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Presenting the Future of Darts at IFA

Winmau chose IFA Berlin 2026 to launch Autodarts, a digital ecosystem that lets players of all skill levels compete with anyone, anywhere by recognising where darts land through a smartphone at any standard dartboard.

This innovative technology is designed to unlock Darts for everyone, whether they be seasoned players, or new ones who benefit from the software handling the maths for them.

To showcase this inclusive software, Winmau needed a stand that could capture both audiences, It had to show the app as fun, open and easy for anyone who has never picked up a dart while also presenting as the obvious choice for advanced players, looking to play competitively with their Autodarts X setup, the higher level version of the product.

This is the challenge Tecna took on when designing and delivering this exhibition space at IFA.

The Challenge

It’s fair to say that IFA is not a exclusively a darts show. Winmau were competing for attention with the giants of consumer tech, in front of an audience drawn from the home tech, computing and gaming sectors, and many of those visitors had never thought about darts as a sport to participate in.

The stand wasn’t designed just for the show however, the space was going to be seen all over the world, as it was the launchpad for the release of Autodarts globally.

With this in mind, Winmau needed the stand to perform both in the hall and across social media both during and after the show.

One Stand, Two Visitor Journeys

Winmau’s stand was crafted around having two dedicated zones, each built to match a product with its ideal customer.

Zone 1: an open and inviting space, dedicated to getting potentially new players onto the stand and interested in darts, and the brand itself.

Zone 2: A rope-entry style area designed for experienced darts players, who would be more interested in the Autodarts X system, the highest level of the product, designed for competitive players looking to take their game to the next level.

Zone 1: The Autodarts App – Open, fun for everyone

Accessibility was the whole idea behind the app, Winmau built Autodarts to remove the barriers that stop new players joining in, taking away the often daunting maths side of the game, players are guided through games and rules, and offered family friendly game modes.

We designed this zone to work the same way. It was an inviting area in the middle of the stand, with no barriers to entry. Visitors could approach, point a phone at the board and watch LENS score their throws.

The layout invited people in rather than asking them to queue or turning them away. This perfectly suited a crowd of tech enthusiasts and curious passers-by.

Zone 2: Autodarts X- The Pro’s Arena

The second zone turned things up. Autodarts X is the premium tier, so we gave it a premium setting. We designed a richer, more considered space inspired by a professional’s home practice room. Bespoke shelving showed darts memorabilia, including trophies and photography from the sport’s biggest stages, which linked Autodarts X to the heritage and elite performance that Winmau is known for.

The message was simple: this is the kit built for players who take the game seriously.

The contrast between the two zones did the storytelling. A visitor could move from their first ever throw to a tournament-grade setup in a few steps, which reflected Winmau’s promise to support every player at every level.

Building For The Big Names

A stand this good needed the right people on the oche. The launch was backed by Winmau ambassador and #1 Ranked Dutch Player, Gian van Veen, and other well known professional darts players.

We designed with these appearances in mind, with sightlines, dwell space and room for crowds to gather around the action all factored into the design.

With such big names on the stand, it also had to double up as a set for internal and external media, the space wasn’t short of social media pieces to camera, adverts and long format videos, which were shot on the stand.

Hitting the target

Winmau successfully launched their new product globally, using the stand designed and delivered by Tecna as it’s launchpad.

The app reached #1 on the App Store during the show with over two million downloads. They enjoyed coverage from international Tech, Business and Darts Media, and picked up 4 awards at the show for their exhibition, including:

  • Trusted Reviews: Best in Show
  • T3: Best of IFA 2026 Award
  • The Ambient: Best in Show Award

Winmau’s presence at IFA demonstrated perfectly how a stand can reach way past it’s location in an exhibition hall, and become a key anchor in your marketing strategy.

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