What Is 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic was a professional darts tournament held from July 4–8, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, featuring 64 players and won by Phil Taylor, who defeated Raymond van Barneveld 13–10 in the final.

Key Facts

The 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic took place from July 4–8, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Phil Taylor won the tournament, defeating Raymond van Barneveld 13–10 in the final match.
The event featured a 64-player field, including top PDC and international darts professionals.
Total prize money was $250,000, with $50,000 awarded to the champion.
It was the fifth and final edition of the Las Vegas Desert Classic before the event was discontinued.

Overview

The 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic was the fifth and final edition of a professional darts tournament hosted annually in Las Vegas. Organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), it brought together top players from around the world for a high-stakes competition in a city known for entertainment and spectacle.

Staged at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino from July 4 to 8, 2007, the event attracted a global audience and featured a knockout format leading to a televised final. The tournament was notable for its blend of elite darts talent and American showmanship, aiming to expand darts' appeal in the U.S. market.

Field Size: The tournament included 64 players, a mix of top-ranked PDC professionals and international qualifiers, ensuring a competitive and diverse lineup.
Prize Pool: A total of $250,000 was on offer, with the winner receiving $50,000, making it one of the most lucrative darts events outside the UK.
Champion:Phil Taylor claimed the title by defeating Raymond van Barneveld 13–10 in the final, marking his third Desert Classic win.
Venue: The event was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, utilizing a specially designed stage to accommodate darts and audience visibility.
Format: Matches were played in a best-of-legs format, with the final requiring a player to win 13 legs to claim victory.

How It Works

The 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic followed a structured knockout format with seeded players and progressive rounds culminating in a televised final. Each stage was designed to test consistency, precision, and mental endurance under pressure.

Qualification: Players qualified via PDC rankings, regional qualifiers, or invitations; 32 seeded players were automatically entered into the second round.
First Round: The initial 32 matches featured unseeded entrants, with winners advancing to face top seeds in the second round.
Match Format: Early rounds used a best-of-11 legs format, increasing to best-of-15 in quarterfinals and best-of-25 in the final.
Scoring: Each leg required players to finish on a double, following standard PDC rules, with the first to reach the target winning the leg.
Television Coverage: The event was broadcast internationally, with ESPN airing the final in the U.S., helping to grow darts' visibility in North America.
Referees: Matches were overseen by certified PDC officials who enforced rules, monitored conduct, and verified scorekeeping in real time.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic compared to other major darts tournaments of the era:

Tournament	Location	Year Held	Prize Fund	Winner
Las Vegas Desert Classic	Las Vegas, USA	2007	$250,000	Phil Taylor
PDC World Darts Championship	London, UK	2007	£1,000,000	Raymond van Barneveld
UK Open	Bolton, UK	2007	£100,000	James Wade
World Matchplay	Blackpool, UK	2007	£200,000	Phil Taylor
World Grand Prix	Dublin, Ireland	2007	£175,000	Phil Taylor

The 2007 Desert Classic ranked fourth in prize money among major darts events that year, behind the PDC World Championship but ahead of the UK Open. Its unique Las Vegas setting and American broadcast focus distinguished it from traditional UK-centric tournaments, though it was discontinued after 2007 due to logistical and financial challenges.

Why It Matters

The 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic played a pivotal role in the global expansion of professional darts, serving as a bridge between European dominance and American sports culture. Though short-lived, its impact on tournament design and international outreach remains notable.

Global Exposure: The event increased darts’ visibility in the U.S., with ESPN coverage introducing the sport to millions of new viewers.
Player Development: It offered non-UK players, like John Part and Co Stompé, a high-profile stage to compete against top-tier talent.
Innovation: The tournament experimented with lighting and stage design, influencing future PDC events like the Premier League Darts.
Legacy: Though discontinued, it paved the way for later U.S. events such as the US Darts Masters in 2022.
Competition Level: Featuring 8 of the top 10 PDC players, it maintained elite competitive standards despite its location.
Cultural Impact: The blend of darts and Las Vegas glamour helped reframe darts as a global entertainment product, not just a pub game.

The 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic remains a landmark event in darts history, symbolizing both the sport’s international ambitions and the challenges of sustaining non-traditional tournaments in new markets.