🛡️
Fact-Checked & Verified (2026-10-03)
Information independently cross-referenced with PDC regulatory releases, Alexandra Palace venue policies, and official broadcast contracts for PDC World Darts Championship Official Finals Archives.

PDC Finals Record Book

33 Finals Staged (1994–2026)
110.94 Record Final Avg (Taylor 2009)
4 Sudden-Death Final Legs
3 Clean-Sweep Whitewashes

Complete PDC World Championship Finals Archive

Every final is contested over the best-of-13 sets format (first to 7 sets), with early tournaments played over best-of-11 sets (first to 6 sets, 1994–1999). Three-dart averages represent official electronic match averages.

Season (Final) Champion Score Runner-Up Winner Avg R-Up Avg Venue
2026/27 (2027 Final) TBD (Upcoming Tournament: 11 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027) TBD (Best of 13 sets) TBD — — Alexandra Palace
2025/26 (2026 Final) 🏆 Luke Littler 7 – 1 Gian van Veen 104.82 96.44 Alexandra Palace
2024/25 (2025 Final) 🏆 Luke Littler 7 – 3 Michael van Gerwen 102.76 99.88 Alexandra Palace
2023/24 (2024 Final) 🏆 Luke Humphries 7 – 4 Luke Littler 103.67 101.13 Alexandra Palace
2022/23 (2023 Final) 🏆 Michael Smith 7 – 4 Michael van Gerwen 99.24 99.58 Alexandra Palace
2021/22 (2022 Final) 🏆 Peter Wright 7 – 5 Michael Smith 98.34 99.22 Alexandra Palace
2020/21 (2021 Final) 🏆 Gerwyn Price 7 – 3 Gary Anderson 100.08 94.25 Alexandra Palace
2019/20 (2020 Final) 🏆 Peter Wright 7 – 3 Michael van Gerwen 102.79 102.88 Alexandra Palace
2018/19 (2019 Final) 🏆 Michael van Gerwen 7 – 3 Michael Smith 102.21 95.29 Alexandra Palace
2017/18 (2018 Final) 🏆 Rob Cross 7 – 2 Phil Taylor 107.67 102.26 Alexandra Palace
2016/17 (2017 Final) 🏆 Michael van Gerwen 7 – 3 Gary Anderson 107.79 104.93 Alexandra Palace
2015/16 (2016 Final) 🏆 Gary Anderson 7 – 5 Adrian Lewis 100.61 100.23 Alexandra Palace
2014/15 (2015 Final) 🏆 Gary Anderson 7 – 6 Phil Taylor 102.52 100.69 Alexandra Palace
2013/14 (2014 Final) 🏆 Michael van Gerwen 7 – 4 Peter Wright 100.10 95.71 Alexandra Palace
2012/13 (2013 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 4 Michael van Gerwen 103.04 100.66 Alexandra Palace
2011/12 (2012 Final) 🏆 Adrian Lewis 7 – 3 Andy Hamilton 93.06 90.83 Alexandra Palace
2010/11 (2011 Final) 🏆 Adrian Lewis 7 – 5 Gary Anderson 99.40 99.41 Alexandra Palace
2009/10 (2010 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 3 Simon Whitlock 104.38 100.51 Alexandra Palace
2008/09 (2009 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 1 Raymond van Barneveld 110.94 101.18 Alexandra Palace
2007/08 (2008 Final) 🏆 John Part 7 – 2 Kirk Shepherd 92.86 85.10 Alexandra Palace
2006/07 (2007 Final) 🏆 Raymond van Barneveld 7 – 6 Phil Taylor 100.93 100.86 Circus Tavern
2005/06 (2006 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 0 Peter Manley 106.74 91.72 Circus Tavern
2004/05 (2005 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 4 Mark Dudbridge 96.14 90.66 Circus Tavern
2003/04 (2004 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 6 Kevin Painter 96.03 90.48 Circus Tavern
2002/03 (2003 Final) 🏆 John Part 7 – 6 Phil Taylor 96.87 99.98 Circus Tavern
2001/02 (2002 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 0 Peter Manley 98.47 91.35 Circus Tavern
2000/01 (2001 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 0 John Part 107.46 92.58 Circus Tavern
1999/00 (2000 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 7 – 3 Dennis Priestley 94.42 91.80 Circus Tavern
1998/99 (1999 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 6 – 2 Peter Manley 97.11 93.63 Circus Tavern
1997/98 (1998 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 6 – 0 Dennis Priestley 103.98 90.75 Circus Tavern
1996/97 (1997 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 6 – 3 Dennis Priestley 100.92 96.78 Circus Tavern
1995/96 (1996 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 6 – 4 Dennis Priestley 98.52 101.49 Circus Tavern
1994/95 (1995 Final) 🏆 Phil Taylor 6 – 2 Rod Harrington 94.11 87.15 Circus Tavern
1993/94 (1994 Final) 🏆 Dennis Priestley 6 – 1 Phil Taylor 94.05 90.62 Circus Tavern

* Note: 1994–1999 finals were contested as best-of-11 sets (first to 6 sets). From the 2000 tournament onwards, finals are contested as best-of-13 sets (first to 7 sets). Learn more about the Sets and Legs match format.

Most Iconic Finals in Championship History

2007

Raymond van Barneveld 7 – 6 Phil Taylor (Circus Tavern)

Universally regarded by purists as the greatest match ever broadcast. Having crossed over from the BDO, five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld confronted 13-time champion Phil Taylor in the final tournament at Essex's Circus Tavern. Taylor surged to a 3-0 set lead, Barney mounted an astonishing fightback, and the contest stretched to 5-5 in legs in the 13th deciding set. Under the sudden-death rule, Barney won the bull-off, held throw, and hit double 20 to clinch the title in immortal fashion.

2023

Michael Smith 7 – 4 Michael van Gerwen (Alexandra Palace)

A contest forever etched into sporting folklore by "The Greatest Leg of Darts in History." In the second set, Van Gerwen wired double 12 for a nine-dart finish; seconds later, Michael Smith stepped up and nailed treble 20, treble 19, and double 12 to complete his own nine-darter, triggering commentary bedlam from Wayne Mardle ("I can't spake!"). Smith went on to average 99.24, hitting 22 maximums to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy and claim World No. 1.

2024

Luke Humphries 7 – 4 Luke Littler (Alexandra Palace)

The most-watched darts event in British broadcasting history. World No. 1 Luke Humphries squared off against 16-year-old debut sensation Luke Littler. Littler stormed to a 4-2 lead in sets, looking primed to become the youngest world champion in history. Humphries staged a masterclass in composure, winning five consecutive sets with a 103.67 average and 23 maximums to claim his maiden world title.

2018

Rob Cross 7 – 2 Phil Taylor (Alexandra Palace)

A passing-of-the-torch spectacle. Phil "The Power" Taylor competed in his 21st and final World Championship decider, bidding for a 17th world title. Debutant Rob Cross—an electrician playing his first year on the professional PDC tour—delivered one of the finest finals performances in history, averaging 107.67 to win 7-2 and crown a fairytale rookie season.

2017

Michael van Gerwen 7 – 3 Gary Anderson (Alexandra Palace)

The pinnacle of sustained scoring firepower. Across 10 breathless sets, Van Gerwen (107.79 avg) and reigning champion Anderson (104.93 avg) combined for 42 maximum 180s—an all-time record for a World Championship final. Anderson hit 22 maximums and MVG hit 20 in a match that set new standards for elite stage precision.

Top 5 Highest Winning Final Averages

Rank Player Year Opponent Final Average Result
1 Phil Taylor 2009 Raymond van Barneveld 110.94 Won 7–1
2 Michael van Gerwen 2017 Gary Anderson 107.79 Won 7–3
3 Rob Cross 2018 Phil Taylor 107.67 Won 7–2
4 Phil Taylor 2001 John Part 107.46 Won 7–0
5 Phil Taylor 2006 Peter Manley 106.74 Won 7–0

Learn how averages are measured and why scoring pace interacts with double conversion in our 3-Dart Average Guide.

Venue Breakdown: Circus Tavern vs Alexandra Palace

Circus Tavern, Purfleet (1994–2007)

  • Finals Staged: 14
  • Champions Crowned: Phil Taylor (11), John Part (1), Dennis Priestley (1), Raymond van Barneveld (1)
  • Atmosphere: Low-ceilinged, intimate 800-seat cabaret hall, legendary walk-ons down narrow aisles.
  • Final Match: Barney 7–6 Taylor (1 Jan 2007)

Alexandra Palace, London (2007/08–Present)

  • Finals Staged: 19 (through January 2026)
  • Champions Crowned: Phil Taylor (3), MVG (3), Gary Anderson (2), Peter Wright (2), Adrian Lewis (2), Luke Littler (2), John Part (1), Rob Cross (1), Gerwyn Price (1), Michael Smith (1), Luke Humphries (1)
  • Atmosphere: Event-specific seated arena (expanded to 5,000+ fans per session for 2026/27, within a 10,250-capacity concert hall), global festival atmosphere, and passionate international fan contingents.
  • Inaugural Ally Pally Final: John Part 7–2 Kirk Shepherd (1 January 2008, concluding 2007/08 championship)

Read the full architectural and cultural story in our Alexandra Palace Darts History Guide.

Related Historical & Tournament Guides