What Is 2018 BDO World Darts Championship

Overview

The 2018 BDO World Darts Championship was the 41st edition of the prestigious tournament, held annually by the British Darts Organisation. It marked a pivotal moment in darts history as Glen Durrant claimed his first world title, cementing his status as a dominant force in the BDO circuit.

Hosted at the iconic Lakeside Leisure Complex in Frimley Green, England, the event ran from January 6 to 14, 2018, drawing top amateur and semi-professional players from around the world. The championship featured both men’s and women’s competitions, showcasing high-level darts in a traditional, single-elimination format.

• Format: The men’s tournament featured a 32-player field competing in a knockout format across seven rounds, culminating in a best-of-13 sets final.
• Venue: The Lakeside Leisure Complex hosted the event for the 39th consecutive year, maintaining its legacy as the spiritual home of BDO darts.
• Winner: Glen Durrant won his first BDO World Championship by defeating Mark Frost 7–6 in a tightly contested final.
• Women’s Champion: Anastasia Dobromyslova claimed her third BDO women’s title by defeating Deta Hedman 3–1 in sets.
• Prize Money: The total prize fund was £270,000, with the men’s winner receiving £100,000—the largest purse in BDO history at the time.

How It Works

The BDO World Darts Championship follows a structured format that emphasizes consistency and endurance over multiple rounds of high-pressure play.

• Knockout Format: All matches are single elimination, meaning one loss results in immediate exit from the tournament, increasing stakes with each round.
• Scoring System: Matches are played in sets, with each set won by the first to three legs, and the final decided by best-of-13 sets.
• Qualification: Players qualify through regional tournaments, rankings, or wildcards, with 24 men and 8 women selected for the main draw.
• Darts Rules: Competitors use standard 26-gram darts and must finish on a double, following traditional 501 format rules.
• Referees: Each match is overseen by a referee who enforces rules, calls scores, and ensures fair play throughout the game.
• Broadcast: The 2018 event was televised in the UK by BBC Sport, reaching millions of viewers and maintaining the tournament’s visibility.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2018 BDO World Darts Championship with its PDC counterpart, highlighting structural and financial differences.

The table illustrates the growing disparity between the BDO and PDC in prize money and global reach. While the BDO maintained tradition and accessibility for amateur players, the PDC continued to dominate in commercial success and media exposure.

Why It Matters

The 2018 BDO World Darts Championship was significant both as a competitive milestone and as a symbol of shifting dynamics in professional darts.

• Legacy: The event preserved the BDO’s heritage, continuing a tradition that began in 1978 and helped popularize darts globally.
• Player Development: Winning at Lakeside often served as a springboard for players aiming to transition to the PDC circuit.
• Gender Equality: The inclusion of a women’s championship highlighted efforts to promote inclusivity in a historically male-dominated sport.
• Financial Impact: Despite lower prize money, the BDO offered a vital platform for non-contracted players to earn recognition and income.
• Cultural Significance: The tournament maintained a nostalgic appeal, with fans valuing its traditional atmosphere and grassroots roots.
• Decline Indicator: The 2018 event foreshadowed the BDO’s eventual collapse in 2020, underscoring challenges in sustaining relevance.

Ultimately, the 2018 championship represented both the enduring spirit of amateur darts and the pressures facing smaller organizations in an increasingly commercialized sport.