The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) is the engine behind the modern darts explosion. However, the history of the PDC began in a state of high-stakes rebellion. In the early 1990s, darts was in a slump. Television coverage had dwindled, and sponsors were fleeing. The top 16 players in the world felt the governing body at the time, the BDO, was failing to modernize. This led to “The Split”—the most controversial moment in the sport’s history.
The 1992 Split and the World Darts Council
In January 1992, the 16 players—including every active former world champion—broke away to form the World Darts Council (WDC). Their goal was simple: to get darts back on television and increase prize money. The BDO responded by banning the rebels from all BDO-sanctioned events. A long legal battle followed, eventually settled in 1997 with the “Tomlin Order,” which saw the WDC rebranded as the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and recognized as a legitimate professional body.
The Barry Hearn Era and Global Expansion
The PDC’s trajectory changed forever in 2001 when sports promoter Barry Hearn became Chairman. Hearn applied the same promotional magic he used in snooker and boxing to the oche. He introduced the “party atmosphere” to tournaments, brought in massive sponsorships like William Hill and Paddy Power, and secured long-term broadcasting deals with Sky Sports. This transformation turned players into household names and increased the World Championship prize fund from thousands to millions.
The Future of the Professional Darts Corporation
Today, the PDC is a global powerhouse. With the emergence of young talents like Luke Littler and the expansion of the World Series into Asia, the US, and Australia, the PDC continues to break records. The “darts boom” shows no signs of slowing down, proving that the 16 rebels of 1992 were right to take their historic gamble.
