The British Open Darts Championship stands as a cornerstone in the world of professional darts, an iconic and continuously evolving event that has shaped the sport. Since its inception for men in 1975 and women in 1979, this prestigious tournament has crowned legends and newcomers alike, cementing its place as a fully affiliated WDF ranking event. From its televised ‘golden age’ to its modern-day spectacles, the British Open has consistently showcased the sport’s greatest talents, including recent champions like teenage sensation Luke Littler (who claimed the title in 2023) and reigning women’s star Beau Greaves (2024), alongside experienced winners such as Natalie Gilbert and Graham Usher (both 2026).
A Legacy Forged in Darts
The British Open has been an instrumental force in the evolution of darts. Kicking off in 1975 for men, it quickly established itself as a premier event, with the women’s competition following just four years later in 1979. This commitment to both men’s and women’s darts from early on highlights the tournament’s progressive nature and its lasting impact on the sport.
The Golden Age of Darts and Media Spotlight
During darts’ first ‘golden age,’ the British Open captured national attention. It was prominently televised on ITV and enjoyed significant sponsorship from furniture giant MFI, bringing the thrilling action directly into homes across the UK. This period was marked by legendary rivalries and unforgettable matches. Imagine the drama of a final between two titans like John Lowe and Eric Bristow – these were the moments that captivated audiences and propelled darts into the mainstream, creating a legacy of excitement that endures today.
The Champions’ Roll Call: A Who’s Who of Darts
The list of British Open winners reads like a Hall of Fame for darts. Almost every major name in BDO/WDF darts history has graced the winners’ circle, demonstrating the tournament’s consistent ability to attract and identify top talent. From the very first men’s champion, Alan Evans, known as ‘The Rhonda Legend,’ to the meteoric rise of Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, who claimed the crown in 2023, the lineage of champions is a testament to the event’s enduring prestige.
The women’s side mirrors this illustrious history, featuring a direct line of champions from Judy Campbell, the inaugural winner, through to modern stars like Beau Greaves, who triumphed in 2024. Along the way, icons such as Maureen Flowers, Lisa Ashton, and the dominant Trina Gulliver have all etched their names into the British Open’s rich tapestry. The tournament has run almost uninterrupted, with only the challenging year of Covid-19 in 2020 missing from both the men’s and women’s records.
Men’s British Open Champions
Here’s a look at some of the notable champions who have lifted the men’s trophy:
- 1975: Alan Evans (The Rhonda Legend, inaugural winner)
- 1976: Jack North
- 1977: John Lowe
- 1978: Eric Bristow
- 1979: Tony Brown
- 1980: Cliff Lazarenko
- 1981: Eric Bristow
- 1982: Jocky Wilson
- 1983: Eric Bristow
- 1984: Cliff Lazarenko
- 1985: John Cosnett
- 1986: Eric Bristow
- 1987: Bob Anderson
- 1988: Brian Cairns
- 1990: Alan Warriner
- 1991: Mike Gregory
- 1992: Phil Gilman
- 1993: Dennis Priestley
- 1994: Martin Adams
- 1995: Al Hedman
- 1996: Roland Scholten
- 1997: Kevin Painter
- 1998: Colin Monk
- 1999: Raymond van Barneveld
- 2000: Mervyn King
- 2001: John Walton
- 2002: Tony Eccles
- 2003: Darryl Fitton
- 2004: Martin Adams
- 2005: Brian Buur
- 2006: Mick Reed
- 2007: Gary Anderson
- 2008: John Henderson
- 2009: Dave Chisnall
- 2010: Ted Hankey
- 2011: Scott Waites
- 2012: Martin Atkins
- 2013: Garry Thompson
- 2014: Scott Mitchell
- 2015: Mark McGeeney
- 2016: Cameron Menzies
- 2017: Ross Montgomery
- 2018: Richard Veenstra
- 2019: Wesley Harms
- 2021: Scott Marsh
- 2022: Reece Colley
- 2023: Luke Littler (The Nuke, rising star)
- 2024: Carl Wilkinson
- 2025: Mitchell Lawrie
- 2026: Graham Usher (Experienced champion)
Women’s British Open Champions
The women’s tournament has also seen an incredible array of talent:
- 1979: Judy Campbell (Inaugural winner)
- 1980: Linda Batten
- 1981: Ann-Marie Davies
- 1982: Maureen Flowers
- 1983: Sandy Earnshaw
- 1984: Ann-Marie Davies
- 1985: Linda Batten
- 1986: Gwen Sutton
- 1987: Sharon Colclough
- 1988: Jane Stubbs
- 1989: Cathie McCulloch
- 1990: Sharon Colclough
- 1991: Pauline Dyer
- 1992: Sandra Greatbatch
- 1993: Sandra Greatbatch
- 1994: Sandra Greatbatch
- 1995: Francis Hoenselaar
- 1996: Pauline Dyer
- 1997: Francis Hoenselaar
- 1998: Trina Gulliver
- 1999: Trina Gulliver
- 2000: Trina Gulliver
- 2001: Trina Gulliver
- 2002: Mieke de Boer
- 2003: Francis Hoenselaar
- 2004: Trina Gulliver
- 2005: Clare Bywaters
- 2006: Anastasia Dobromyslova
- 2007: Anastasia Dobromyslova
- 2008: Trina Gulliver
- 2009: Deta Hedman
- 2010: Trina Gulliver
- 2011: Lorraine Farlam
- 2012: Linda Ithurralde
- 2013: Deta Hedman
- 2014: Deta Hedman
- 2015: Deta Hedman
- 2016: Deta Hedman
- 2017: Corrine Hammond
- 2018: Lisa Ashton
- 2019: Lisa Ashton
- 2021: Fallon Sherrock
- 2022: Lisa Ashton
- 2023: Eve Watson
- 2024: Beau Greaves
- 2025: Paige Pauling
- 2026: Natalie Gilbert (Darts World contributor & ambassador)
The British Open continues to evolve, demonstrating that darts is a sport for all generations. The 2026 event, for instance, saw Darts World contributor and ambassador Natalie Gilbert triumph in the women’s event, adding a significant title to her impressive career. Similarly, Graham Usher’s victory in the men’s competition in the same year proved that experience and skill can still overcome the rising tide of young talent, securing a major title despite being eligible for seniors’ events. This blend of established champions and emerging stars ensures the British Open remains a vibrant and essential fixture on the darts calendar.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
