What Is 1987 BDO World Darts Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 BDO World Darts Championship was held from January 3–10, 1987, at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, where Eric Bristow won his third world title by defeating John Lowe 6–3 in sets.

Key Facts

Tournament took place from January 3–10, 1987, at the Lakeside Country Club
Eric Bristow won his third BDO World Darts title
Final score: Eric Bristow defeated John Lowe 6–3 in sets
Prize fund totaled £36,000, with £11,000 for the winner
John Lowe became the first player to hit a televised nine-dart finish during the tournament

Overview

The 1987 BDO World Darts Championship was the 10th edition of the event and marked a significant milestone in the sport’s history. Held at the iconic Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey, it showcased the world’s top darts players competing for the prestigious title and a growing prize fund.

This championship solidified darts as a mainstream televised sport in the UK and highlighted the dominance of Eric Bristow. The event also featured a historic moment when John Lowe achieved the first televised nine-dart finish, a feat that remains legendary in darts lore.

January 3–10, 1987: The tournament spanned eight days, concluding with the final on January 10 at the Lakeside venue, which had become synonymous with world darts.
Eric Bristow: The defending champion entered as a favorite and claimed his third world title, cementing his status as one of the game’s greatest players.
John Lowe: Despite losing the final, Lowe made history by throwing a nine-dart leg during his semi-final match against Keith Deller, the first ever recorded on television.
Prize money: The total purse was £36,000, with the winner receiving £11,000, a significant sum for the era and reflective of darts’ rising popularity.
Format: Matches were played in sets, with each set decided by the best of three legs, and the final was contested over the best of 11 sets.

Historic Moments and Rules

The 1987 championship combined traditional darts rules with high-stakes drama, creating moments that would define the sport’s legacy. Players competed under BDO regulations, which emphasized precision, consistency, and mental toughness under pressure.

Nine-dart finish: John Lowe achieved this perfect leg in the semi-final, hitting two 180s and finishing with a 141 checkout (treble 20, treble 19, double 12), a first in televised darts.
Eric Bristow’s dominance: Bristow won the final 6–3 in sets, showcasing his composure and superior scoring to claim his third world title in five years.
Lakeside atmosphere: The venue’s intimate layout and passionate crowd created a unique pressure-cooker environment, enhancing the tournament’s reputation for drama.
Televised coverage: Broadcast by the BBC, the event reached millions, with peak viewership during Lowe’s nine-darter and the final match.
Player field: Sixteen players qualified, including international competitors, though the top spots remained dominated by English players.
Scoring system: Each leg required players to reduce a starting score of 501 to zero, with the double-out rule strictly enforced for the final dart.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1987 BDO World Darts Championship compared to previous years showed significant growth in prize money, viewership, and historical significance.

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Winner’s Prize	Historic Moment
1984	Eric Bristow	John Lowe	£8,000	Bristow’s first world title
1985	Eric Bristow	John Lowe	£9,000	Bristow’s second title
1986	Bob Anderson	Eddie Charlton	£10,000	Anderson’s debut win
1987	Eric Bristow	John Lowe	£11,000	First televised nine-dart finish
1988	Bob Anderson	Keith Deller	£12,000	Anderson’s second title

The table illustrates the steady increase in prize money and the recurring rivalry between Bristow and Lowe. The 1987 event stands out not only for Bristow’s victory but for Lowe’s perfect leg, a moment that elevated darts into a new realm of athletic achievement.

Why It Matters

The 1987 BDO World Darts Championship was a turning point that elevated darts from a pub pastime to a respected professional sport. Its blend of elite performance, historic milestones, and media exposure helped shape the modern game.

Cultural impact: The televised nine-dart finish captivated audiences, making darts front-page news and boosting public interest in the sport.
Eric Bristow’s legacy: Winning his third title solidified Bristow as the dominant player of the 1980s and a role model for future professionals.
John Lowe’s achievement: The first televised nine-darter set a new benchmark for excellence, inspiring generations of players to pursue perfection.
Media growth: BBC coverage expanded the sport’s reach, proving darts could attract prime-time audiences and lucrative sponsorships.
Format influence: The Lakeside format became the gold standard for world championships, influencing future tournament structures.
Global recognition: The event raised the international profile of darts, paving the way for future world-class competitions and player endorsements.

Today, the 1987 championship is remembered not just for who won, but for what it represented—a moment when darts stepped into the spotlight and proved its place in sports history.