British Open Darts Retuns to Bridlington for Special Event

The British Open Darts championship celebrates its Golden Jubilee this weekend at the Bridlington Spa, which has been the home of the championships for the last 21 years.

This event reaches a significant milestone as the longest-running darts championship in the world which started back in 1973. Over the years, it has featured the majority of the sport's icons, and this year, the competition promises to be exciting as the elite players battle to become the “Golden Champion”.

The Championships runs from Friday, 19 September to Sunday, 21 September and attracts around 1,000 competitors from the UK and Europe. The tournament includes categories for men, ladies, and youth boys and girls.

It’s a major ranking Championship within the World Darts Federation, offering qualification opportunities towards the 2025 World Championships at Lakeside in December.

Tommy Thompson from England Darts says it promises to be a special weekend with an added bonus for the youth competitions.

"It's the Golden Jubilee 50 years, this is probably the longest running open in the sport of darts from any organization anywhere in the world, this is the biggest and the longest running. 

The Tri Nations together have been trying to promote a lot towards Youth Darts. And we've just seen now that the entries have gone up that much, that it is now going to be a Gold Event, which is ranked by the World Darts Federation.

And this will be the first gold event for youth that's ever happened in the UK. 

 The Championships begin on Friday afternoon, with The England International Men’s Trial, followed by The British Open Pairs on Friday evening.

Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend, with the British Classic Men’s and Ladies, the British Open Youth, and the World Para darts British Open.

Sunday will feature the British Open Men’s and Ladies, followed by the grand finals, broadcast live worldwide.

Tommy says there are competitors coming from across the country for the event.

"We've got players here from all over the United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland from down south and a lot of the top Yorkshire players, Tom Sykes and some great players in the Yorkshire area and they'll all be here. Carl Wilkinson, who's, who won it won it last year. So they'll all be here.

And it is good fun. It really is hard work, but it's good fun and it pays off at the end of it, we're well over a thousand people coming to the the event this weekend.

Tommy says that influx of both competitors and spectators can only be positive for the local economy.

"I think this is what people don't understand. They think, oh, it's just the darts and everything else like that.

But when you bring in a thousand thousand plus people and the, they're in hotel rooms and taxis and food outlets and the pubs and clubs and what have you. It does it's a massive income for the for the area."

Tickets are free of charge on the Friday, 19 September, while tickets for Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 are priced at £10 per day. Under 12s entry is free all weekend, and weekend tickets are also available upon request. Spectator tickets are available from the box office at Bridlington Spa across the weekend or online at https://www.bridspa.com/event-details/?entry=00-darfri25

Like Darts as a whole the event has seen an increase in interest over the last few years, which Tommy puts down to one main driving force.

"In all honesty I think we can put it down to young Luke Littler who he is not, he's not able to play in our events now because he's a PDC tour card holder.

But Luke, from the age of 11, had always come to Bridlington, he was part of the England youth setup, he was part of the England senior setup before he was 18, and the last time he was here he won both the British Open and won the British Classic, which is a bit unique really.

Sadly, he's not here, but his legacy, there's no doubt about it, they have tuned into it, the kids and it has exploded. There's no doubt about that."

Tommy says the weekend long event is family orientated and celebrates inclusivity in the sport of darts.

"We cover all age groups and we even got disability darts here, wheelchair darts and everything. But we've got Ladies darts, men's darts, girls darts, boys darts, mixed pairs. We cover all aspects of the sport of darts and we try to make it that it's not just, a bit ruthless darts where it's just the top end of it.

It's, everybody joins in and they can come and sit next to people that they might, they might idolize and everything, and they'll always give a bit time and sign autographs , it really is a family affair that we try and encourage everybody to be involved in.

We cover all aspects of  darts and it's good fun and it, and some great darts, some fantastic darts.

And it will be live streamed on Sunday, the finals which we always do. So anybody that's can't make it to Bridlington can actually watch the finals.

But I would encourage people to come down, enjoy the day with us, and and meet new people and meet new friends. That's what it's all about really. "

Thompson also thanked everyone at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, including the management and staff at Bridlington Spa for their continued support of the British Open Darts Championships adding:

‘’The event gives players of all abilities the opportunity to participate in a World Ranking Championship on this historic milestone, especially those of Yorkshire and surrounding counties.’’

Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:

“I am delighted that this fantastic event is returning to Bridlington for its Golden Anniversary, with the assistance of the Visit East Yorkshire team.

‘’Some of the best darts players in the country will be taking part and I would encourage darts enthusiasts to come along and watch the world class sporting action at our iconic location, The Bridlington Spa.”