Brief Introduction of Thibault Tricole
Thibault Tricole, known by his nickname “The French Touch,” is a pioneering professional darts player from France who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. Widely regarded as the most successful and best darts player in French history, Tricole has achieved numerous milestones for his country in the sport. He was the first French player to reach a World Championship final, achieving this at the 2022 WDF World Championship. Tricole also made history as the first person from France to compete in the prestigious PDC World Darts Championship and the first to win a match in the tournament. His dedication and success on the international stage have significantly raised the profile of darts in France, inspiring a new generation of players. Before turning professional, he worked as a landscape gardener, a job he left in 2019 to dedicate himself fully to his darting career.
Thibault Tricole Overview
| Full Name | Thibault Tricole |
| Date of Birth | October 11, 1989 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 36 |
| Birthplace | Auray, Brittany, France |
| Profession | Professional Darts Player |
| Husband/Wife | Marie |
| Family | Wife (Marie), one son (Aaron) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married to Marie |
| Net Worth | Estimated at over £150,490 (career earnings) |
Early Life and Education of Thibault Tricole
Thibault Tricole was born on October 11, 1989, in Auray, a town in the Brittany region of western France. He spent his childhood in Pluvigner, where his journey with darts began. His passion for the sport was ignited at the age of 12 when his father, Jean-Pierre Tricole, installed a dartboard in their living room. This simple act sparked a dedication that would define his future career. Tricole started playing relentlessly, and his natural talent quickly became apparent. Just two years after picking up his first darts, at the age of 15, he won the French Darts Federation’s junior title. While pursuing his passion, he also focused on his education and professional training, eventually becoming a landscape architect. For a period, his studies took him to Belgium, where he was exposed to a higher level of darts competition, which was instrumental in his development as a player. Despite his growing success in darts, he initially treated it as a hobby while working, as the prospect of a professional darts career in France seemed unrealistic at the time.
Thibault Tricole’s Career
Thibault Tricole’s professional darts career is a story of perseverance and breaking new ground for French darts. He began competing in British Darts Organisation (BDO) tournaments in 2010. For nearly a decade, he was a consistent presence on the circuit, honing his skills and gaining valuable experience. A significant turning point came in 2019 when he decided to leave his job as a landscape gardener to pursue darts full-time, a gamble that would pay off handsomely. That same year, he won his first BDO-ranked tournaments, the Torremolinos Open and the Greek Open.
In 2020, Tricole made history by becoming the first French player to qualify for the BDO World Darts Championship. He won his preliminary round match before exiting in the first round. His momentum continued to build, and in 2021, he captured the Denmark Open and Welsh Classic titles. The following year, 2022, was a landmark year for “The French Touch.” He reached the final of the WDF World Darts Championship, becoming the first player from France to do so, narrowly losing to Neil Duff in a thrilling match. This achievement firmly placed him and French darts on the global map.
Tricole’s ambition led him to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), the sport’s premier organization. After several attempts at Q-School, he finally earned a coveted PDC Tour Card in January 2024, becoming only the second French professional after Jacques Labre. This granted him access to the highly competitive PDC Pro Tour. Before securing his card, he had already made waves by qualifying for the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship via the West Europe Qualifier. In doing so, he became the first-ever French participant at the prestigious Alexandra Palace event. Not content with just participating, he defeated Mario Vandenbogaerde in the first round to also become the first Frenchman to win a match at the PDC World Championship. He has continued to prove he belongs among the elite, securing notable victories over former world champions like Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith on the tour.
Thibault Tricole Personal Life & Family
Thibault Tricole lives in Malguénac, a village in the heart of Brittany, France. He is married to Marie, who has been a significant source of support throughout his journey to becoming a professional darts player. It was Marie who encouraged him to take the leap and pursue his dream of playing darts professionally. The couple met in 2016 at Marie’s bar, “le Ty Lou,” during a league darts match. The bar itself is a hub for the local darts community. Together, they have a son named Aaron. Marie is actively involved in managing the logistical aspects of Thibault’s career, including travel, interviews, and events, allowing him to focus on his performance. Tricole is also a supporter of the French football club FC Lorient and signed a partnership deal with the club in October 2024. Before his professional career, he worked as a landscape gardener. He maintains a dedicated training routine, often practicing in the mornings after taking his son to daycare.
Awards and Achievements of Thibault Tricole
- WDF World Championship Runner-up: 2022
- PDC Tour Card Holder: 2024–Present
- First French player to qualify for the BDO World Darts Championship: 2020
- First French player to reach a World Darts Championship final (WDF): 2022
- First French player to qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship: 2024
- First French player to win a match at the PDC World Darts Championship: 2024
- First French player to win a match on the PDC European Tour
- Denmark Open winner: 2021
- Welsh Classic winner: 2021
- Isle of Man Masters winner: 2020
- Italian Open winner: 2022
- Greek Open winner: 2019
- Torremolinos Open winner: 2019
- PDC Challenge Tour winner (2 events): 2022, 2023
Thibault Tricole Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Thibault Tricole’s net worth is primarily derived from his career earnings as a professional darts player. His total career earnings are estimated to be over £150,490. It is important to note that this figure reflects prize money from tournaments and does not include income from other sources. His monthly salary from playing darts professionally is estimated at around £2,583. In his rookie year on the PDC Pro Tour in 2024, he earned £42,250 in prize money. The PDC Order of Merit, which ranks players based on prize money won over a two-year period, listed his earnings at £91,250, placing him at rank 61 in the world. Tricole’s income is further supplemented by sponsorships. He has partnership deals with several brands, including major darts manufacturer Winmau, FC Lorient, Billard Pool Shop, L-Style, and Ultimate Fishing. These endorsements contribute significantly to his overall annual income.
Legacy and Influence
Thibault Tricole’s legacy is firmly cemented as the trailblazer for darts in France. He has single-handedly elevated the sport’s visibility in a country where it has traditionally been a niche activity. By breaking numerous barriers—being the first Frenchman to reach a world final, the first to play at the PDC World Championship, and the first to win a match there—he has demonstrated that a successful professional career in darts is possible for French players. His achievements have not gone unnoticed, inspiring a new wave of interest and participation in darts across France. Before his success, he noted that British players were often surprised to learn that darts was even played in France. Now, he is a respected competitor on the professional circuit, earning the nickname “The French Touch” and changing perceptions of French darts worldwide. He actively works to develop the sport in his home country, a role he embraces with passion. His journey from a landscape gardener to a PDC professional serves as a powerful inspiration and has created a path for future generations of French dart players to follow.
Interesting Facts about Thibault Tricole
- Before becoming a full-time darts professional in 2019, Tricole worked as a landscape architect/gardener.
- He is a supporter of his local Brittany-based football team, FC Lorient, and has an official partnership with the club.
- His walk-on music for tournaments is the song “Essentielles” by French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf.
- He began playing darts at 12 years old after his father put up a dartboard in their home.
- Tricole has contributed to neuroscience research by participating in studies on motor skills at the Lyon Neuroscience Research Center.
- He became only the second French player in history, after Jacques Labre, to earn a professional PDC Tour Card.
- In an interview, his wife Marie described his typical training day summary as “Coffee, darts, interview.”
Controversies
Thibault Tricole’s career has been largely free of major public controversies. However, during his debut at the PDC World Darts Championship in 2023, he displayed visible frustration with his own performance. In his first-round victory against Mario Vandenbogaerde, after winning a set to level the match, he threw his final dart to the floor in annoyance despite having won the leg. This moment was captured on camera and highlighted his intense passion and high personal expectations, rather than any unsportsmanlike conduct towards his opponent. Additionally, like many non-British players, he has sometimes faced a less-than-welcoming reception from sections of the crowd at UK-based tournaments, an issue common for international players in the sport.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed.
- Twitter – Information not disclosed.
- YouTube – Information not disclosed.
Thibault Tricole maintains a professional website that provides news, results, and a schedule of his upcoming tournaments.
Final Words about Thibault Tricole
Thibault Tricole, “The French Touch,” continues to forge a remarkable path in the world of professional darts. Having made the courageous decision to leave his job and pursue his passion full-time, he has shattered expectations and established France as a credible nation in the sport. His journey to the final of the WDF World Championship and his subsequent historic appearances at the PDC World Championship have not only fulfilled a personal dream but have also ignited interest in darts throughout his home country. As a PDC Tour Card holder, his focus is now on climbing the world rankings and consistently competing against the best players in the world. With notable wins against top-tier opponents, Thibault Tricole has proven he has the skill and mentality to succeed at the highest level. His ongoing career will undoubtedly be watched closely by fans in France and around the world as he continues to carry the torch for French darts on the biggest stages.