tungsten front-loaded barrel, combining precision-machined grip towards the front with more intricate milling towards the rear.
Target's Swiss Point system allows the steel tips to be changed quickly, with Swiss Nano Points providing additional grip at the front of the setup.
The Champagne identity continues through the player-edition flights, finished in green and cream with champagne bubble graphics over a cork-inspired background.
It is a fitting first signature setup for a player whose nickname has become such a recognisable part of his emerging career.
What's Next for Charlie Manby?
Charlie Manby's career has moved incredibly quickly, but he is still at the beginning of life as a PDC professional.
Youth international success was followed by a record-breaking Development Tour performance, a first PDC title, an outstanding World Championship debut and a Tour Card all before his 21st birthday.
Now established on the professional circuit and representing Target Darts, the challenge is to continue that progression against the world's leading players.
The early signs have already shown why so much attention surrounds the Yorkshire youngster.
Remember the name - Champagne Charlie Manby.