What is the history of the PDC World Darts Championship, and how did it come to be?

The PDC World Darts Championship is one of the most prestigious and popular tournaments in the world of darts. The tournament is organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and was first held in 1994, after a group of professional darts players split from the British Darts Organisation (BDO) due to disagreements over sponsorship and prize money.

The PDC World Darts Championship is now held annually in late December and early January, at the Alexandra Palace in London, England. The tournament features 96 players from around the world, competing for a prize pool of over £2.5 million. The tournament is played in a set-play format, with each match consisting of sets and legs. The first player to win three sets wins the match.

The tournament has produced many memorable moments over the years, including Phil Taylor's 16 World Championship titles, Raymond van Barneveld's incredible nine-dart finish in the 2009 final, and Peter Wright's emotional first World Championship win in 2020.

The PDC World Darts Championship has become a cultural phenomenon in the UK and beyond, attracting millions of viewers and fans every year. The tournament has played a key role in the growth and development of professional darts, and has helped to elevate the sport to new heights of popularity and success.

The PDC World Darts Championship is an annual professional darts tournament organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). It is the world's oldest professional darts tournament, and the most prestigious of the PDC's tournaments. The winner receives the Sid Waddell Trophy, named in honour of the darts commentator Sid Waddell, who died in 2012. Along with the Premier League Darts and World Matchplay, it is considered part of the Triple Crown.

The PDC championship began in 1994 as the WDC World Darts Championship as one of the consequences of the split in darts, which saw the World Darts Council break away from the British Darts Organisation (BDO). The BDO had been the sole governing body for professional darts in the UK since 1973, but a number of players were unhappy with the way the organisation was being run. In 1992, they formed the WDC, with the intention of creating a rival professional darts circuit.

The first WDC World Darts Championship was held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, in 1994. The tournament was won by Phil Taylor, who defeated Dennis Priestley in the final. Taylor has since gone on to win the PDC World Darts Championship a record 22 times, more than any other player in history.

The PDC World Darts Championship has been held at Alexandra Palace in London since 2008. The move to Alexandra Palace has been credited with helping to increase the popularity of the tournament. The 2022 PDC World Darts Championship was the most watched darts tournament in history, with an average of 2.5 million viewers per session.

The PDC World Darts Championship is one of the most prestigious events in the world of darts. It is a major draw for both professional and amateur players, and it is watched by millions of people around the world.