What Is 2019 PDC World Darts Championship

Overview

The 2019 PDC World Darts Championship was the 26th edition of the Professional Darts Corporation's premier tournament, held annually at Alexandra Palace in London. It marked a pivotal moment in darts history, showcasing elite skill and global participation, with 72 players competing from 21 countries for the Sid Waddell Trophy and a share of £2.5 million in prize money.

Running from December 13, 2018, to January 1, 2019, the championship featured a best-of format that increased in length as players advanced, culminating in a best-of-13 sets final. Michael van Gerwen emerged victorious, defeating Michael Smith 7–3 in the final to claim his second world title and solidify his status as one of the sport’s modern greats.

• Format: The tournament used a knockout structure with matches progressing from best-of-five sets in the first round to best-of-13 in the final, ensuring high-pressure consistency.
• Location: Held at Alexandra Palace in London, a venue that has hosted the event since 2008, drawing over 100,000 spectators across the tournament.
• Participants: A field of 72 players included top seeds, PDC tour card holders, and international qualifiers from regions such as North America, Asia, and Oceania.
• Prize Pool: The total prize fund was £2.5 million, with £500,000 awarded to the winner—among the highest payouts in darts history at the time.
• Television Coverage: Broadcast live by Sky Sports in the UK and globally via partners including ESPN and DAZN, reaching an estimated 4 million viewers for the final.

How It Works

The PDC World Darts Championship follows a structured progression of rounds, formats, and qualification criteria designed to test endurance, precision, and mental toughness over a three-week period.

• Qualification: The top 32 players from the PDC Order of Merit automatically qualified, while others earned spots through ProTour rankings, regional qualifiers, and invitational entries.
• Seeding: The top 32 players were seeded, with Michael van Gerwen entering as the number one seed based on his world ranking at the time.
• Match Format: Early rounds were best-of-five sets, increasing to best-of-seven, best-of-nine, best-of-11, and finally best-of-13 sets in the final.
• Scoring System: Each set is won by the first to three legs, with a deciding leg played if the set reaches 2–2, and a sudden-death leg if necessary.
• Double-In, Double-Out: Players must start each leg by hitting a double to begin scoring and finish on a double to win the leg, adding strategic complexity.
• Time Limits: Players have 45 seconds per dart to throw, with a 15-second warning; exceeding the limit results in a forfeited turn, adding pressure in crucial moments.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 edition can be better understood by comparing it to previous years in terms of structure, prize money, and player performance.

This comparison highlights a steady increase in prize money and competitive depth. While the final format remained consistent since 2009, the 2019 tournament saw a rise in global representation and televised viewership, reflecting the sport’s growing international appeal.

Why It Matters

The 2019 PDC World Darts Championship had significant implications for the sport’s visibility, player careers, and global fanbase, cementing darts as a mainstream entertainment spectacle.

• Global Exposure: With broadcasts in over 100 countries, the event boosted darts' popularity in non-traditional markets such as the United States and Southeast Asia.
• Player Earnings: The £500,000 winner’s purse allowed top players to pursue darts full-time, reducing reliance on secondary jobs.
• Competitive Benchmark: Van Gerwen’s victory reaffirmed his dominance, though Smith’s strong performance signaled a generational shift in the sport.
• Media Attention: The final received extensive coverage from major outlets like BBC Sport and The Guardian, elevating darts’ cultural status.
• Legacy Impact: The tournament inspired youth participation, with darts academies reporting a 20% increase in enrollment post-2019.
• Commercial Growth: Sponsorship deals with companies like Unicorn and Winmau expanded, reflecting increased confidence in the sport’s commercial viability.

Overall, the 2019 championship was a landmark event that combined athletic excellence with entertainment, setting new standards for future tournaments and solidifying the PDC’s position as the premier darts organization worldwide.