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Steve Beaton confirms retirement from PDC Darts following 2024 season

Jamie Shaw in World Darts Championship 21 Dec 2023

Steve Beaton departs the Ally Pally stage (Photo by Taylor Lanning/PDC)

Former World Champion Steve Beaton has announced that 2024 will be his final year as a professional, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career.

Beaton, a stalwart of the sport for more than 30 years, will retire from the PDC circuit at the end of next season, citing his desire to spend more time at home.

World Masters champion in 1993, Beaton went on to claim the Lakeside crown three years later, before joining the PDC in 2001.

He has gone on to claim three PDC ranking titles, as well as reaching the final of the 2009 European Championship and appearing in an incredible 23 consecutive PDC World Championships.

Beaton, who will celebrate his 60th birthday next April, has decided that next season will be his last on tour regardless of whether he retains his tour card.

The Bronzed Adonis defeated Dutch youngster Wessel Nijman in Round One of the World Championship on Tuesday and revealed in his post-match press conference that he intended to call time on his career in the next 12 months.

“Next year will definitely be my last, however this tournament goes,” said Beaton. “I’m 60 next year and it’s a gruelling circuit.

“I’ve been married 30-odd years now and my wife hardly sees me, I’m only home half of the year.

“People don’t understand what you have to do to carry on with the darts.

“It’s great if you are a youngster, I would have been buzzing if it had been like this when I was 21. But it’s quite draining and it will be nice to spend a bit of time at home for a change.

“I thought this year was going to be my last, but I started off really well.

“Even if I won the Worlds, I’d still have to sit back and think I can’t keep going.

“Wouldn’t it be a good way to go out by winning the Worlds?!”

Beaton, who will face Daryl Gurney in the Second Round at Alexandra Palace on Saturday, then released an official statement on Thursday confirming his decision to retire in 2024.

However, he intends to transition immediately to the World Seniors tour and continue to feature on the exhibition circuit.

The statement read: ‘I was originally planning to issue a press release at the end of January before the ProTour started, stating that 2024 would be my final year on the PDC circuit.

‘I was hoping that I would be able to hand back my Tour Card at the end of next year, instead of losing it, and hopefully I will qualify for the World Championship next year too and get the chance to step down on the biggest stage of all.

‘After winning against Wessel Nijman on Tuesday and subsequently speaking to the media about my future, I thought it was better to make this announcement now that this will be my last year as a professional on the PDC tour.

‘It has been a fantastic journey for me. The PDC has been a huge part of my life and I would like to thank everyone involved for what they have created for me and all darts players worldwide.

‘Maybe in some sort of way I’d like to be still involved in PDC – they have been a huge part of my life and it’s been a great rollercoaster ride.

‘My full focus will be of course playing my best darts in 2024 in the PDC, and in 2025 I will be playing the World Seniors Darts Tour, which after turning 60 next April probably will suit me better.

‘The World Seniors look to be creating a fantastic place for us older players, and as I reach the twilight of my career, it seems the logical place for me to be.

‘I will of course still be doing exhibitions and promotional work for well into the foreseeable future as this is a huge part of my life and still something I want to be involved in as long as I possibly can.

‘I’m really looking forward to 2024 and would like to thank my wife Nanette for her continued support throughout my career and my sponsors Winmau, Wigley Group and Aviation recruitment and all the fans and supporters for their huge support.

‘I’m excited about what’s ahead of me, starting with my second round game against Daryl Gurney on Saturday in the World Championship.’

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Steve Beaton confirms retirement from PDC Darts following 2024 season

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