British Darts Organisation (BDO): history, structure and role in darts

Structure and activities

The BDO connected a network of county associations — historically numbering 66 member counties — and coordinated county matches, regional leagues and player rankings. It served both grassroots and higher-level play, overseeing rules, eligibility and a calendar of events. The organisation arranged open and invitation-only events, and its calendar included youth, ladies', senior and senior veterans' fixtures to serve different player groups.

Key competitions and functions

Among its best-known responsibilities was organising national and international events. The BDO established and ran the World Professional Darts Championship, first held in 1978, which became one of the sport's most prominent tournaments. In addition to that world championship, the BDO ran a variety of other cups, national finals and county competitions. It provided a pathway for players to move from county and amateur ranks into recognised professional competition and maintained ranking lists used to seed events.

History and development

Olly Croft founded the organisation in January 1973 to bring coherence to the rapidly growing sport of darts. As televised darts and organised competitions expanded in the 1970s and 1980s, the BDO grew in prominence. It was a founding member of the World Darts Federation and helped establish international standards and relationships among national bodies. In the early 1990s a separate professional circuit emerged, which led to divided governance in elite professional darts, while the BDO continued to focus on its own championships and county structures.

Importance, legacy and distinctions

The BDO played a central role in nurturing talent and providing competitive opportunities across Britain. Its county system and tournament network were important for player development and local engagement. A notable distinction is the existence of parallel professional organisations: the BDO historically staged its own world championship and events, while other organisations organised separate professional tours and championships. The BDO's contributions include the creation of major events, setting formal competition rules and promoting darts as an organised sport.

Where to find more

• Information on rules, county listings and event calendars was traditionally available through the organisation's official channels and member counties.
• Details about specific tournaments and entry criteria for amateurs and professionals could be found in event handbooks and national guides.

While the BDO's role evolved as the sport changed, its historical role in organising competitions, forming county networks and contributing to international governance remains a significant part of modern darts history.