The British Darts Organisation (BDO) no longer exists under that name; it went into liquidation in September 2020. Therefore, it is not "called" something new, but rather its role in the darts world has largely been filled by other organisations.
The Demise of the BDO
Founded in 1973 by Olly Croft, the BDO was once the premier darts organisation, governing amateur darts and promoting professional tournaments, most notably the BDO World Darts Championship. However, the organisation faced significant financial difficulties and declining prominence over its later years.
Key Events Leading to its End:
- Early 1990s Split: A major turning point occurred in the early '90s when many of the game's top players, seeking greater prize money and professional opportunities, split from the BDO. This led to the formation of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), which established its own hugely successful tour and world championship. This split significantly diminished the BDO's status in professional darts.
- Financial Struggles: Despite its long history, the BDO accumulated substantial debts, culminating in its insolvency and subsequent liquidation in 2020.
Successors and the Current Darts Landscape
While the BDO itself is gone, elements of its legacy and the structure of amateur darts have been absorbed or influenced by other bodies.
- World Darts Federation (WDF): The WDF, which is the global governing body for darts, has taken on a more prominent role following the BDO's collapse. It now sanctions its own World Darts Championship, which serves as a successor to the BDO's flagship event, providing a pathway for amateur and semi-professional players.
- County Darts: The county darts system in the UK, which was historically run under the BDO's umbrella, continues to operate independently under various regional organisations, many of which are affiliated with the WDF.
The darts world is now primarily dominated by two major entities:
| Organisation | Primary Focus | Notable Events | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) | Top-tier professional darts, high prize money, global tours. | PDC World Darts Championship, Premier League Darts | Dominant |
| World Darts Federation (WDF) | Global governing body, amateur and semi-professional pathways, international tournaments. | WDF World Darts Championship | Governing Body |
| British Darts Organisation (BDO) | Historically, professional and amateur darts in the UK. | BDO World Darts Championship | Liquidated (2020) |
In essence, the BDO is not "called" something now because it ceased to exist as an operating entity. Its former functions are now distributed among various organisations, with the WDF filling the void in amateur and semi-professional circuits, and the PDC continuing its reign over the professional game.
