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WDF Darts Lakeside World Darts Champions 2024 - Nov 29 - Dec 8, 2024 YouTube Blazze TV

WDF World Darts Championships returns to the iconic Lakeside Country Club Venue from November 29 – December 8. Eighty-four Dart Players from across the globe will battle it out to become a WDF World Darts Champion. There are four events: the men's, women's, and boys' and girls' tournaments taking place simulationally, with all play on the Lakeside stage.

This year, the WDF have a new World Championship dartboard sponsor, 'Mission'. The Mission Samurai Infinity Dartboard will be used throughout the competition. The same dartboard is used in the UK County Events. Lakeside and L-Style are the other main sponsors of this tournament.

Further details can be seen below. The qualified players who have been invited to play. The prize fund breakdown. TV / Streaming via WDF YouTube Channel, and Semi-Finals and Finals Via free-to-air Blaze TV. You can also purchase tickets using the link below. There are also some helpful details on how to find the Lakeside Country Club Venue by car or public transport.

The WDF World Darts Championship total prize fund of £221,00  has yet again been reduced for 2024. However, the first prize for the men and women remains unchanged from last year. But, with an increased playing field, the share for the other players has dramatically been reduced. The total prize fund in 2023 was £257,00, and in 2022, £300,000. Nevertheless, this is the WDF showpiece event, and I hope dart fans will tune in to watch the historic Lakeside Venue Event.

(World Championship details below...)

 

PDC Darts PDC World Darts Championships Dec 15 - Jan 3, 2025 viaplay

The PDC World Darts Championships returns to the Ally Pally, London, with the biggest prize money in darts, a total of £2.5 Million. Ninety-six players compete, but only one will win the Sid Waddell World Trophy and a cheque for £500,000. London's biggest Christmas Party lasts two weeks as fans descend from across the globe sporting their fancy dress for the occasion. Live on Sky Sports, DAZN and Viaplay. Viewers with Sky but not Sky Sports can upgrade to follow the arrows for one month. Contact Sky for more details.

(World Championship details below...)

(updated 07/12/2024)

WDF & PDC World Darts Championships 2024-25 Tournament Details

 

WDF World Darts Championships 2024

 

WDF Darts WDF World Darts Championship 2024 - Lakeside, Frimley Green, Surrey

 

WDF World Championship Venue - Lakeside, Frimely Green, Surrey

Date: 28th November – 8th December 2024

The World's top-ranked WDF players and Lakeside legends will return to one of the sport's most iconic venues, The Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green. With the men's and women's events in place, there will be a boys' and girls' World Championship. The WDF will be played between the 28th November – 8th December 2024

The current men's WDF World Champion Andy Baetens will not be returning to defend his 2023 title as he won a two-year PDC tour card at the PDC Q-School in January 2024 and now plays on the PDC circuit of events. However, Beau Greaves will look to defend her WDF Women's World Title. After qualifying for both the WDF and the PDC World Championships, Beau has again declined the invitation to play in the PDC World Champions in favour of the all-female WDF World Championships.

Darts fans will also be pleased to know that Paul Lim, at the age of 70, has again qualified for the WDF World Championships. Paul was the first and only player to hit a perfect nine-dart leg at the BDO World Darts Champions. I am sure he will be hoping to replicate some of his old form in this year's World Finals.

Both the men's and women's World Championship will feature the best players in the World who don't play in the PDC. Players and fans alike will warmly welcome a return to the Lakeside venue.

 

TV Coverage: YouTube Blazze TV

 

The WDF YouTube Channel will broadcast the 2024 WDF Lakeside World Darts Championships. The semi-final and finals will also be shown via the free-to-air Blaze TV Channel (Freeview 64/Sky HD 164/Freesat 161/Virgin 174/Sky Glass 169/BLAZE App).

 

A return to the famous Lakeside Country Club, Surry will be warmly welcome for many darts fans.

Tickets are avilble via Eventbite

Children under 12 cannot be admitted to the venue and under 18's must be accompanied by an adult a responsible adult at all times.

Due to the multiple levels within the venue wheelchair users should contact customerservice@wdfpromotions.com for accessible seating options.

TV Coverage from 29th Nov - 8 Dec 2024



Event Tickets and Packages

Event Tickets and Package Deals are available via Eventbrite - Lakeside. Also, contact the venue for any restrictions that may be in place.

Please check the venue age restrictions before ordering. If you have any queries please contact the WDF website or Eventbrite where you will find the latest information


Session Schedule Guide

Both afternoon and evening sessions will feature during the nine-day event. Furth details can be found on the WDF Website

 Day Date Afternoon Evening
Friday 29th November 2024 --- 7pm
Saturday 30th November 2024 1pm 7pm
Sunday 1st December 2024 1pm 7pm
Monday 2nd December 2024 1pm 7pm
Tuesday 3rd December 2024 1pm 7pm
Wednesday 4th December 2024 1pm 7pm
Thursday 5th Decemver 2024 1pm 7pm
Friday 6th December 2024 1pm 7pm
Saturday 7th December 2024 2pm 7pm
Sunday 8th December 2024 --- 5pm

 

Traveling to The Lakeside Country Club, Frimely Green, Surrey)

 

By Road

Lakeside Country Club, Wharf Road, Frimley, Green, Camberley, Surrey

Sat Nav

Post Code: GU16 6PT

Parking: There is ample parking at the lakeside venue

Travel by Bus & Train

Directions to Lakeside, Frimley Green (Surrey Heath) with public transport

The following transport lines have routes that pass near Lakeside, Frimley Green

Bus No. 1, 3, 48, 11, 85

Train: GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY, SOUTH WESTERN RAILAY

More Travel information via moovitapp.co

 

moovitapp.com

 

WDF World Darts Championship Prize Fund

A total prize fund of £221.000 is on offer at the 2024 WDF World Darts Championships. £50,000 first prize for the Men and the Women’s Championships with £25,000 going to the winner. A full breakdown can be seen below.

 

 Prize Fund 2024 Men   Women   Boy   Girl  
Champion £50,000 £25,000 £3,000 £1,500
Runner-Up £16,000 £8,000 £1,500 £1,000
Semi-Finalist £8,000 £4,000 £500 £500 
Quarter-Finalist £4,000 £2,000 - - -  - - - 
Last 16 £2,000 £1,000 - - -  - - - 
Last 24 - - -  £750 - - -  - - - 
Last 32 £1,250 - - -  - - -  - - - 
Last 48 £750 - - -  - - -  - - - 
Total £146,000 £66,000 £5,500 £3,500

 

WDF World Darts Championship 2024 Players Draw and Schedule

 

WDF Darts WDF World Darts Championship 2024 - Players Draw & Schedule

 

2024 WDF World Darts Championship Qualifiers

The World's top-ranked WDF players and Lakeside legends will return to one of the sports most iconic venues, The Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green. With the Men's and Women's events in place, there will be a Boy's and Ggirl's World Championship. The WDF World Championship will be played between the 29th Novmber and 8th Decmber 2024

The current men's WDF World Champion Andy Baetens will not be returning to defend his 2023 title as he won a two-year PDC tour card at the PDC Q-School in January 2024 and now plays on the PDC circuit of events. However, Beau Greaves will look to defend her WDF Women's World Title. After qualifying for both the WDF and the PDC World Championships, Beau has again declined the invitation to play in the PDC World Champions in favour of the all-female WDF World Championships.

Both the Men's and Women's World Championship will feature the best players in the World outside the PDC format. A return to the Lakeside venue will be warmly welcomed by players and fans alike.

TV Coverage: YouTube Blazze TV

 

The WDF YouTube Channel will broadcast the 2024 WDF Lakeside World Darts Championships. The semi-final and finals will also be shown via the free-to-air Blaze TV Channel (Freeview 64/Sky HD 164/Freesat 161/Virgin 174/Sky Glass 169/BLAZE App).

 

Qualifiers for the WDF World Champions 2024

The WDF has confirmed the following invitations have been sent to the following:

 

WDF World Championship Players

 

Men's line up

The list of 48 men who will feature in the WDF World Champion is detailed below. The top 16 names are the 16 seeded players and enter the tournament in the second round as part of the Last 32, where they will play the winners of the first-round matches.

 

 No.

Seeded Player Enter 1-16 (R2)

Ranked 17-32 Enter (R1)

Ranked 33-48 Enter (R1)

(Enter Second Round) (R2) (First Round) (R1) (First Round) (R1)
1 Danny Porter (AUS) 17. Martyn Turner (ENG) 33. Hannes Schnier (AUT)
2 Jimmy van Schie (NED) 18. Carl Wilkinson (ENG) 34. Kevin Luke (USA)
3 Neil Duff (NIR) 19. Moreno Blom (NED) 35. Bjorn Lejon (SWE)
4 Brandon Weening (AUS) 20. Darren Johnson (ENG) 36. Howard Jones (AUS)
5 Peter Machin (AUS) 21. Matthew Edgar (ENG) 37. Michael Cassar (AUS)
6 Alexander Merkx (NED)  22. Patrik Kovacs (HUN) 38. Jarno Bottenberg (NED)
7 Liam Maendl-Lawrance (GER) 23. Francois Schweyen (BEL) 39. Reece Colley (ENG)
8 Kai-Fan Leung (HKG) 24. Dennis Nilsson (SWE) 40. Corne Groeneveld (NED)
9 Benjamin Pratnemer (SLO) 25. Laszlo Kadar (ROM) 41. Ky Smith (AUS)
10 Thomas Junghans (SWI) 26. Mark Barilli (SCO) 42. Craig Brown (NZL)
11 Gary Stone (SCO) 27. Scott Walters (ENG) 43. Bradley Kirk (ENG)
12 Jason Brandon (USA) 28. Jordan Brooks (ENG) 44. Shane McGuirk (IRE)
13 Cliff Prior (ENG) 29. Mike Gillet (WAL) 45. Jacob Taylor (CAN)
14 Edwin Torbjornsson (SWE) 30. Brian Raman (BEL) 46. Paul Lim (SGP)
15 Barry Copeland (NIR) 31. Sybren Gijbels (BEL) 47. Jun Matsuda (JPN)
16 Ryan Hogarth (SCO) 32.Aaron Turner (ENG) 48. Jeff Springer Jr (USA)

 

Mens Playing Format

Final - Best of 11 sets
Semi-finals - Best of 9 sets
Quarter-finals - Best of 7 sets
Last 16 - Best of 5 sets
Last 32 - Best of 5 sets
Last 48 - Best of 3 sets

 

Womens line up

Twenty-four women will take part in the 2024 World Championship, detailed below. The top 8 are seeded players that will enter the tournament in the second round (last 16) where they will play the winner of the first-round matches.

Update: Paula Jacklin replaces Mary-Anne Teinaki

Mary-Anne Teinaki has had to withdraw from the 2024 WDF Lakeside World Championships on medical grounds, and following WDF rules, Teinaki’s Lakeside invitation has been given to the next highest-ranked player from the WDF Race Table that had not qualified as of Monday, October 28th, which is Paula Jacklin.

 

 No.

Seeded Player 1-8 Enter (R2)

Ranked 9-16 Enter (R1)

Ranked 17-24 Enter (R1)

(Enter Second Round) (R2) (First Round) (R1) (First Round )(R1)
1 Beau Greaves (ENG) 9. Amanda Loch (AUS) - 17. Jitka Cisarova (CZE)
2 Aileen de Graaf (NED) 10. Lorraine Hyde (SCO) 18. Greta Tekauer (HUN)
3 Rhian O'Sullivan (WAL) 11. Wendy Harper (NZL) 19. Sophie McKinlay (SCO)
4 Deta Hedman (ENG) 12. Paula Murphy (USA) 20. Maud Jansson (SWE)
5 Nicole Regnaud (NZL) 13. Lisa Ashton (ENG) 21. Veronika Ihasz (HUN)
6 Aletta Wajer (NED) 14. Kirsty Hutchinson (ENG) 22. Paula Jacklin (ENG)
7 Irina Armstrong (GER) 15. Anca Zijlstra (NED)  23. Kirsi Viinikainen (FIN)
8 Desi Mercer (NZL) 16. Lerena Rietbergen (NED) 24. Mayumi Ouchi (JPN)

 

Youth World Championship Finalists Boys & Girls

Youth Players Eight Boys and Four Girls

Boys

 No.

Seeded Player 1-4

Ranked 5-8

1 Jenson Walker (ENG) 5. Mason Teese (ENG)
2 Kendji Steinbach (NED)  6. Lex Paeshuyse (BEL)
3 Ralfs Laumanis (LAT) 7. Florian Preis (GER)
4 Balazs Szotak (HUN) 8. Archie Self (ENG)

 

Girls

 No.

Seeded Player 1-2

Ranked 3-4

1 Paige Pauling (ENG) 3. Aurora Fochesato (ITA)
2 Sophie McKinlay (SCO) 4. Jentl Fransen (BEL)

 

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WDF World Professional Darts Championship 2024 - Schedule of Play Fomat

November 28 - December 8, 2024

Playing Format. Each Set best of 5 legs

Men Women Youth
Final - 11 Sets Final - 7 Sets Boys Final – 5 Sets
SF – 9 Sets SF – 5 Sets Boys SF – 3 Sets
QF – 7 Sets QF – 3 Sets  
Last 16 – 5 Sets Last 16 – 3 Sets Girls Final – 3 Sets
R2 – 5 Sets --- Girls SF – 3 Sets
R1 – 3 Sets R1– 3 Sets

 

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WDF World Darts Championship 2024 - Draw Schedule of Play & Results

29th November - 8th Decmeber 2024

Schedule of Play Local time Shown

Friday 29th November Friday 29th November
Afternoon - No play Evening Session from (19.00)
R1 - Brian Raman (BEL) 2-1 Corne Groeneveld (NED)
R1 - Scott Walters (ENG) 2-0 Craig Brown (NZL)
R1 - Francois Schweyen (BEL) 2-0 Michael Cassar (AUS)
R1 - Carl Wilkinson (ENG) 2-0 Jacob Taylor (CAN)
 
Saturday 30th November
Afternoon Session from (13.00) Evening Session from (19.00)
R1 - Jordan Brooks (ENG) 1-2 Jun Matsuda (JPN) R1 - Matthew Edgar (ENG) 0-2 Jarno Bottenberg (NED)
R1 - Anca Zijlstra (NED) 0-2 Jitka Cisarova (CZE) R1 - Amanda Loch (AUS) 1-2 Kirsi Viinikainen (FIN)
R1 - Mark Barilli (SCO) 0-2 Shane McGuirk(IRE) R2 - Danny Porter (AUS) 0-3 Francois Schweyen
R1 - Wendy Harper (NZL) 2-0 Greta Tekauer (HUN) R1 - Kirsty Hutchinson (ENG) 2-1 Veronika Ihasz (HUN)
R1 - Patrik Kovacs (HUN) 0-2 Bjorn Lejon (SWE) R2 - Martyn Turner (ENG) 1-3 Brian Raman
 
Sunday 1st December
Afternoon Session from (13.00) Evening Session from (19.00)
R1 - Sybren Gijbels (BEL) 2-1 Kevin Luke (USA) R1 - Aaron Turner (ENG) 2-0 Jeff Springer Jr (USA)
R1 - Lorraine Hyde(SCO) 1-2 Mayumi Ouchi (JPN) R1 - Lisa Ashton (ENG) 1-2 Sophie McKinlay (SCO)
R1 - James Beeton (ENG) 2-1 Bradley Kirk (ENG) R2 - Cliff Prior (ENG) 3-1 Scott Walters
R1 - Paula Murphy (USA) 2-0 Paula Jacklin (ENG) R2 - Nicole Regnaud (NZL) 2-0 Wendy Harper
R2 - Edwin Torbjornsson (SWE) 0-3 Shane McGuirk R1 - Mike Gillet (WAL) 2-0 Ky Smith (AUS)
 
Monday 2nd December
Afternoon Session from (13.00) Evening Session from (19.00)
R1 - Dennis Nilsson (SWE) 2-0 Howard Jones (AUS) R1 - Moreno Blom (NED) 0-2 Paul Lim (SGP)
R1 - Lerena Rietbergen (NED) 2-0 Maud Jansson (SWE) R2 - Deta Hedman (ENG) 2-1 Kirsty Hutchinson
R1 - Laszlo Kadar (ROM) 1-2 Hannes Schnier (AUT) R2 - Brandon Weening (AUS) 3-1 Jun Matsuda
R1 - Darren Johnson (ENG) 1-2 Reece Colley ENG) R2 - Peter Machin (AUS) 3-1 Mike Gillet
 
Tuesday 3rd December
Afternoon Session from (13.00) Evening Session from (19.00)
R2 - Benjamin Pratnemer (SLO) 0-3 Carl Wilkinson R2 - Jimmy van Schie (NED) 3-0 Bjorn Lejon
R2 - Desi Mercer (NZL) 0-2 Jitka Cisarova R2 - Beau Greaves (ENG) 2-0 Kirsi Viinikainen
R2 - Thomas Junghans (SWI) 3-2 James Beeton R2 - Kai-Fan Leung (HKG) 2-3 Paul Lim
R2 - Ryan Hogarth (SCO) 1-3 Jarno Bottenberg R2 - Neil Duff (NIR) 3-2 Reece Colley
 
Wednesday 4th December
Afternoon Session from (13.00) Evening Session from (19.00)
R2 - Barry Copeland (NIR) 3-0 Aaron Turner R2 - Gary Stone (SCO) 3-2 Dennis Nilsson
R2 - Aletta Wajer (NED) 2-1 Paula Murphy R2 -  Rhian O’Sullivan (WAL) 0-2 Lerena Rietbergen
R2 - Liam Maendl-Lawrance (GER) 2-3 Sybren Gijbels R3 - Francois Schweyen 3-2 Brian Raman
R2 - Jason Brandon (USA) 3-0 Hannes Schnier R3 - Brandon Weening 0-3 Shane McGuirk
 
Thursday 5th December
Afternoon Session from (13.00) Evening Session from (19.00)
R3 - Carl Wilkinson 2-3 Thomas Junghans R3 - Neil Duff 3-2 Barry Copeland
Boys' QF - Ralfs Laumanis (LAT) 0-2 Lex Paeshuyse (BEL) Boys' QF - Kendji Steinbach (NED) 1-2 Archie Self (ENG)
R3 - Peter Machin 3-1 Cliff Prior R3 - Jimmy van Schie 1-3 Jarno Bottenberg
R2 - Aileen de Graaf (NED) 2-0 Mayumi Ouchi R2 - Irina Armstrong (GER) 1-2Sophie Kinlay
R3 - Sybern Gijbels 0-3 Jason Brandon R3 - Paul Lim v Stone 3-2 Gary Stone
 
Friday 6th December
Afternoon Session from (13.00) Evening Session from (19.00)
Boys’ QF - Balazs Szotak (HUN) 0-2 Florian Preis (GER) Boys’ QF - Jenson Walker (ENG) 2-0 Mason Teese (ENG)
QF - Lerena Rietbergen (NED) 2-1 Aletta Wajer (NED) QF - Deta Hedman (ENG) 2-0 Nicole Regnaud (NZL)
QF - Francois Schweyen (BEL) 4-0 Thomas Junghans (SWI) QF - Neil Duff (NIR) 3-4 Jason Brandon (USA)
QF - Aileen de Graaf 0-2 Sophie McKinlay QF - Beau Greaves (ENG) 2-0 Jitka Cisarova (CZE)
Shane McGuirk (IRE) 4-0 Peter Machin (AUS) QF - Jarno Bottenberg (NED) 3-4 Paul Lim (SGP) 
 
Saturday 7th December
Afternoon Session from (14.00) Blaze TV Evening Session from (19.00) Blaze TV
Girls’ SF - Paige Pauling (ENG) v Jentl ransen (BEL) Girls’ SF - Sophie McKinlay (SCO) v Aurora Fochesato (ITA)
Boys’ SF - Jenson Walker v Florian Preis Boys’ SF - Archie Self v Lex Paeshuyse
SF - Sophie McKinlay (SCO) v Lerena Rietbergen (NED) SF - Beau Greaves (ENG) v Deta Hedman (ENG)
SF - Francois Schweyen (BEL) v Shane McGuirk (IRE) SF - Paul Lim (SGP) v Jason Brandon (USA)
 
Sunday 8th December
Evening Session from (17.00) Blaze TV
Girls’ Final
Boys’ Final
Women's Final
Men’s Final

 

 

 

PDC Paddy Power World Darts Championships 2025

 

PDC Darts Paddy Power World Darts Championship 2025 - Alexandra Palace, London

 

PDC Paddy Power World Darts Championship 2025

Date: 15th Dec – 3rd Jan 2025

The World Dart Stage is set for another 15 days of World Darts. The PDC Paddy Power World Championship Dart, live from the Alexandra Palace, London.

Ninety-six players will compete for the Sid Waddell trophy and the first prize of £500,000 with a total prize fund of £2.5M, making this event the richest darts event in the World.

At the time of writing, a few tickets are still available. However, these tend to sell out fast, so if you want to join the party, I suggest you buy your tickets now or be disappointed.

The open field will likely excite neutral fans as the 2025 World Championships could see a new name on the Sid Waddell trophy.

The biggest prize money in any darts tournament attracts the best players in the World. However, the current women's series champion and PDC Women's World Matchplay Champion, Beau Greaves, has declined her invitation to the PDC World Championship finals, opting to compete and defend her WDF World Championship title instead. The field will consist of at least two female players, Fallon Sherrock and Noa-Lynn van Leuven.

The top 32-seeded players this year enter the competition in the tournament's second round. Further details of this event, venue, and prize fund breakdown can be found on this page. Use the tabs below to reveal more information or at the top of this section to find out the play schedule and player's lineup.

Tickets for this event sell out fast, so book your ticket now. Follow the PDC event ticket Link below to see what is available. If, however, you were not lucky enough to purchase a ticket for this event, then no worries, the event will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK / Ireland and various TV stations around the World, including DAZN and Viaplay and on PDCTV (excluding subscribers based in the UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland). Subscription to the live streaming via PDCTV will also allow you to see many PDC Darts events.

 

Sky Sports   DAZN   Viaplay   PDCTV


2024-5 PDC Paddy Power World Champions Match Schedule

The Alexandra Palace traditionally opens its doors an hour to an hour and a half before the start of the event. However, please check with the venue beforehand to avoid disappointment.

 

 Date Match Schedule Doors Open Event Start Event Finish
15th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
16th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
16th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
17th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
17th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
18th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
19th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
19th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
20th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
20th December 2024 3x First Round, 1x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
21st December 2024 2x First Round, 2x Second Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
21st December 2024 4x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
22nd December 2024 4x Second Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
22nd December 2024 4x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
23rd December 2024 4x Second Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
23rd December 2024 4x Second Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
CHRISTMAS BREAK === No Play === === === ===
27th December 2024 3x Third Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
27th December 2024 3x Third Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
28th December 2024 3x Third Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
28th December 2024 3x Third Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
29th December 2024 3x Third Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
29th December 2024 1x Third Round, 2x Fourth Round 17:30 19:00 23:00
30th December 2024 3x Fourth Round 11:30 12:30 16:30
30th December 2024 3x Fourth Round 17:30 19:30 23:00
NEW YEARS EVE BREAK === No Play === === === ===
1st January 2025 2x Quarter-Finals 11:30 12:30 16:30
1st January 2025 2x Quarter-Finals 17:30 19:00 23:00
2nd January 2025 Semi-Finals 18:00 19:30 23:00
3rd January 2025 Final 18:30 20:00 23:00

 

PDC World Championship Ticket Information

Alexandra Palace Seating Plan - PDC / Paddy Power World Darts Championships 2025

Please use this plan as a guide only and not an exact representation of the seating layout at the venue.

Traveling to the Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace is the iconic North London venue that is surrounded by 196 acres of beautiful parkland, and grounds that boast a pub & restaurant, boating lake, pitch & putt course, 1,500 free parking spaces and much, much more.

The People’s Palace has great transport links, located just off the M1 and M25 and only 10 minutes from London Kings Cross.

How to find the Alexandra Palace

Situated between Muswell Hill & Wood Green, Alexandra Palace is well served by all forms of public transport and is easy to reach by underground, road, rail & air. Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY

Sat Nav

Postcode: N22 7AY

As of 7 August 2023, Alexandra Place has a new car parking charge system in operation in all their car parks. The charges support their charity work to care for the Park and Palace for the benefit of all forever.

The East Court car park is open seven days a week from 05.30-00.30hrs. The last entry is 20.00 each day, excluding event days when hours will vary.

The Grove car park is open seven days a week from 06.00-19.00hrs each day, excluding event days when hours will vary. The Paddocks car park is open for specific events only. Please see the onsite signage for more information.

By Bike

There are (uncovered) bicycle racks in our East Court car park

By Tube

Wood Green is the nearest underground station on the Piccadilly Line. (journey time is 20 minutes from Piccadilly Circus). Exit Wood Green Station and go to bus stop A to pick up the W3 bus up the hill to Alexandra Palace.

By Rail

Alexandra Palace has its own British Rail Station, fittingly called Alexandra Palace Station. It is located at the Wood Green entrance to the Park. A regular train service runs direct from Moorgate (weekdays only) or from Kings Cross, changing at Finsbury Park.

By Bus

Take the W3 bus from outside the station to the main Palm Court entrance. Some shows offer a free shuttle bus service from both Wood Green and Alexandra Palace stations check on the page of your event to find out more.

By Air

From Heathrow Airport, take the Piccadilly Line directly to Wood Green Station.

From Gatwick Airport an express takes you direct to Victoria Station, then take the Victoria Line to Finsbury Park station and a direct bus w3 to Alexandra Palace or overground train to Alexandra Palace station

Getting Home

Please note that the last tube from Wood Green Station leaves around midnight and the last train from Alexandra Palace Station leaves around Midnight. It is worth checking the last train times for your event date at www.tfl.gov.uk

Click here to find out more and plan your route.


2025 PDC Paddy Power World Championship Prize Fund

 

The PDC Paddy PowerWorld Darts Championship's total prize money stands at £2,500,000 as per previous years going back to 2019. The exact breakdown of this year's money has not been published, but it is likely the same as last year.

The largest portion of the prize funds goes to the champion, £500,000 and the Sid Waddell Trophy. The prize money breakdown is shown below as per last year's event.

The prize money is allocated as follows:

 Position Players Prize Money Total
Champion 1 £500,000 £500,000
Runner-up 1 £200,000 £200,000
Semi-finalist 2 £100,000 £200,000
Quarter-finalist 4 £50,000 £200000
Fourth Round Loser 8 £35,000 £280,000
Third Round Loser 16 £25,000 £400,000
Second Round Loser 32 £15,000 £480,000
First Round Loser 32 £7,500 £240,000
 Total   £2,500,000

 

 

PDC Paddy Power World Championship 2025 Draw

 

PDC Darts Paddy Power World Darts Championship 2025 - Players Draw & Schedule

 

World Darts Championship Players Qualifiers and Draw

 

The World's greatest darts tournament is back, with the World's top 96 players competing to win the Sid Waddell / Paddy Power PDC World Darts Trophy.

The tournament features 96 players made up of the top 32 seeded players on the PDC Order of Merit. They will be joined by a further 32 highest non-qualified players from the Pro Tour Order of Merit, based on the events played on the 2023 PDC Pro Tour.

The remaining 32 players come from international, and the two top-ranked women from the Womens Series Order of Merit *

Seeded players enter the World Championship in Round Two.

* NOTE: Beau Greaves qualified for the PDC and the WDF World Championships. Beau has decided to decline the PDC invitation so you can play in the WDF Women's World Championships and defend her title.

 

Subject to Change

 Order of Merit

 Pro Tour Order of Merit

 International Qualifiers

Second round (seeded) First round First round
1. Luke Humphries 1. Cameron Menzies Ryusei Azemoto – PDC Asian Tour[20]
2. Michael Smith 2. Wessel Nijman Keane Barry – PDC Development Tour[21]
3. Michael van Gerwen 3. Jermaine Wattimena Stefan Bellmont – West Europe Qualifier[18]
4. Luke Littler 4. Ricardo Pietreczko Stowe Buntz – CDC Pro Tour[22]
5. Rob Cross 5. Luke Woodhouse Matt Campbell – PDC TCH Qualifier
6. Dave Chisnall 6. Ryan Joyce Cameron Carolissen – African Qualifier[23]
7. Jonny Clayton 7. Niels Zonneveld Joe Comito – DPA Pro Tour[24]
8. Stephen Bunting 8. Alan Soutar Leonard Gates – CDC Pro Tour[22]
9. Damon Heta 9. Madars Razma Tomoya Goto – PDJ Japan Tour[25]
10. Gerwyn Price 10. Callan Rydz Kai Gotthardt – PDC Europe Super League
11. Dimitri Van den Bergh 11. Wesley Plaisier Jeffrey de Graaf – PDC Nordic Baltic[**][26]
12. Nathan Aspinall 12. Martin Lukeman Romeo Grbavac – East Europe Qualifier
13. Danny Noppert 13. Kevin Doets Rhys Griffin – PDC TCH Qualifier
14. Gary Anderson 14. Richard Veenstra Lourence Ilagan – PDC Asian Tour[20]
15. Chris Dobey 15. Scott Williams Christian Kist – PDC Challenge Tour
16. James Wade 16. Kim Huybrechts Nitin Kumar – India Qualifier
17. Peter Wright 17. William O'Connor Darius Labanauskas – PDC Nordic & Baltic[26]
18. Josh Rock 18. Karel Sedláček Lok Yin Lee – PDC Asian Championship Qualifier[29]
19. Ross Smith 19. Stephen Burton Noa-Lynn van Leuven – PDC Women's Series[30][31][32]
20. Ryan Searle 20. Thibault Tricole Jim Long – CDC Pro Tour[22]
21. Andrew Gilding 21. Connor Scutt Gordon Mathers – Oceanic Masters[33]
22. Martin Schindler 22. Mensur Suljović Alexander Merkx – PDC Challenge Tour
23. Joe Cullen 23. Ian White Paolo Nebrida – PDC Asian Tour[20]
24. Mike De Decker 24. Jim Williams Ben Robb – DPNZ Qualifier[34]
25. Dirk van Duijvenbode 25. Florian Hempel Fallon Sherrock – PDC Women's Series[35][36]
26. Daryl Gurney 26. Ryan Meikle Dylan Slevin – PDC TCH Qualifier
27. Gabriel Clemens 27. Chris Landman Sandro Eric Sosing – Asian Championship[37]
28. Gian van Veen 28. Nick Kenny Niko Springer – PDC Development Tour[21]
29. Ritchie Edhouse 29. James Hurrell Rashad Sweeting – CDLC Tour[38]
30. Brendan Dolan 30. Mickey Mansell Alexis Toylo – PDC Asian Tour[20]
31. Krzysztof Ratajski 31. Ricky Evans Zong Xiao Chen – PDC China Championship[39]
32. Raymond van Barneveld 32. Robert Owen [*] Jeffrey de Zwaan – PDC TCH Qualifier

 

Changes since the list was first created

* Dom Taylor, who was originally 17th on the Pro Tour list. However, he was suspended by the PDC after failing a drugs test. Robert Owen replaces Robert Taylor as the highest-ranked Pro Tour player who is not yet qualified. He will be treated as an International qualifier in the draw due to Jeffrey de Graaf's Pro Tour ranking.

** De Graaf was ranked in the top 32 on the Pro Tour list, so will be treated as a ProTour qualifier in the draw.

Beau Greaves qualified for both the WDF Women's World Championships and the PDC World Darts Championship. Beau chose to play in the 2024 WDF World Darts Championship. The PDC ruling does not allow players to compete in both World Championships in the same year.

 

Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championships 2025 Schedule of Play
15th December - 3rd January 2025

 

Sky Sports   DAZN   Viaplay   PDCTV


Schedule of Play - Draw to be made late afternoon - 27/11/2024

First Round Draw

First Round

Thibault Tricole v Joe Comito
Kevin Doets v Noa-Lynn van Leuven
James Hurrell v Jim Long
Ryan Meikle v Fallon Sherrock
Scott Williams v Niko Springer
 Ricky Evans v Gordon Mathers
Mickey Mansell v Tomoya Goto
Alan Soutar v Kai Gotthardt
Connor Scutt v Ben Robb
Kim Huybrechts v Keane Barry
William O'Connor v Dylan Slevin
Cameron Menzies v Leonard Gates
Ryan Joyce v Darius Labanauskas
Jeffrey de Graaf v Rashad Sweeting
Stephen Burton v Alexander Merkx
Jermaine Wattimena v Stefan Bellmont
Wesley Plaisier v Ryusei Azemoto
Karel Sedlacek v Rhys Griffin
Jim Williams v Paolo Nebrida
Mensur Suljovic v Matt Campbell
Martin Lukeman v Nitin Kumar
Callan Rydz v Romeo Grbavac
Nijman v Cameron Carolissen
Luke Woodhouse v Lourence Ilagan
Madars Razma v Christian Kist
Florian Hempel v Jeffrey De Zwaan
Niels Zonneveld v Robert Owen
Ricardo Pietreczko v Xiaochen Zong
Ian White v Sandro Eric Sosing
Chris Landman v Lok Yin Lee
Richard Veenstra v Alexis Toylo
Nick Kenny v Stowe Buntz

Secound Round Seed Enter Play

 

Second Round

(1) Luke Humphries v Thibault Tricole / Joe Comito
(2) Michael Smith v Kevin Doets / Noa-Lynn van Leuven
(3) Michael van Gerwen v J ames Hurrell / Jim Long
(4) Luke Littler v Ryan Meikle / Fallon Sherrock
(5) Rob Cross v Scott Williams / Niko Springer
(6) Dave Chisnall v  Ricky Evans / Gordon Mathers
(7) Jonny Clayton v Mickey Mansell / Tomoya Goto
(8) Stephen Bunting v Alan Soutar / Kai Gotthardt
(9) Damon Heta v Connor Scutt / Ben Robb
(10) Gerwyn Price v Kim Huybrechts / Keane Barry
(11) Dimitri Van den Bergh v William O'Connor / Dylan Slevin
(12) Nathan Aspinall v Cameron Menzies / Leonard Gates
(13) Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce / Darius Labanauskas
(14) Gary Anderson v Jeffrey de Graaf / Rashad Sweeting
(15) Chris Dobey v Stephen Burton / Alexander Merkx
(16) James Wade v Jermaine Wattimena / Stefan Bellmont
(17) Peter Wright v Wesley Plaisier / Ryusei Azemoto
(18) Josh Rock v Karel Sedlacek / Rhys Griffin
(19) Ross Smith v Jim Williams / Paolo Nebrida
(20) Ryan Searle v Mensur Suljovic / Matt Campbell
(21) Andrew Gilding v Martin Lukeman / Nitin Kumar
(22) Martin Schindler v Callan Rydz / Romeo Grbavac
(23) Joe Cullen v Nijman / Cameron Carolissen
(24) Mike De Decker v Luke Woodhouse / Lourence Ilagan
(25) Dirk van Duijvenbode v Madars Razma / Christian Kist
(26) Daryl Gurney v Florian Hempel / Jeffrey De Zwaan
(27) Gabriel Clemens v Niels Zonneveld / Robert Owen
(28) Gian van Veen v Ricardo Pietreczko/Xiaochen Zong
(29) Ritchie Edhouse v Ian White / Sandro Eric Sosing
(30) Brendan Dolan v Chris Landman / Lok Yin Lee
(31) Krzysztof Ratajski v Richard Veenstra / Alexis Toylo
(32) Raymond van Barneveld v Nick Kenny / Stowe Buntz

 

2025 PDC Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Schedule of Play

Sunday December 15
Afternoon Session (No Play) Evening Session 7pm GMT
Thibault Tricole v Joe Comito (R1)
Jermaine Wattimena v Stefan Bellmont (R1)
Kim Huybrechts v Keane Barry (R1)
Luke Humphries v Tricole/Comito (R2)
 
Monay December 16
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Wesley Plaisier v Ryusei Azemoto (R1) Niels Zonneveld v Robert Owen (R1)
Luke Woodhouse v Lourence Ilagan (R1) Connor Scutt v Ben Robb (R1)
Alan Soutar v Kai Gotthardt (R1) Cameron Menzies v Leonard Gates (R1)
James Wade v Wattimena/Bellmont (R2) Gerwyn Price v Huybrechts/Barry (R2)
 
Tuesday December 17
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
James Hurrell v Jim Long (R1) Jeffrey de Graaf v Rashad Sweeting (R1)
Kevin Doets v Noa-Lynn van Leuven (R1) Ricardo Pietreczko v Xiaochen Zong (R1)
Ryan Joyce v Darius Labanauskas (R1) Ryan Meikle v Fallon Sherrock (R1)
Mike De Decker v Woodhouse/Ilagan (R2) Peter Wright v Plaisier/Azemoto (R2)
 
Wednesday December 18
Afternoon Session (No Play) Evening Session 7pm GMT
  Jim Williams v Paolo Nebrida (R1)
  Madars Razma v Christian Kist (R1)
  Ricky Evans v Gordon Mathers (R1)
  Nathan Aspinall v Menzies/Gates (R2)
 
Thursday December 19
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Chris Landman v Lok Yin Lee (R1) Nick Kenny v Stowe Buntz (R1)
Callan Rydz v Romeo Grbavac (R1) Mensur Suljovic v Matt Campbell (R1)
Martin Lukeman v Nitin Kumar (R1) Scott Williams v Niko Springer (R1)
Gabriel Clemens v Zonneveld/Owen (R2) Michael Smith v Doets/Van Leuven (R2)
 
Friday December 20  
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Stephen Burton v Alexander Merkx (R1) Mickey Mansell v Tomoya Goto (R1)
Wessel Nijman v Cameron Carolissen (R1) Florian Hempel v Jeffrey De Zwaan (R1)
Ian White v Sandro Eric Sosing (R1) William O’Connor v Dylan Slevin (R1)
Stephen Bunting v Soutar/Gotthardt (R2) Michael van Gerwen v Hurrell/Long (R2)
 
Saturday December 21
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Karel Sedlacek v Rhys Griffin (R1) Danny Noppert v Joyce/Labanauskas (R2)
Richard Veenstra v Alexis Toylo (R1) Raymond van Barneveld v Kenny/Buntz (R2)
Brendan Dolan v Landman/Lee (R2) Luke Littler v Meikle/Sherrock;(R2)
Chris Dobey v Burton/Merkx (R2) Damon Heta v Scutt/Robb (R2) 
 
Sunday December 22
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Ryan Searle v Suljovic/Campbell (R2) Martin Schindler v Rydz/Grbavac (R2)
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Razma/Kist (R2) Ross Smith v J Williams/Nebrida (R2)
Joe Cullen v Nijman/Carolissen (R2) Gary Anderson v De Graaf/Sweeting (R2)
Ritchie Edhouse v White/Sosing (R2) Dimitri Van den Bergh v O’Connor/Slevin (R2)
 
Monday December 23
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Krzysztof Ratajski v Veenstra/Toylo (R2) Gian van Veen v Pietreczko/Zong (R2)
Andrew Gilding v Lukeman/Kumar (R2) Daryl Gurney v Hempel/De Zwaan (R2)
Josh Rock v Sedlacek/Griffin (R2) Dave Chisnall v Evans/Mathers (R2)
Jonny Clayton v Mansell/Goto (R2) Rob Cross v S Williams/Springer (R2)
 

  Christmas Break December 24, 25, 26

 
FridayDecember 27
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
TBC v TBC (R3) TBC v TBC (R3)
TBC v TBC (R3) TBC v TBC (R3)
TBC v TBC (R3) TBC v TBC (R3)
 
Saturday December 28
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
TBC v TBC (R3) TBC v TBC (R3)
TBC v TBC (R3) TBC v TBC (R3)
TBC v TBC (R3) TBC v TBC (R3)
 
Sunday December 29
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Third Round x3 Third Round x1 / Fourth Round x2
 
Monday December 30
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Fourth Round x3 Fourth Round x3
 

  New Years Eve Break December 31

 
Wednesday January 1
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT Evening Session 7pm GMT
Quarter-Finals x2 Quarter-Finals x2
 
Thursday January 2
Afternoon Session (No Play) Evening Session 7.30pm GMT
  Semi-Finals x2
 
Wednesday January 3
Afternoon Session (No Play) Evening Session 7.30pm GMT
  Final

 

Tournament Format

First Round - Best of five sets (no tie-break)

Second Round - Best of five sets

Third Round - Best of seven sets

Fourth Round - Best of seven sets

Quarter-Finals - Best of nine sets

Semi-Finals - Best of 11 sets

Final - Best of 13 sets

A tie-break will be in operation from the second round onwards, where the final set must be won by two clear legs. If the score reaches five-all, the 11th leg will be a sudden-death leg.

 

 

 

PDC Darts Bullseye Christmas Special, Dec 22, 6pm & Dec 25, 5.25pm (Repeat) ITV One

It's now been confirmed the Bullseye Christmas Special will air on Sunday, 22nd December, at 6 pm and repeated on Christmas Day at 5.25 pm

The Icon 1980s Bullseye TV Game Show returns for a Christmas Special. Freddy Flintoff hosts with Luke Littler playing as the pro player. Fans of this show will recall the prize fund and format that has now made Bullseye nostalgic when viewing Challenge TV. Read more about Bullseye, the Christmas Special, The Epic Gameshow, History of the Show, The Bronze Bully and the Bullseye TV Road Show.

Fans can also obtain Free PC and Phone Wallpaper from the main Bullseye website, created by yours truly! Buy Bullseye darts, flights, shirts, and dart cases from Darts Corner.

 

Read more about Bullseye.

 

PDC Darts PDC Q-School 2025 PDC Tourcard

So you think you are good enough? The PDC Qualifying School (Q-School) is now open for applications. Your chance to compete with the best in the world starts here. Win a two-year tour card, and you are in!

Entries cost £475 per player, including the 2024 DRA Sanction Fee, and can be made now online through the PDC Entry System, with entries closing at 1400 GMT on Tuesday, December 31..

Players from the UK, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar will compete in the UK Qualifying School, with players from all other European nations competing in the European Qualifying School. Players from other nations may choose in which Qualifying School to compete.

For more details, use the link below.

 

PDC Q-School Details ...

 

PDC Orld Series Darts Bahrain Masters World Series Event – Jan 17-19 ITVSport / ITV4 / ITV3 DAZN Viaplay PDCTV

The PDC returns to Bahrain for the first of the World Series Events. Top PDC Professionals compete against area qualifiers in the first round, with winners progressing. Luke Littler took the title for the first time in 2024, following his successful debut at the 2024 World Championship.

The tournament will be broadcast live on ITV4 in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding subscribers based in the UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).

 

Modus Darts Super Series MODUS: Super Series 2024/5

The MODUS Super Series continues its exciting new weekly darts competition featuring some of the biggest names in darts. Top international players compete, including Fallon Sherrock, Martin Adams, Robert Thornton, and many more.

Each week's mini-event concludes with a £5K first prize, and the winner then moves on to the Series finals with a chance of winning £20K.

Hosted at a top-spec, purpose-built location in Portsmouth, the MODUS Super Series will see more than 30 hours of matches broadcast LIVE Monday to Saturday every week, currently available on YouTube MODUS SUPER SERIES CHANNEL, with players competing for a share of over £1m on offer per year.

 

MODUS SUPER SERIES - More Information

 

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AND Welcome to Darts501...

Darts501.com

Many viewers will know I have written several successful dart websites over the past twenty years, each with their own spin on the sport. I have also written a few professional player's websites you may have encountered. My love of the game has never diminished, and with over forty years of playing the game, I would like to share as much about darts the game, the sport, the history and the development of the game.

This website is new and fresh, and I have learned from my experience as a player, developer and designer to hopefully bring you a little more to the sport millions love and play every week.

This website contains information regarding the '01 game played by all, plus the many UK regional dartboard differences of both past and present. Player's nicknames, music, dart checkout charts and basic tournament charts are available to download and print for personal use. There will be something on this website for everyone, even if it is a quick look at the facts and myths surrounding the sport.

As a player, I would rate myself as a good pub league player. I never ventured into major competition except for the first year of the PDC UK Open. I won locally but was unable to attend regional knockouts. Today, I tend to watch as a keen supporter of the sport and love to see people enjoying it, even if it is only over a friendly pint or two.

My thanks go to the major dart organisations, dart manufacturers, suppliers, the darts historian Dr Patrick Chaplin, darts legend Trina Gulliver MBE, Mark McGeeney and the many others that have helped me over the years to develop this website and many other dart websites. More details can be found on my acknowledgement page. See footer.

D.King

Darts501.com – UK Darts Knowledge at it’s best.

PDC DART EVENTS CALAENDAR

PDC Darts  WDF Darts    WSDT Darts

UK County  Modus Info

Please Note: Calendar’s are correct at the time of publishing. Events are subject to change for operational or other unavoidable reasons.

 

 

Darts News

Supported by the Biggest Names in Darts

Darts News by David King

David King With Phil Taylor, Trina Gulliver MBE and Mark McGeeney

 

TOURNAMENTS
  • Major Dart Tournament Winners History

PDC Darts Tournament History

PDC History

Tournament Winners

  • World Champions
  • Youth W' Champions
  • Premier League
  • World Matchplay
  • Grand Prix
  • UK Open
  • European Champ'ship
  • Grand Slam
  • Players Champ'ship
  • World Cup
  • The Masters
  • Champions League
  • World Series
  •  

 

More info

BDO Darts Tournament History

BDO History

Tournament Winners

  • (Tournament History)
  • World Champions
  • Youth W' Champions
  • World Masters
  • World Trophy
  • British Internationals
  • Grand Prix
  • British Open
  • British Classic
  • Gold Cup
  • Youth Masters
  • BICC Champions Cup
  •  

 

More info

England Darts Tournament History

EDO History

Tournament Winners

  • England Open
  • England Masters
  • England Matchplay
  • England Classic
  • National Singles
  •  

 

More info

Scotland Darts Tournament History

SDA History

Tournament Winners

  • Scottish Open
  • Scottish Masters
  • Scottish Singles
  •  

 

More info

WDO Darts Tournament History

WDO History

Tournament Winners

  • Welsh Open
  • Welsh Classic
  • Welsh Masters

 

More info

Northern Ireland Darts Tournament History

NIDO History

Tournament Winners

  • Nr Ireland Open
  • Nr Ireland Matchplay
  •  

 

More info

Dart Players - Nicknames and Walk-on's

Dart Players Nicknames

Professional Dart Players Nicknames & Walk-on Music

An increased number of visitors have contacted me about players walk-on music and nicknames. Some of you have kindly supplied me with more information; therefore, I have updated both the players' nicknames and walk-on pages on this site. I hope to add a few more in the near future, but in the meantime if you know anymore or if any player has since changed either their Nickname or walk-on, please let me know via my contact page.

The revised nickname and walk-on music pages now include several WDDA players.

I do realise there are several missing of missing nicknames and walk-on's. However, I add more to the lists all the time.

 

MVG Walking man                                                                                                                        Wheelchair Man

Professional Darts

David King - Darts501.com

Darts the Professional Sport

A Brief Introduction to Men's, Women's, and Disability Professional Darts History

 

Each year, the history of the sport of darts gets extended, and some fascinating facts get lost as time goes on. Having written about the sport for over twenty years, what was revertant then and now are entirely different. Nevertheless, fans would like to know more about the history, the players, and the evaluation of this ever-growing sport.

Although darts, as a game using three throwing arrows, can be dated back well over a hundred years, it is direct from the French game Fléchettes, meaning darts or small arrows. Man has thrown spears and small arrows for much longer, and some scholars' references date back further but have no historical evidence. It is purely speculation.

Darts is a sport that has seen evolutions in the darts, the dartboards, and, indeed, scoring. Besides the primary two games most new players may know and see, 501 and Cricket, a long list of games can be played on a standard dartboard. Further details on darts can be found in a brief history of darts and more in the tacts and myths (factoids) of the sport.

In brief, some of the sport's history is covered on this website, but here are a few details that cover the past forty years as a modern sport.

Darts on TV isn't new. The News of the World Individual Darts Championships featured on TV's Grand Stand Sports Programme, and the 'Indoor League', a programme dedicated to pub sports, were the first to feature darts.

Over the years, some past stars around at this time may not be known by some of the younger visitors, but most notable are Leighton Rees, the first BDO World Darts Champions, John Lowe MBE, who won the World Championship three times in three different decades, Eric Bristow MBE who won the title five times and the famous Scot of all Jocky Wilson who also managed this feat twice. Many more were to follow, including Phil Taylor, who dominated the sport for nearly twenty years and took the sport to a much higher level.

However, it was back in 1978 when darts became a massive TV hit with the introduction of the first British Darts Organisation (BDO) World Championship. The BBC introduced split-screen technology to allow viewers to view the dart thrower and the dartboard simultaneously, which gave the sport easy viewing and massive viewing figures. Today, darts are covered by many channels, notably Sky Sports, which has previously stated that darts are the second most viewed sport on their sports channels, next to football.

In 2001, the former British Darts Organisation (BDO) introduced a Women's World Darts Championship. England's Trina Gulliver MBE won the first staging of this event and then won it for seven consecutive years and made the final again in 2008 and 2009, but only to lose to a new up-and-coming star, Anastasia Dobromyslova from Russia in 2008 and Francis Hoenselaar from Holland in 2009. In 2010, Trina again regained the title, beating Rhian Edwards from Wales 2-0. She repeated this feat in 2011, again beating Rhain Edwards by the same margin of 2-0. In 2016, Trina won the World Darts title, making her the most successful lady darts player in the World, with a record-breaking Ten World Titles. Trina has been awarded the MBE for services to darts and charitable fundraising.

In more recent years, Lisa Ashton, Mikuru Suzuki and Beau Greaves have come to dominate the Women's sport.

In 2007, the PDC introduced the first Youth World Championship. Arron Monk won this event, who beat Michael van Gerwen 6 - 4 in the final. However, in 2015, the BDO followed suit and introduced its own Youth World Championship. Sixteen-year-old Colin Roelofs from the Netherlands became the first victor, beating seventeen-year-old Harry Ward from England 3 - 0. Harry, unfortunately, didn't win a single leg in the final. However, I am sure we will see a lot more from these youth players in the future.

During the 2019 Lakeside World Championships, calls for a significant review of the ladies' prize fund and short match format were called into question. The winning prize for women was just £12,000 compared to the men's £100,000. The chairman of the BDO at the time said this would be reviewed.

2019 also witnessed a number of the top BDO players move to the more lucrative PDC. With £14M annual prize fund at the time and the BDO contract restrictions taken off, players flocked to win a PDC tour card. The PDC prize fund has steadily increased each year since.

In 2020, with a new chairman on board, Des Jacklin, the BDO moved their world darts championship away from the Lakeside venue to the O2 Arena. The move was not met with overall approval from the loyal BDO darts fans, who decided not to attend in their thousands. The BDO world championship will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. The change of venue and the recent loss of professional darts referees all added to the BDO's misery. The promised prize money was slashed, and the conversation turned away from the players and directed to the chairman. The poor management left the BDO in debt, and the organisation's future in 2020 looked in doubt. Des Jacklin later resigned as chairman but was reinstated following a narrow county representative vote victory. However, Jacklin could not convince all, and there was a challenge to the BDO dominance in the UK.

The BDO had lost its status as it didn't represent a Country within the World Darts Federation (WDF) and lost its vote. The respective organisation had finally lost its support, and in 2020, several challenges were faced to take over the running of the Inter-County Championships. The UK Counties voted for a new organisation, the UK Darts Association, to take over the running of the England and Welsh County Leagues. The 2021 British Inter-County Championships will now be known as the UK National League, Premier League, League One, Two, Three etc. The WDF introduced a World Darts Championship and World Masters, the first World Championships again being staged at the Lakeside Country Club in January 2022. It now also includes boys and girls World Championship events.

However, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) now firmly run the professional side of darts, with more players competing to join each year.

In 2019, John Lowe, the former three-time World Darts Champion, was awarded an MBE in the late Queen Elisabeth II New Year's Honours list. John became the second male dart player to be awarded the MBE. The late Eric Bristow was the first recipient in 1989. Until 2023, the only female player to receive such an award was Trina Gulliver, the Women's ten-time World Darts Champion. In 2023, Fallon Sherrock was named in King Charles III's birthday honours and also received the MBE honour. In December of the same year, Keith Deller, former BDO World Darts Champion, was also awarded an MBE for raising money for various charitable services in the King's New Year honours.

Dart fans may question the above because Phil Taylor was to receive an MBE in 2001. However, he didn't receive it. The award medal was effectively annulled because he was found guilty of an indecent assault. Taylor denied the charges but had to pay £2,000 due to his conviction.

UK Awards given by the Crown are subject to conditions. One condition is a recipient's criminal record. Awards issued to others, not necessarily sports stars that later have been found guilty of a crime also face losing awards and titles issued

In 2010, Russ Strobel submitted to Darts Australia a new recommended dartboard height for Wheelchair users. The height Russ has come up with is 137cm to the centre Bull. The height is based on the perceived origins of the standard clock dartboard's standard hanging height. It said the average height of a man in England, UK was 5'8" around the 1920s, the height of the centre bullseye of a standard board. Modern adjustments make that 173cm. Russ took this analogy and worked out the height of a man of 5'8" (173cm) be sitting in a wheelchair. His exact figure came out to be 136.5cm. However, as Russ explained, adding 0.5cm would make the recommended wheelchair dartboard height easy to remember, 137cm (wheelchair) - 173cm (Standard). Darts Australia accepted the concept of the new height for Wheelchair users, and in 2012, it was also accepted by the World Darts Federation. Read more about Disability Darts, which is featured on this website.

On this site, you will find a brief history of this intriguing sport and all the information you need to set up the dartboard and organise darting events. You can also learn how dartboards are constructed using sisal (a material used in rope making) and how dart weights, lengths, shafts and flights can alter the dart's flight.

The site also features traditional games played on today's standard dartboards, including some I have written and shared. There are also details on UK Regional dartboards, the Yorkshire and the Manchester log-end, to name just two. You can read the rules of many games from here, and if you are new to the sport, you can download those all-important checkouts.

You will also find practice routines to improve your accuracy and scoring consistency and information about maintaining your dartboard and darts. Many dart-related links also feature and link to professional dart organisations, manufacturers, suppliers, and players. Thanks to them for their help and support in building this site.

I hope you enjoy the website. Your feedback is always welcome, and if you like the site, please inform others.

Darts501 was established in 2004, and from its humble beginnings and a few makeovers, the website has had well over 27 million viewers, and the increasing trend continues. On average, the website now attracts 1.6 - 2 million pa. However, this figure is vastly undervalued, with more people opting not to have their visit to this website recorded. Modern browsers and VPNs allow visitors to block information. Thanks to all that visit, and keep calling back to see regular updates.

Darts501 has received many good references from professional players, commentators and other writers of the sport. It has become a resource that professionals recommend to others.

Further research into the sport continues, including dartboards used across the UK over the past 100 years, including the use of darts and dartboards in War II. You can read my research, including the Secret Service in MI9.

 

Enjoy reading.

DKing

 

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