BDO confirm Lakeside departure as new World Championship venue announced

Jamie Shaw in BDO Darts News 02 Aug 2019

The iconic Lakeside stage (Credit: Steve Paston/PA Images)

The BDO World Championship is to leave Lakeside after four decades as the tournament heads to the Indigo at The O2 in London from January 2020.

The Lakeside Country Club has widely been regarded as ‘the home of world darts’ since the World Championship was first staged there in 1986, but the BDO’s decision to leave the venue marks the end of an era.

Just 24 hours after announcing that the World Masters will be staged at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, the former home of the PDC World Championship, BDO Chairman Des Jacklin has rung further changes as he looks to freshen the organisation’s image.

A statement on the BDO website read: ‘We have such fond memories and are extremely grateful to The Lakeside, especially Bob & Barbara Potter and all that have helped over the years to make the most famous darts tournament in the world, such a success.

‘Moving to The O2, the most popular venue in the world, is an amazing opportunity and we look forward to working with the O2 and their partners over the coming years to develop a new future for the BDO World Professional Darts Championships.

‘Further announcements to follow soon regarding on-sale dates and tournament/venue information.’

The BDO World Championship is covered by Eurosport’s three-year broadcast deal, but the departure from Frimley Green means the tournament is now without a title sponsor after the Lakeside Complex took over in 2004 following the ban on tobacco sponsorship.

The men’s tournament will also be without a defending champion after reigning and three-time winner Glen Durrant joined the PDC shortly after retaining the crown.

Situated within The O2 complex, Indigo O2 is a 2,350 capacity venue designed in a theatre-style configuration, featuring seating on the balcony and the floor.

Great news for @BDOdarts with 3 majors booked for 3 years, might not be the exact news everyone wanted but a good place to start! Looking forward to hopefully getting to perform at 2 great venues where I’ve been lucky enough to play before! #CircusTavern #TheO2 #hammertime pic.twitter.com/v0UE7pqrR0

— The Hammer (@TheHammer180) August 2, 2019

Looks like I’ll. Be playing here then Nice ?????????????????? https://t.co/NCyTB6l5cU

— adam smith neale (@adamsmithneale1) August 2, 2019

End of an era. I don’t have a year of darts memories that don’t include Lakeside. 2020 is going to be weird, but as with everything in life, times must change, and things must move on. #darts ?? https://t.co/nSPub2rQWZ

— Paul “The Asset” Nicholson (@TheAsset180) August 2, 2019