A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME: THE EVOLUTION OF THE PDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

In the annals of darts history, the PDC World Championship stands as a testament to the enthralling sport’s evolution, drama and enduring legacy. From its humble beginnings at the Circus Tavern to the modern-day extravaganza at Alexandra Palace, the tournament has undergone a remarkable journey through time. The latest edition of the PDC World Championship is currently underway at ‘Ally Pally’, with little to separate Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen as the favourites in the betting on darts. So, as yet another chapter unfolds at the iconic venue in north London, let’s look back at the evolution of the sport’s most prestigious tournament. 1994: The birth at Circus Tavern The inaugural PDC World Championship took place in 1994 at the iconic Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex. Founded by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) as a breakaway from the British Darts Organisation (BDO), the tournament aimed to bring a new level of professionalism and spectacle to the world of darts. Dennis Priestley emerged as the first-ever PDC World Champion, etching his name in history. 1995-2013: Phil Taylor’s dominance The 1990s saw the emergence of a darting legend, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. Taylor’s stranglehold on the PDC World Championship for the next two decades was unparalleled, as he reached the final 14 times in a row from the inaugural edition in 1994 to 2007. In that time, he won an unprecedented eight World Championships in succession and 11 overall — not including the three more he won in 2009, 2010 and 2013, respectively. As a 14-time winner and 21-time finalist, Taylor’s supremacy showcased not only his skill on the oche but also his mental fortitude — making him the face of the PDC World Championship and a household name. 2003-2008: Expanding horizons As the tournament grew in stature, the PDC World Championship saw its first non-British winner as Canadian John Part ended Taylor’s run of dominance in 2003 — marking a shift in the international landscape of the sport. After three more years of Taylor taking home the trophy between 2004-06, we witnessed the rise of Raymond van Barneveld — as the Dutchman beat The Power to the title in 2007. Part won his second PDC World Championship crown in 2008, and another non-British player would later emerge as a formidable force in the tournament (who we’ll mention later). 2008: Ally Pally becomes home Ahead of the 2008 renewal of the PDC World Championship, organisers found a new home at Alexandra Palace — marking a significant milestone in its journey. The iconic venue, known as Ally Pally to darts lovers, brought grandeur and an electric atmosphere to the tournament. The move coincided with a surge in popularity and the PDC World Championship continued to attract mass attention. 2014-present: Michael van Gerwen and other challengers As Taylor’s powers diminished, Van Gerwen became the new face of the PDC World Championship — winning his maiden title when beating Peter Wright in 2014 and adding two more victories to his CV with wins over Gary Anderson (2017) and Michael Smith (2019). ‘Mighty Mike’ hasn’t had it all his way over the last decade though, as the PDC World Championship has become a lot more open in the post-Taylor era — with five others etching their names in darting folklore. Gary Anderson won back-to-back titles in 2015-16, while his fellow Scot ‘Snakebite’ Wright has also subsequently become a two-time world champion. Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price and defending champion Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith have also taken home the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy. The openness of the tournament in the modern era makes it difficult to pick a winner in the World Darts Championship 2023 betting.