PDC World Championship

PDC World Championship

Links
Wikipedia

Fixtures

DateRHome vs Away-
12/27 12:45 5 Damon Heta vs Luke Woodhouse View
12/27 14:00 5 Jonny Clayton vs Daryl Gurney View
12/27 15:15 5 Stephen Bunting vs Madars Razma View
12/27 19:15 5 Gerwyn Price vs Joe Cullen View
12/27 20:30 5 Jermaine Wattimena vs Peter Wright View
12/27 21:45 5 Luke Humphries vs Nick Kenny View
12/28 12:45 5 Ryan Joyce vs Ryan Searle View
12/28 14:00 5 Scott Williams vs Ricardo Pietreczko View
12/28 15:15 5 Nathan Aspinall vs Andrew Gilding View
12/28 19:15 5 Chris Dobey vs Josh Rock View
12/28 20:30 5 Michael van Gerwen vs Brendan Dolan View
12/28 21:45 5 Luke Littler vs Ian White View

The PDC World Darts Championship, known for sponsorship purposes as the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), is a World Professional Darts Championship held annually in the sport of darts. The PDC world championship begins in December and ends in January and is held at Alexandra Palace in London, and has been held there since 2008. It is the most prestigious of the PDC's tournaments, with the winner receiving the Sid Waddell Trophy, named in honour of the darts commentator Sid Waddell, who died in 2012. Along with the Premier League Darts and World Matchplay, it is considered part of the Triple Crown.

The PDC championship began in 1994 as the WDC World Darts Championship as one of the consequences of the split in darts, which saw the World Darts Council break away from the BDO. As a result of the settlement between the BDO and the WDC in 1997, the WDC became the PDC, and players were thenceforth free to choose which world championship to enter (but not both in the same year), as long as they met certain eligibility criteria. Both organisations continued to organize their own world championship until the 2020 editions, after which the BDO folded.

There have been twelve different winners since the tournament's inception. With 14 wins from 25 appearances, Phil Taylor has dominated the competition, last winning it in 2013. The other players to win it more than once are John Part (2003 & 2008), Adrian Lewis (2011 & 2012), Gary Anderson (2015 & 2016), Michael van Gerwen (2014, 2017 & 2019) and Peter Wright (2020 & 2022). The one-time winners are the inaugural champion Dennis Priestley (1994), Raymond van Barneveld (2007), Rob Cross (2018), Gerwyn Price (2021), Michael Smith (2023) and Luke Humphries (2024).

History

A match between Mensur Suljović and Kevin Painter at the 2010 championship

In 1992, some high-profile players, including all previous winners of the BDO World Darts Championship still active in the game, formed the WDC (now PDC), and in 1994, held their first World Championship. Dennis Priestley won the inaugural competition.

The players who broke away were taking a significant gamble – the tournament was broadcast on satellite television rather than terrestrial, and from 1994 to 2001, the prize fund for the players in the WDC/PDC World Championship was lower than the prize fund in the BDO version, although the 1997 PDC World Champion received £45,000 compared to that year's BDO World Champion receiving £38,000. In 2002, the PDC prize fund overtook that of the BDO for the first time, and the PDC event now boasts the largest prize fund of any darts competition. In 2010, the prize fund reached £1 million for the first time, with the World Champion collecting £200,000.

The 2014 and 2015 PDC World Champions collected £250,000 for their respective wins. For the next three years, winner's share increased by £50,000 each year culminating in a 2018 prize fund of £1.8 million. The current prize fund for the tournament is £2.5 million with £500,000 to the winner, as set since the 2019 edition.

In 2020, the British Darts Organisation — which had held a separate version of the world championship since the split in 1994 — went into liquidation. As a result, the PDC version was briefly the only recognised world championship in darts until the 2022 WDF World Darts Championship was held.[]

**PDC World Championship: A Showcase of Precision and Skill**

The PDC World Championship is the pinnacle event in the world of professional darts, attracting the finest players from across the globe to compete for the coveted title. Held annually at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London, this prestigious tournament showcases the highest level of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship in the sport.

Spanning over several weeks, the championship features a thrilling knockout format, where players battle it out in a series of electrifying matches. Fans can expect to witness breathtaking displays of accuracy as the world's top darts professionals aim for the bullseye, showcasing their exceptional talent and mental fortitude.

With a rich history dating back to its inception, the PDC World Championship has become a highlight of the sporting calendar, drawing thousands of passionate fans to the venue and millions more watching from home. The atmosphere is electric, filled with the roar of the crowd, the sound of darts hitting the board, and the excitement of each high-stakes match.

In addition to the intense competition, the tournament is known for its vibrant entertainment, including live music, fan engagement activities, and a festive atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of darts. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the sport, the PDC World Championship promises an unforgettable experience filled with drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments.

Join us as we celebrate the best in darts and witness history in the making at the PDC World Championship!