In 1978 the first World Darts Championship was organised by the British Darts Organisation and sponsored by Embassy tobacco. The winner Leighton Rees from Wales received a trophy and a cheque for the some of £3,000.

Since then the game has grown into one of the best loved and viewed sports on television. It has made many darters into house hold names here are just a few:

John Lowe 3 times World Champion, Eric Bristow 5 times World Champion, Raymond van Barneveld 5 times World Champion  & Phil Taylor 13 times World.

The game has recently been recognised by Sport England as a sporting activity which could pave the way to the sport featuring in future Olympic Games.

Darts is one of the fasted growing sports in Holland, China and Asia. Over a third of the Dutch population watched Raymond Van Barneveld become the first Dutch player to take the World Darts title in 1998; he has since then won the title a further four times 1999, 2003, 2005 and in the Ladbrookes.com PDC 2007 World Darts Championship beating the reigning champion Phil Taylor 7 sets to 6 and a sudden death leg in the final set. Raymond now equals Eric Bristow's achievement but still trails Phil Taylor's staggering 13 World Title victories.  

The prize fund for the 2006, 2007 & 2008 has also increased with a staggering £100,000 going to the winner of the Ladbrookes.com World Championship Winner a far cry from the first World Championships of £3,000. This event moved to the Alexandra Palace in December 2007.  The Alexandra Palace know as the 'Ally Pally' was the stage setting for the world renowned 'News of the World Darts tournaments'.