World Darts Championship records: 30 iconic stats in 30 years of the PDC World Championship

The PDC World Darts Championship celebrates its 30-year anniversary in 2023, and we take a look at 30 of the most iconic tournament records.

In 1993, the World Darts Council, formed after a breakaway from the BDO by some of the sport’s leading names, staged its first World Championship at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex.

In the years that followed, the tournament exploded in stature and popularity, going on to become one of the showpiece events of the annual sporting calendar.

The WDC eventually became the PDC which we now know today, and after the tournament had outgrown the intimate surroundings of the Circus Tavern, the decision was taken to move it to Alexandra Palace in North London, with a capacity close to 3,000.

An elite group of 11 players have been crowned PDC World Champion, with six of those lifting the trophy on multiple occasions.

Dennis Priestley became the inaugural champion in 1994, succeeded by Phil Taylor – who remarkably won the next eight consecutive stagings to cement his status as the greatest player of all-time.

Taylor was eventually toppled by Canada’s John Part in an epic final in 2003, with Part becoming the first overseas champion, before ‘The Power’ regained his crown the following year en route to three in a row.

Raymond van Barneveld produced an astonishing comeback to topple Taylor in an historic 2007 final – the last to be held at the Circus Tavern.

Part was the first player to claim glory at Ally Pally, defeating rank outsider Kirk Shepherd in the final, and after Taylor had followed with back-to-back titles to add to his tally, Adrian Lewis replicated that feat by going back-to-back in 2011 and 2012.

The last of Taylor’s 14 PDC world titles and 16 in total came in 2013 courtesy of victory over Michael van Gerwen in the final, but the Dutchman would go one better a year later to land his first world title.

Gary Anderson added his name to the roll of honour in 2015 and is the last player to have successfully retained the title.

Van Gerwen’s second and third titles came in 2017 and 2019, with Rob Cross’ unforgettable debut triumph sandwiched between.

Peter Wright became Scotland’s second PDC World Champion in 2020 and doubled his tally two years later, after Gerwyn Price had lifted his maiden world title behind closed doors in 2021.

Michael Smith fulfilled his darting destiny in 2023 courtesy of a sensational win over Van Gerwen with the aid of a nine-dart finish in the final after MVG had missed double 12 for the nine himself in the same leg.

Here are some of the most notable records in the history of the PDC World Darts Championship…

World Darts Championship records

Total number of different champions: 11
Most appearances: Phil Taylor (25)
Most titles: Phil Taylor (14)
Most final appearances: Phil Taylor (19)
Most match wins: Phil Taylor (110)
Total nine-darters: 14
Most nine-darters: Adrian Lewis & Raymond van Barneveld (2)
Highest tournament average: 106.32 – Michael van Gerwen, 2017
Highest match average: 114.05 – Michael van Gerwen, 2017 Semi-Final
Lowest match average: 53.36 Eric Bristow (1999)
Highest losing average: 109.34 – Raymond van Barneveld, 2017 Semi-Final
Most 100+ averages: 56 – Phil Taylor
Highest 180 total: 901 (2022/23)
Most 180s in a World Championship: Michael Smith (83)
Most 180s in a match: 24 – Peter Wright & Michael Smith (2022)
Highest 180 match total: 42 – Michael van Gerwen & Gary Anderson, 2017 final
Matches played: 1790
Total 170 checkouts: 80
Longest streak of 100+ averages: Michael van Gerwen (19)
Youngest player: Mitchell Clegg – 16 years and 37 days (2007)
Oldest player: Paul Lim – 67 years and 326 days (2021)
Most consecutive appearances: 23 – Steve Beaton
Youngest World Champion: Michael van Gerwen – 24 years & 9 months (2014)
Oldest World Champion: Phil Taylor – 52 years & 5 months (2013)
Most champions by country: 5 – England
Most nations represented: 29
Total number of participants: 486
Women to win a match: 1 – Fallon Sherrock (2019)
Highest winner’s cheque: £500,000 (2019-present)
Lowest winner’s cheque: £12,000 (1995)