What Is 2002 PDC World Darts Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2002 PDC World Darts Championship was held from December 28, 2001, to January 5, 2002, at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, England. Phil Taylor won his eighth consecutive PDC world title by defeating Peter Manley 7–0 in the final.

Key Facts

The 2002 PDC World Darts Championship ran from December 28, 2001, to January 5, 2002
It was held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, England
Phil Taylor won the title by defeating Peter Manley 7–0 in the final
This marked Taylor’s eighth consecutive PDC world championship victory
The tournament featured 32 players competing in a single-elimination format

Overview

The 2002 PDC World Darts Championship was a landmark event in professional darts, marking the ninth edition of the Professional Darts Corporation's premier tournament. Held during the traditional holiday period, it attracted top players from around the world competing for the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.

The tournament solidified Phil Taylor’s dominance in the sport, as he continued his unparalleled run of success. Below are key details about the structure, participants, and outcomes of the 2002 championship.

Event Dates: The championship began on December 28, 2001, and concluded with the final on January 5, 2002, spanning nine days of intense competition.
Location: All matches were held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, a venue that hosted the PDC World Championship from 1994 to 2007.
Format: The tournament featured a 32-player single-elimination bracket, with matches played in sets using the best-of format that increased with each round.
Final Result: Phil Taylor defeated Peter Manley 7–0 in sets, delivering one of the most dominant performances in World Championship final history.
Prize Money: The total prize fund was £100,000, with the winner receiving £25,000, a significant sum for darts at the time.

How It Works

The PDC World Darts Championship follows a structured format designed to test skill, consistency, and mental toughness under pressure. Each stage of the tournament builds in intensity, culminating in a high-stakes final.

Qualification: Players earned spots through the PDC Order of Merit, regional qualifiers, and invitations, ensuring a mix of top-ranked and emerging talent.
Match Structure: Early rounds used best-of-9 sets, quarterfinals best-of-11, semifinals best-of-13, and the final best-of-13 sets, each set played to three legs.
Scoring System: Each leg requires players to reduce a starting score of 501 to zero, ending with a double finish, with the first to win a set by two clear legs.
Seeding: The top 16 players were seeded based on rankings, preventing early matchups between top contenders and preserving competitive balance.
Television Coverage: Sky Sports broadcast the event live, significantly increasing the sport’s visibility and contributing to darts' growing popularity in the UK.
Referees and Officials: Matches were overseen by certified referees who enforced rules, managed player conduct, and verified scoring accuracy during high-pressure moments.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key aspects across recent PDC World Championships highlights the evolution of the event, particularly in prize money and viewership.

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Final Score	Prize (Winner)
1999	Phil Taylor	Raymond van Barneveld	6–2	£22,000
2000	Phil Taylor	Chris Mason	7–3	£24,000
2001	Phil Taylor	John Part	7–0	£25,000
2002	Phil Taylor	Peter Manley	7–0	£25,000
2003	John Part	Phil Taylor	7–6	£30,000

This table illustrates Taylor’s dominance from 1999 to 2002, winning four consecutive titles with increasing margin. The prize money remained stable at £25,000 for winners during this period before increasing in 2003, reflecting the sport's growing commercial appeal.

Why It Matters

The 2002 PDC World Darts Championship is significant for both historical and cultural reasons within the sport. It marked the peak of Phil Taylor’s dominance and helped elevate darts into mainstream entertainment.

Historic Dominance: Taylor’s 7–0 victory over Manley remains one of the most one-sided finals, showcasing his unmatched consistency and mental strength.
Legacy of the Circus Tavern: The venue became iconic in darts history, hosting nine consecutive championships and fostering a unique, intimate atmosphere for fans.
Media Exposure: Sky Sports’ coverage brought darts into millions of homes, contributing to a resurgence in popularity during the early 2000s.
Inspiration for Players: Taylor’s success inspired a new generation of professionals, including future champions like James Wade and Gary Anderson.
Global Expansion: The PDC’s format attracted international talent, paving the way for players from the Netherlands, Australia, and North America to enter the sport.
Commercial Growth: Increased sponsorship and prize money following 2002 signaled darts’ transition from pub pastime to professional sport with global reach.