PDC Pro Tour
Encyclopedia
The PDC Pro Tour is a series of non-televised darts
tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation
(PDC). They comprise Professional Dart Players Association
(PDPA) Players Championships and UK Open Regional Finals.
(PDPA) and have increased in number in recent years. They are known as "floor tournaments", because they usually feature 16 darts boards in close proximity on an arena floor where the tournament is played in the space of a day. Televised events differ by having just one main board on a stage with the audience and cameras situated around it.
Eligibility for these events are usually restricted to PDPA members only, however tournaments in Belgium, Holland, Germany for instance often allow entry to non-PDPA members who are residents of the country staging the tournament. Some overseas players from the BDO
take the opportunity of playing in PDC Players Championships in their home countries.
The events in Australia and Canada attract slightly less prize money:
, so there is some significance to the events, even though they are not televised.
During 2007, the PDC and PDPA added further importance to Players Championships by changing qualification criteria for major televised events. A separate Players Championship Order of Merit was introduced which calculates players earnings for these tournaments only each calendar year. The players who won the most money (without having already made it automatically) were awarded qualifying places at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and World Championship
, amongst others. Previously, a sudden-death knockout qualifying tournament decided the players which meant players could miss out on tournaments because of unlucky matches or unlucky draws. The World Championship, however still maintains an additional qualifying tournament - from which Kirk Shepherd
emerged and went on to reach the world final itself in 2008. This was dropped for the 2010 running of the event, however it has been reinstated for 2011 with one qualifier to come from an event to be held in November 2010.
Mervyn King 6–1 Vincent van der Voort
2.Jan 30th Gerry Weber Centre, Halle
Ronnie Baxter 6–4 Antonio Alcinas
3.Feb 19th Moorways Centre, Derby
Jamie Caven 6–2 Adrian Lewis
John Henderson hits 9 Darter
4.Feb 20th Moorways Centre, Derby
John Part 6-0 Mark Walsh
5.Mar 26th K2 Centre, Crawley
Paul Nicholson 6–4 Adrian Lewis
6.Mar 27th K2 Centre, Crawley
Wes Newton 6–4 Paul Nicholson
7.May 14th Wiener Neustadt, Vienna
John Part 6–0 Denis Ovens
8.May 15th Wiener Neustadt, Vienna
Vincent van der Voort 6–5 Phil Taylor
9.May 21st K2 Centre, Crawley
Gary Anderson 6–3 Terry Jenkins
10.May 22nd K2 Centre, Crawley
Paul Nicholson 6–3 Terry Jenkins
11.June 11th Metrodome, Barnsley
Paul Nicholson 6–4 Steve Brown
12.June 12th Metrodome, Barnsley
Andy Smith 6–2 Dave Chisnall
13.June 18th Nuland, Netherlands
Gary Anderson 6–5 Wes Newton
14.June 19th Nuland, Netherlands
Gary Anderson 6–3 Andy Smith
15.Aug 27th Ontario, Canada
John Part 6–4 Wes Newton
16.Aug 28th Ontario, Canada
Ronnie Baxter 6–2 Kevin Painter
17.Sept 3rd Moorways Centre, Derby
Raymond van Barneveld 6–2 John Part
18.Sept 4th Moorways Centre, Derby
Gary Anderson 6–2 Peter Wright
19.Sept 24th Nuland, Netherlands
Gary Anderson 6–2 Colin Lloyd
20.Sept 25th Nuland, Netherlands
Richie Burnett 6–4 Dave Chisnall
21.Oct 1st New Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin
Phil Taylor 6–3 Michael van Gerwen
22.Oct 2nd New Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin
Justin Pipe 6–5 Phil Taylor
23.Oct 16th National Event Centre, Killarney
Justin Pipe 6–5 Gary Anderson
each year in June. Prior to the televised event, there are eight Regional Open Finals stages (name changed to UK Open Qualifiers in 2010), where the prize money won is collated into a UK Open Order of Merit table which determines 128 qualifiers for the UK Open finals in Bolton.
The tournaments are organised in a similar fashion to the Players Championships in that 32 boards are in operation for a non-televised "floor tournament", completed inside one day. During the 2007-08 UK Open, sponsors Blue Square
had streamed live coverage of these Regional Finals on the internet.
were able to compete. They are now restricted to PDPA members only.
For the 2011 season, a player must only compete in two Qualifiers before being able to qualify for the televised stages.
27 February 2011 (Barnsley) Michael Smith 6-5 Dave Chisnall
12 March 2011 (Wigan) Adrian Lewis 6-4 Robert Thornton
13 March 2011 (Wigan) Vincent van der Voort 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld
16 April 2011 (Barnsley) Gary Anderson 6-4 Phil Taylor Wayne Atwood and Dennis Priestley hit nine-dart finishes.
17 April 2011 (Barnsley) Phil Taylor 6-1 Joe Cullen
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
(PDC). They comprise Professional Dart Players Association
Professional Dart Players Association
The Professional Dart Players Association is an organisation for professional dart players. Its intention is to look after the interests of professional players through an annually elected Board of six current professionals.-Formation:...
(PDPA) Players Championships and UK Open Regional Finals.
Players Championships
Players Championships, originally known as PDPA Players Championships, are organised by the Professional Dart Players AssociationProfessional Dart Players Association
The Professional Dart Players Association is an organisation for professional dart players. Its intention is to look after the interests of professional players through an annually elected Board of six current professionals.-Formation:...
(PDPA) and have increased in number in recent years. They are known as "floor tournaments", because they usually feature 16 darts boards in close proximity on an arena floor where the tournament is played in the space of a day. Televised events differ by having just one main board on a stage with the audience and cameras situated around it.
Eligibility for these events are usually restricted to PDPA members only, however tournaments in Belgium, Holland, Germany for instance often allow entry to non-PDPA members who are residents of the country staging the tournament. Some overseas players from the BDO
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
take the opportunity of playing in PDC Players Championships in their home countries.
Number of events
Number of PDPA Player Championships events per year:- 2004: 5
- 2005: 8
- 2006: 9
- 2007: 21
- 2008: 31
- 2009: 33
- 2010: 37
Prize money
In 2004, the first year of Players Championships - each tournament winner received £5,000. The total prize fund for each 2005 event was £19,600 with the champion still receiving £5,000. The prize money has risen for the 2010 season to £31,200 per event.- Winner £6,000
- Runner-up £3,000
- Semi-finalists £1,500
- Quarter-finalists £1,000
- Last 16 £500
- Last 32 £300
- Last 64 £200
The events in Australia and Canada attract slightly less prize money:
- Winner £5,000
- Runner-up £2,500
- Semi-finalists £1,250
- Quarter-finalists £700
- Last 16 £300
- Last 32 £200
- Last 64 £100
Order of Merit
The prize money won in Players Championship counts towards the PDC Order of Merit which contributes to each players world rankingDarts world rankings
Darts world rankings are a system which should determine a list of the best dart players in the world based on their performances in tournaments...
, so there is some significance to the events, even though they are not televised.
During 2007, the PDC and PDPA added further importance to Players Championships by changing qualification criteria for major televised events. A separate Players Championship Order of Merit was introduced which calculates players earnings for these tournaments only each calendar year. The players who won the most money (without having already made it automatically) were awarded qualifying places at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and World Championship
PDC World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is a world championship competition for the sport of darts, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . It was introduced following a dispute in 1994 with the British Darts Organisation, which has run its own world championship since 1978...
, amongst others. Previously, a sudden-death knockout qualifying tournament decided the players which meant players could miss out on tournaments because of unlucky matches or unlucky draws. The World Championship, however still maintains an additional qualifying tournament - from which Kirk Shepherd
Kirk Shepherd
Kirk Shepherd is a darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events, and lives in Birmingham, England. He is the youngest player ever to reach a final of the World Professional Darts Championship...
emerged and went on to reach the world final itself in 2008. This was dropped for the 2010 running of the event, however it has been reinstated for 2011 with one qualifier to come from an event to be held in November 2010.
2004 Players Championship Finals
- Blackpool, England, 24 July: Phil Taylor beat Andy Jenkins
- Newport, Wales, 25 September: Wayne Mardle 3-2 Colin Lloyd
- Ireland, 16 October: Colin Lloyd beat Phil Taylor
- Scotland, 13 November: Mark Dudbridge 3-1 Peter Manley
- Rotterdam, 6 November: Ronnie Baxter 3-0 Andy Smith
2005 Players Championship Finals
- Hayling Island, Isle of Wight, 18 June: Ronnie Baxter 3-2 Roland Scholten
- Hayling Island, Isle of Wight, 19 June: Colin Lloyd 3-1 Andy Jenkins
- Blackpool, England, 23 July: Phil Taylor 3-0 Wayne Mardle
- Newport, Wales, 24 September: Phil Taylor 3-2 Colin Lloyd
- Dublin, 22 October: Phil Taylor 3-2 Bob Anderson
- Magnum Centre, Irvine, 5 November: Adrian Lewis 3-0 Mick McGowan
- Netherlands, 12 November: Phil Taylor 3-0 Colin Lloyd
- Netherlands, 13 November: Phil Taylor 3-0 Steve Maish
2006 Players Championship Finals
- Gibraltar, 21 January: Dennis Priestley 3-2 Terry Jenkins
- Hayling Island, Isle of Wight, 17 June: Colin Lloyd 3-1 Barrie Bates
- Hayling Island, Isle of Wight, 18 June: Raymond van Barneveld 3-1 Adrian Lewis
- Blackpool, England, 22 July: Phil Taylor 3-1 Roland Scholten
- Newport, Wales, 24 September: Phil Taylor 3-1 James Wade
- Dublin, 21 October: Phil Taylor 3-2 Bob Anderson
- Scotland, 4 November: Adrian Lewis 3-1 Mick McGowan
- Netherlands, 11 November: Colin Lloyd 3-0 Mick McGowan
- Netherlands, 12 November: Barrie Bates 3-2 Phil Taylor
2007 Players Championship Finals
- for expanded results see 2007 PDC Pro Tour2007 PDC Pro TourThe 2007 PDC Pro Tour was a series of non-televised darts tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . They consisted of Professional Dart Players Association Players Championships and UK Open Regional Finals.-Prize money:...
- Gibraltar, 20 January: Raymond van Barneveld 3-1 Adrian Lewis
- Gibraltar, 21 January: Andy Hamilton 3-1 Colin Lloyd
- Frankfurt, 24 March: Raymond van Barneveld 3-1 Ronnie Baxter
- Antwerp Darts Trophy, 15 April: Terry Jenkins 3-1 Colin Lloyd
- Open Holland Masters, 29 April: Peter Manley 3-0 James Wade
- Thialf Darts Trophy, Heerenveen, 3 June: Roland Scholten 3-1 Chris Mason
- Hayling Island, 16 June: Terry Jenkins 3-0 Wes Newton
- Hayling Island, 17 June: John Part 3-1 Mervyn King
- Las Vegas, 1 July: Raymond van Barneveld 3-2 Terry Jenkins
- Bobby Bourn Memorial Trophy, Blackpool, 21 July: Phil Taylor 3-1 Adrian Lewis
- Peachtree Open, Atlanta, Georgia, 26 August: Wayne Mardle 3-2 James Wade
- Ireland Open Classic, County Mayo, Rep. Ireland, 9 September: Denis Ovens 3-0 Colin Osborne
- Windy City Open, Chicago, 16 September: Ronnie Baxter 3-1 James Wade
- Newport, Wales, 22 September: Raymond van Barneveld 3-0 Alex Roy
- Dublin, 6 October: Phil Taylor 3-0 James Wade
- Irvine, 20 October: Andy Smith 3-0 James Wade
- German Darts Trophy, 27 October: Wayne Mardle 3-1 James Wade
- John McEvoy Gold Dart Classic, Killarney, 4 November: Jelle Klaasen 3-2 Vincent van der Voort
- Lisse, Netherlands, 10 November: Phil Taylor 3-0 Chris Mason
- Lisse, Netherlands, 11 November: Phil Taylor 3-2 Raymond van Barneveld
2008 Players Championship results
- for expanded results see 2008 PDC Pro Tour2008 PDC Pro TourThe 2008 PDC Pro Tour was a series of non-televised darts tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . They consisted of Professional Dart Players Association Players Championships and UK Open Regional Finals.-Prize money:...
- Gibraltar, 19 January: John Part 3-1 Chris Mason
- Gibraltar, 20 January: James Wade 3-1 Denis Ovens
- South, 1 March: Phil Taylor 3-0 James Wade
- North-West, 15 March: Alan Tabern 3-0 Chris Mason
- Germany, 22 March: Phil Taylor 3-1 Raymond van Barneveld
- Germany, 23 March: Phil Taylor 3-1 Wayne Jones
- Midlands, 29 March: Phil Taylor 3-0 Colin Lloyd
- Antwerp Darts Trophy, 12 April: Phil Taylor 3-0 Andy Smith
- Scotland, 19 April: Mervyn King 3-0 Mark Dudbridge
- Open Holland Masters, 26 April: Raymond van Barneveld 3-0 Colin Osborne
- Thialf Darts Trophy, Heerenveen, 1 June: cancelled
- Bristol (replaces Hayling Island), 14 June: Phil Taylor 3-0 Alan Tabern
- Bristol (replaces Hayling Island), 15 June: Dennis Priestley 3-2 Kevin Painter
- Las Vegas, 29 June: Phil Taylor 3-1 Ronnie Baxter
- Bobby Bourn Memorial Trophy, Blackpool, 19 July: Phil Taylor 3-0 Ronnie Baxter
- Australia Open, Shoalhaven, 10 August: Robert Thornton 3-1 Paul Nicholson
- Kitchener Open, Canada, 17 August: Dennis Priestley 3-1 Lionel Sams
- Peachtree Open, Atlanta, 24 August: Alan Tabern 3-1 Andy Hamilton
- Veldhoven, Netherlands, 30 August: Phil Taylor 3-1 James Wade
- Veldhoven, Netherlands, 31 August: Phil Taylor 3-0 Terry Jenkins
- Ireland Open Classic, 7 September: Felix McBrearty 3-1 Chris Mason
- Windy City Open, 14 September: Colin Lloyd 3-2 Wayne Mardle
- Newport, Wales, 20 September: Ronnie Baxter 3-0 Jamie Caven
- Newport, Wales, 21 September: Alan Tabern 3-2 Colin Osborne
- Dublin, 4 October: Phil Taylor 3-2 James Wade
- Dublin, 5 October: Dennis Priestley 3-1 Raymond van Barneveld
- Scotland, 18 October: Alex Roy 3-2 Denis Ovens
- Scotland, 19 October: James Wade 3-1 Mark Walsh
- Dinslaken, Germany, 25 October: Colin Osborne 3-2 Carlos Rodriguez
- Killarney Pro Tour, 2 November: Terry Jenkins 3-0 Andy Jenkins
- Holland, 8 November: Mervyn King 3-2 Raymond van Barneveld
- Holland, 9 November: James Wade 3-2 Mark Walsh
2009 Players Championship results
- for expanded results see 2009 PDC Pro Tour2009 PDC Pro TourThe 2009 PDC Pro Tour was a series of non-televised darts tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . They consisted of Professional Dart Players Association Players Championships and UK Open Regional Finals.-Prize money:...
- Bobby Bourn Memorial TrophyBobby Bourne Memorial Players ChampionshipThe Bobby Bourn Memorial Players Championship is a darts tournament staged by the Professional Darts Corporation. It originally took place as a warm up to the Stan James World Matchplay in Blackpool every July. However, in 2009, the tournament moved to a new date in January and a new venue at the...
, 10 January: Terry Jenkins 6-3 Mark Dudbridge - Gibraltar, 17 January: Phil Taylor 6-2 Alan Tabern
- Gibraltar, 18 January: Phil Taylor 6-1 Mark Dudbridge
- Germany, 28 February: Phil Taylor 6-0 Adrian Lewis
- Germany, 1 March: Phil Taylor 6-1 Adrian Lewis
- Scotland, 7 March: Robert Thornton 6-5 Dennis Priestley
- North-West, 14 March: Dennis Priestley 6-1 Colin Lloyd
- South, 21 March: Phil Taylor 6-2 Ronnie Baxter
- Midlands, 28 March: Mark Walsh 6-4 Phil Taylor
- Nuland, 4 April: Phil Taylor 6-5 Gary Anderson
- Nuland, 5 April: Phil Taylor 6-2 Gary Anderson
- South-West, 11 April: Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Vincent van der Voort
- East-Midlands, 18 April: James Wade 6-4 Colin Lloyd
- Wales, 9 May: Gary Anderson 6-2 Mervyn King
- Barnsley, 13 June: Mark Walsh 6-4 Jamie Caven
- Barnsley, 14 June: Colin Osborne 6-2 Gary Anderson
- Dinslaken, 20 June: Andy Smith 6-5 Colin Lloyd
- Dinslaken, 21 June: Mark Walsh 6-5 Andy Hamilton
- Las Vegas, 30 June: Ronnie Baxter 6-2 Phil Taylor
- Australia, 8 August: Paul Nicholson 6-1 Robert Thornton
- Canada, 16 August: Dennis Priestley 6-4 Wes Newton
- Austria, 5 September: Adrian Lewis 6-4 Carlos Rodriguez
- Austria, 6 September: Jamie Caven 6-2 Steve Beaton
- Ireland, 3 October: Adrian Lewis 6-4 Andy Hamilton
- Ireland, 4 October: Phil Taylor 6-1 Wes Newton
- Killarney Pro Tour, 18 October: Phil Taylor 6-0 Paul Nicholson
- Nuland, 24 October: Steve Beaton 6-1 Wes Newton
- Nuland, 25 October: James Wade 6-2 Brendan Dolan
- Scotland, 7 November: Wes Newton 6-5 Steve Beaton
- Scotland, 8 November: Colin Osborne 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
- Bobby Bourn Memorial Trophy
2010 Players Championship results
- for expanded results see 2010 PDC Pro Tour2010 PDC Pro TourThe 2010 PDC Pro Tour was a series of non-televised darts tournaments organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . They were Professional Dart Players Association Players Championships and UK Open Qualifiers...
- Gibraltar, 6 February: Colin Lloyd 6-2 Wayne Jones
- Gibraltar, 7 February: Denis Ovens 6-5 Gary Anderson
- Swindon, 20 February: Mervyn King 6-3 Andy Hamilton
- Derby, 27 February: Phil Taylor 6-1 Terry Jenkins
- Gladbeck, Germany, 6 March: Vincent van der Voort 6-2 Wayne Jones
- Gladbeck, Germany, 7 March: Adrian Lewis 6-4 Mark Walsh
- Wigan, 13 March: Phil Taylor 6-0 Mark Dudbridge
- Crawley, 20 March: Barrie Bates 6-5 Denis Ovens
- Barnsley, 10 April: Simon Whitlock 6-4 Gary Anderson
- Derby, 17 April: Simon Whitlock 6-4 Colin Lloyd
- Wigan, 24 April: Wes Newton 6-2 Andy Smith
- Wigan, 8 May: Simon Whitlock 6-0 Andy Hamilton
- Salzburg, Austria, 15 May: Simon Whitlock 6-4 Steve Beaton
- Salzburg, Austria, 16 May: Phil Taylor 6-4 Simon Whitlock
- Barnsley, 12 June: Gary Anderson 6-1 Mark Walsh
- Barnsley, 13 June: Ronnie Baxter 6-5 Denis Ovens
- Haarlem, Netherlands, 19 June: Vincent van der Voort 6-5 Wayne Jones
- Haarlem, Netherlands, 20 June: Andy Smith 6-4 Alan Tabern
- Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 27 June: Phil Taylor 6-3 Denis Ovens
- Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 28 June: Gary Anderson 6-4 Simon Whitlock
- Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 29 June: Co Stompé 6-3 James Wade
- Revesby, Australia, 22 August: Dennis Priestley 6-3 Mark Hylton
- Ontario, Canada, 28 August: Jamie Caven 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
- Ontario, Canada, 29 August: Colin Lloyd 6-1 Jamie Caven
- Crawley, 4 September: Adrian Lewis 6-4 Steve Farmer
- Crawley, 5 September: Colin Lloyd 6-4 Simon Whitlock
- Nuland, Netherlands, 18 September: James Wade 6-4 Terry Jenkins
- Nuland, Netherlands, 19 September: Steve Farmer 6-4 Kevin Painter
- Ireland, 2 October: Simon Whitlock 6-1 Dennis Priestley
- Ireland, 3 October: Jamie Caven 6-5 Ronnie Baxter
- Killarney Pro Tour, 17 October: Gary Anderson 6-1 Denis Smith
- Bad Nauheim, Germany, 23 October: Mark Webster 6-4 Richie Burnett
- Bad Nauheim, Germany, 24 October: Simon Whitlock 6-4 Richie Burnett
- Barnsley, 6 November: Wes Newton 6-3 Colin Lloyd
- Barnsley, 7 November: Wes Newton 6-1 Mark Webster
- Derby, 27 November: Phil Taylor 6-3 Mark Walsh
- Derby, 28 November: Mark Walsh 6-4 Phil Taylor
2011
1. Jan 29th Gerry Weber Centre, HalleMervyn King 6–1 Vincent van der Voort
- Dave Chisnall hits 9 darter
2.Jan 30th Gerry Weber Centre, Halle
Ronnie Baxter 6–4 Antonio Alcinas
3.Feb 19th Moorways Centre, Derby
Jamie Caven 6–2 Adrian Lewis
John Henderson hits 9 Darter
4.Feb 20th Moorways Centre, Derby
John Part 6-0 Mark Walsh
5.Mar 26th K2 Centre, Crawley
Paul Nicholson 6–4 Adrian Lewis
6.Mar 27th K2 Centre, Crawley
Wes Newton 6–4 Paul Nicholson
7.May 14th Wiener Neustadt, Vienna
John Part 6–0 Denis Ovens
8.May 15th Wiener Neustadt, Vienna
Vincent van der Voort 6–5 Phil Taylor
9.May 21st K2 Centre, Crawley
Gary Anderson 6–3 Terry Jenkins
10.May 22nd K2 Centre, Crawley
Paul Nicholson 6–3 Terry Jenkins
11.June 11th Metrodome, Barnsley
Paul Nicholson 6–4 Steve Brown
12.June 12th Metrodome, Barnsley
Andy Smith 6–2 Dave Chisnall
- Simon Whitlock hits 9 darter
13.June 18th Nuland, Netherlands
Gary Anderson 6–5 Wes Newton
- Simon Whitlock hits 9 darter
14.June 19th Nuland, Netherlands
Gary Anderson 6–3 Andy Smith
- Justin Pipe hits 9 darter
15.Aug 27th Ontario, Canada
John Part 6–4 Wes Newton
16.Aug 28th Ontario, Canada
Ronnie Baxter 6–2 Kevin Painter
17.Sept 3rd Moorways Centre, Derby
Raymond van Barneveld 6–2 John Part
18.Sept 4th Moorways Centre, Derby
Gary Anderson 6–2 Peter Wright
19.Sept 24th Nuland, Netherlands
Gary Anderson 6–2 Colin Lloyd
20.Sept 25th Nuland, Netherlands
Richie Burnett 6–4 Dave Chisnall
21.Oct 1st New Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin
Phil Taylor 6–3 Michael van Gerwen
22.Oct 2nd New Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin
Justin Pipe 6–5 Phil Taylor
- Phil Taylor hits 9 darter
- Raymond van Barneveld hits 9 darter
23.Oct 16th National Event Centre, Killarney
Justin Pipe 6–5 Gary Anderson
UK Open Regional Finals/Qualifiers
The UK Open is a major tournament which takes place at Bolton's Reebok StadiumReebok Stadium
The Reebok Stadium is the home stadium of English Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers, and is located on the Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. It is commonly known as 'The Reebok'...
each year in June. Prior to the televised event, there are eight Regional Open Finals stages (name changed to UK Open Qualifiers in 2010), where the prize money won is collated into a UK Open Order of Merit table which determines 128 qualifiers for the UK Open finals in Bolton.
The tournaments are organised in a similar fashion to the Players Championships in that 32 boards are in operation for a non-televised "floor tournament", completed inside one day. During the 2007-08 UK Open, sponsors Blue Square
Blue square
Blue square may refer to:*a gambling company owned by The Rank Group*a rating for ski trails* Blue Square - Israel, an Israeli company operating multiple supermarket chains....
had streamed live coverage of these Regional Finals on the internet.
Prize money
Prize money was identical to the Player's Championship prize fund until the 2007-08 UK Open when there was increase from £19,600 to £25,000 for each of the eight finals. Prize money for the 2010 qualifiers has increased to £31,200 for each of the eight finals.- Winner £6,000
- Runner-up £3,000
- Semi-finalists £1,500
- Quarter-finalists £1,000
- Last 16 £500
- Last 32 £200
- Last 64 £100
Player eligibility
For the 2010 season, a player must compete in at least three Qualifiers before being able to qualify for the televised stages. Until 2007-08, the tournaments were open to all darts players, which meant that players from both darts organisations, the PDC and the BDOBritish Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
were able to compete. They are now restricted to PDPA members only.
For the 2011 season, a player must only compete in two Qualifiers before being able to qualify for the televised stages.
2002-2003 UK Open Regional Finals
- 21 July 2002 (Wales) Phil Taylor beat Roland Scholten
- October (Ireland) Phil Taylor
- November (Scotland) Peter Manley beat Roland Scholten
- 1 December (Laurel UK Open) Andy Jenkins beat Colin Lloyd
- 12 January 2003 (North East) Peter Manley beat Phil Taylor
- February (South West) John Part
- 23 March (North West) Mark Dudbridge 2-0 Bob Anderson
- 13 April (Midlands) Peter Manley 2-0 Roland Scholten
2003-2004 UK Open Regional Finals
- 19 October 2003 (All Ireland) Ronnie Baxter beat Dennis Smith
- 9 November (Wales) Peter Manley beat Darren Webster
- 30 November (South) Phil Taylor beat Peter Manley
- 11 January 2004 (North East) Alan Caves beat Dennis Priestley
- 24 January (Scotland) Steve Maish beat Steve Parsons
- 15 February (South-West) Kevin Painter 2-0 Roland Scholten
- 21 March (North-West) Mark Robinson beat Mark Dudbridge
- 4 April (Midlands) Wayne Mardle beat Andy Jenkins
2004-2005 UK Open Regional Finals
- 26 September 2004 (Wales) Phil Taylor 2-0 Tommy Wilson
- 17 October (All-Ireland) Phil Taylor 2-0 Mark Walsh
- 19 November (Scotland) Andy Smith 2-1 Gary Anderson
- 19 January 2005 (North East) Steve Hine 2-0 Bob Anderson
- 6 February 2005 (South West) Andy Smith 2-0 Andy Jenkins
- 6 March (South) Denis Ovens 2-1 Mark Dudbridge
- March (North West) Alex Roy 2-1 Ronnie Baxter
- 9 April (Midlands) Jimmy Mann 2-0 Mark Walsh
2005-2006 UK Open Regional Finals
- 25 September 2005 (Wales) Mark Walsh 2-1 Phil Taylor
- 23 October (Ireland) Colin Lloyd 2-1 Andy Smith
- 6 November (Scotland) Adrian Lewis 2-0 Colin Lloyd
- 8 January 2006 (North-East) Kevin Painter 2-0 Colin Lloyd
- 12 February (South-West) Mark Dudbridge 2-0 Dennis Priestley
- 5 March (South) Chris Mason 2-1 Barrie Bates
- 19 March (North-West) Alan Tabern 2-1 Steve Maish
- 9 April (Midlands) Raymond van Barneveld 2-0 Ronnie Baxter
2006-2007 UK Open Regional Finals
- 24 September 2006 (Wales) Phil Taylor 2-1 Adrian Lewis
- 22 October (Ireland) Raymond van Barneveld 2-1 Colin Lloyd
- 5 November (Scotland) Raymond van Barneveld 2-0 Barrie Bates
- 6 January 2007 (North-East) Raymond van Barneveld 2-0 Roland Scholten
- 11 February (South-West) Dennis Priesley 2-0 James Wade
- 4 March (South) Phil Taylor 2-0 Wayne Mardle
- 18 March (North-West) James Wade 2-0 Terry Jenkins
- 1 April (Midlands) Andy Hamilton 2-0 James Wade
2007-2008 UK Open Regional Finals
semi-finals and finals reverted from sets to matchplay- 23 September 2007 (Wales): James Wade 8-7 Raymond van Barneveld
- 7 October (Ireland): Raymond van Barneveld 8-2 Kevin McDine
- 21 October (Scotland): James Wade 8-2 Ronnie Baxter
- 13 January 2008 (North East): Colin Osborne 8-6 Denis Ovens
- 10 February South-West: Colin Lloyd 8-6 Andy Hamilton
- 2 March, South: Colin Lloyd 8-6 Phil Taylor
- 16 March, North-West: Phil Taylor 8-7 Adrian Lewis
- 30 March, Midlands: Phil Taylor 8-0 Brendan Dolan
2009 UK Open Regional Finals
- 11 January 2009 (North East): Colin Lloyd 6-1 Colin Osborne
- 8 March 2009 (Scotland): Robert Thornton 6-2 Dennis Priestley
- 15 March 2009 (North West): James Wade 6-3 Kevin McDine
- 22 March 2009 (South): Phil Taylor 6-4 Terry Jenkins
- 29 March 2009 (Midlands): Phil Taylor 6-5 Wayne Jones
- 12 April 2009 (South-West): Phil Taylor 6-0 Andy Hamilton
- 19 April 2009 (East-Midlands): Mark Walsh 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
- 10 May 2009 (Wales): Jamie Caven 6-5 Alan Tabern
2010 UK Open Qualifiers
- Qualifier 12010 UK Open Qualifier 1The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 1 was the first of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon on Sunday February 21.-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Swindon, 21 February): Mervyn King 6-1 Simon Whitlock - Qualifier 22010 UK Open Qualifier 2The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 2 was the second of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the Moorways Centre in Derby on Sunday February 28.-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Derby, 8 February): Mark Walsh 6-2 Phil Taylor - Qualifier 32010 UK Open Qualifier 3The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 3 was the third of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Sunday March 14.-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Wigan, 14 March): Phil Taylor 6-0 Jamie Caven - Qualifier 42010 UK Open Qualifier 4The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 4 was the fourth of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the K2 Centre in Crawley on Sunday March 21-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Crawley, 21 March): Gary Anderson 6-5 Wesley Newton - Qualifier 52010 UK Open Qualifier 5The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 5 was the fifth of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the Barnsley Metrodome on Sunday April 11.-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Barnsley, 11 April): Mark Walsh 6-3 John Part - Qualifier 62010 UK Open Qualifier 6The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 6 was the sixth of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the Moorways Centre in Derby on Sunday April 18.-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Derby, 18 April): Phil Taylor 6-2 Peter Wright - Qualifier 72010 UK Open Qualifier 7The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 7 was the seventh of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Sunday April 25.-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Wigan, 25 April): Colin Lloyd 6-3 Colin Osborne - Qualifier 82010 UK Open Qualifier 8The 2010 UK Open Qualifier 8 was the last of eight 2010 UK Open Darts Qualifiers which was held at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan on Sunday May 9.-Prize Money :-Draw:...
(Wigan, 9 May): James Wade 6-2 Gary Anderson
2011 UK Open Qualifiers
26 February 2011 (Barnsley) Steve Brown 6-3 Ian White27 February 2011 (Barnsley) Michael Smith 6-5 Dave Chisnall
12 March 2011 (Wigan) Adrian Lewis 6-4 Robert Thornton
13 March 2011 (Wigan) Vincent van der Voort 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld
16 April 2011 (Barnsley) Gary Anderson 6-4 Phil Taylor Wayne Atwood and Dennis Priestley hit nine-dart finishes.
17 April 2011 (Barnsley) Phil Taylor 6-1 Joe Cullen