PDC World Darts Championship: History and Records

Every winter, the PDC World Darts Championship turns Alexandra Palace in north London into the loudest sporting venue on the planet. Fancy dress, singing crowds and walk-on music meet some of the highest-pressure darts ever thrown. The tournament has grown from a breakaway event in an Essex nightclub to a global spectacle with a seven-figure first prize. This page covers the history of the championship, how the format works, the records and the players who have made it famous.

How it began

The PDC World Championship was first held in 1994. In the early 1990s, a group of leading professionals broke away from the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and formed what would become the Professional Darts Corporation. Their first world championship, originally known as the WDC World Darts Championship, was held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex. Dennis Priestley won that first title.

For several years, darts had two separate world championships: the BDO event at Lakeside and the PDC event at the Circus Tavern. Over time, the PDC became the home of most of the world's best players, and its championship grew into the main event in the sport. The BDO itself ceased operating in 2020.

The move to Alexandra Palace

In 2008, the championship moved from the Circus Tavern to Alexandra Palace, known to fans as "Ally Pally". The larger venue, combined with growing television audiences, turned the event into a festive tradition held over Christmas and New Year. Today, sold-out sessions, elaborate costumes and constant singing are as much a part of the championship as the darts.

The format

The World Championship is played in the sets format. Each set is a best of five legs of 501, and matches get longer as the tournament progresses, with the final played over many sets. For the 2026 edition, the field was expanded to 128 players from all over the world, qualifying through the PDC Order of Merit, the Pro Tour and international qualifiers. Read more about how legs and sets work in our guide to the darts rules.

Prize money

Prize money has grown enormously over the years. For the 2026 championship, the total prize fund reached £5 million, with £1 million for the winner and £400,000 for the runner-up, a milestone that showed how far the sport has come since its pub origins.

The champions

A small group of players has dominated the event:

• Phil Taylor: 14 PDC world titles between 1995 and 2013, the most of any player. With his two BDO titles, he won 16 world championships in total.
• Michael van Gerwen: three titles, in 2014, 2017 and 2019.
• John Part: two titles, in 2003 and 2008.
• Adrian Lewis: back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
• Gary Anderson: back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
• Peter Wright: titles in 2020 and 2022.
• Luke Littler: titles in 2025 and 2026.

Other champions include Dennis Priestley (1994), Raymond van Barneveld (2007), Rob Cross (2018), Gerwyn Price (2021), Michael Smith (2023) and Luke Humphries (2024).

Records and milestones

• Youngest champion: Luke Littler, who won his first title in 2025 aged 17 years, 11 months and 13 days.
• Most titles: Phil Taylor, with 14 PDC titles.
• 2026 final: Luke Littler beat Gian van Veen of the Netherlands 7–1 to retain his title.
• Nine-darters: perfect legs have been thrown on the Ally Pally stage several times, and each one remains one of the most celebrated moments of the tournament.

Memorable moments

Some finals have become part of darts folklore. Raymond van Barneveld's 2007 win over Phil Taylor in a deciding leg is often called one of the greatest matches ever played. Rob Cross won the title in 2018 in his very first year as a professional, beating Taylor in his farewell final. And Luke Littler's run to the 2024 final as a 16-year-old debutant, followed by his first title a year later, brought a new generation of fans to the sport.

The rise of the Dutch

The Netherlands has played a huge role in the championship's history. Raymond van Barneveld, already a four-time BDO world champion, won the PDC title in 2007 and sparked a darts boom in his home country. Michael van Gerwen then became one of the most dominant players of the modern era, winning three PDC world titles. In 2026, Gian van Veen reached the final, confirming that a new generation of Dutch talent is ready to challenge for the biggest prize.

The atmosphere at Ally Pally

Part of what makes the World Championship special is the crowd. Fans arrive in elaborate costumes, from superheroes to bananas, and sing throughout the sessions. Every player walks on to their own music, often accompanied by the crowd singing along. The noise can be overwhelming for players making their debut, and handling that pressure is part of the challenge. For many fans, a day at Ally Pally is as much a Christmas tradition as a sporting event.

The championship has also become one of the most watched darts events on television, attracting viewers who rarely follow the sport during the rest of the year.

Watching the World Championship

• The tournament usually runs from mid-December to early January, with a short break over Christmas.
• Sessions are held in the afternoon and evening, with several matches per session.
• Tickets for Alexandra Palace sell out quickly, especially for the later rounds.
• The event is broadcast on television and streaming services in many countries.

How players qualify

Most of the field qualifies through the PDC Order of Merit, a two-year money list that ranks players by their prize money. The rest come through the Pro Tour, which rewards consistent results on the circuit, and through international qualifying events held around the world. This mix means the championship combines established stars with lesser-known players from emerging darts nations, which regularly produces surprise results in the early rounds.

From watching to playing

Watching the best players in the world is a great way to learn. Notice how consistent their stance and release are, how quickly they choose their checkout route and how they reset between darts. Then put it into practice with our guide on how to throw darts, our checkout chart and our practice routines.

Frequently asked questions

When was the first PDC World Championship?

The first edition was held in 1994 at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, and was won by Dennis Priestley.

Who has won the most PDC world titles?

Phil Taylor, with 14 PDC titles. Including two BDO titles, he won 16 world championships in total.

Who is the youngest world champion?

Luke Littler, who won the 2025 title aged 17.