Professional Darts Historic View
Darts has transitioned from a pub-based pastime into a global powerhouse of professional sports entertainment. While the game was historically split between two entities, the landscape has changed dramatically in recent years.
The Rise and Fall of the BDO
The British Darts Organisation (BDO), founded in 1973, was the long-standing bedrock of the sport. However, after decades of internal struggle and declining sponsorship, the BDO went into liquidation in 2020.
- The Successor: The World Darts Federation (WDF) has since stepped in to fill the vacuum, launching its own World Championships to provide a path for amateur and semi-pro players.
Let’s dive into the fascinating and often turbulent history of the split that reshaped professional darts.
The Great Divide: Why the BDO Split and the PDC Was Born
The schism in professional darts that led to the formation of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) was not a sudden event but the culmination of growing frustrations and differing visions for the sport’s future. It primarily stemmed from issues related to prize money, television exposure, and player welfare under the long-standing British Darts Organisation (BDO).
The BDO’s Early Reign and Growing Stagnation
Founded in 1973 by Olly Croft, the BDO established the first structured professional circuit for darts. It created the World Darts Federation (WDF) in 1976 and launched the iconic World Professional Darts Championship at the Lakeside Country Club (and originally at the Jollees Cabaret Club) in 1978. For many years, the BDO was synonymous with darts, enjoying strong television coverage, especially with the BBC.
However, by the late 1980s and early 1990s, several problems began to emerge:
- Declining TV Coverage: Following a dip in popularity and what some viewed as a “pub sport” image, major broadcasters began to cut back on their darts coverage. Prize money consequently stagnated or even decreased.
- Lack of Professionalism: Many top players felt the BDO was not doing enough to promote the sport as a serious professional endeavour. They wanted higher prize money, more consistent playing opportunities, and a greater say in the running of their own sport.
- Olly Croft’s Control: BDO founder Olly Croft was seen by some as having too much autocratic control, with little willingness to listen to the concerns of the top players, particularly regarding the commercial future of the game.
The Formation of the World Darts Council (WDC)
In 1992, a group of 16 top players, including all the former world champions, felt they had reached an impasse with the BDO. They formed an organisation initially known as the World Darts Council (WDC). Their demands were simple: they wanted to play in more prestigious tournaments with better prize money and increased television coverage. They also wanted the right to promote their own events.
The BDO’s response was swift and uncompromising:
- Bans and Exclusions: The BDO immediately banned all WDC players from participating in any BDO-sanctioned tournaments, including the prestigious World Championship. They also pressured sponsors and venues not to work with the WDC.
- Legal Battles: This led to a bitter legal battle known as the “BDO vs. WDC” court case. The WDC argued for the right of players to freely associate and compete.
The Birth of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)
The legal dispute was eventually settled in 1997 through an out-of-court agreement. The key outcomes were:
- The WDC was rebranded as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
- The PDC was recognized as a separate entity, free to organize its own tournaments.
- BDO players were free to switch to the PDC, and vice-versa, though contractual obligations remained.
- The BDO retained its rights to run its own tournaments, including its World Championship, and to be the governing body for amateur darts.
This agreement, often referred to as the “Tomlin Order,” formally established two distinct professional darts organisations.
The Divergent Paths
From that point on, the PDC focused relentlessly on commercial growth:
- Television Deals: They secured lucrative TV deals, initially with Sky Sports, which provided the financial backbone for significant prize money increases.
- Modern Branding: The PDC embraced a more modern, entertainment-focused approach to tournaments, with walk-on music, theatrical lighting, and large, energetic crowds.
- Player Focus: Prize money continued to rise dramatically, attracting the best talent from around the world, including BDO champions like Raymond van Barneveld.
Conversely, the BDO, while retaining a loyal following and its long-standing history, struggled to keep pace. Financial issues, governance problems, and dwindling TV exposure eventually led to its decline and, ultimately, its liquidation in 2020. The World Darts Federation (WDF), originally an umbrella organisation for national bodies under the BDO, has since stepped up to host its own World Championship, providing a pathway for players outside the PDC circuit.
The split, initially contentious, ultimately proved to be a catalyst for growth, transforming darts into the thriving, high-stakes global spectacle it is today, largely due to the commercial ambition and player-centric approach of the PDC.
The PDC Dominance
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), which began as a breakaway group in 1992, is now the undisputed global leader in professional darts.
- Prize Money: While the original text noted “higher prize money,” today’s PDC circuit is a multi-million dollar industry. The World Championship winner now takes home £500,000 ($600k+), a far cry from the early days.
- Global Reach: Tournaments are no longer just UK-centric; the PDC holds major “World Series” events in New York, Bahrain, Copenhagen, and Australia.
Legends of the Game
The New Era: The sport is now dominated by a new generation of stars like Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and the teenage sensation Luke Littler, who brought unprecedented mainstream media attention to the sport in 2024.
Phil Taylor: The “Power” eventually retired with a record 16 World Titles (two BDO, 14 PDC), cementing his status as the greatest of all time.