In 2005, darts achieved the significant milestone of being officially recognised as a sport in the United Kingdom. This historic recognition was the culmination of a concerted campaign spearheaded by the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), who united their efforts to promote darts as a bona fide sporting endeavour.
Their campaign proved successful in convincing Sport England, the government’s sports agency, of the merits of recognising darts as a sport. To meet the criteria set forth by Sport England, darts had to demonstrate its popularity among a substantial number of participants, possess a governing body to oversee its affairs, establish a comprehensive framework of national and international competitions, adhere to a code of ethics, and remain inclusive and accessible to all.
Darts surpassed these criteria with flying colours, earning its well-deserved status as a recognised sport in the United Kingdom. This official recognition brought forth several benefits for darts. It opened doors to financial support from Sport England and other governmental bodies, providing vital resources to enhance the sport’s infrastructure and development. Furthermore, the recognition helped propel darts into the limelight, elevating its visibility and attracting more interest from both players and spectators.
Since achieving official recognition, darts has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity across the United Kingdom. Countless individuals now engage in the sport on a regular basis, honing their skills and competing in various leagues and tournaments. The professional darts circuit has thrived, captivating audiences with its high-stakes competitions and thrilling displays of precision and strategy.