EXCLUSIVE: BDO World Darts Championship remains at Lakeside in 2019

A spokesman from the Lakeside Leisure Complex confirmed this to . It was confirmed that the venue is not available for hire from 5-13th January, as the venue will be used for the 2019 BDO World Darts Championship. For months there have been rumours about a possible departure from the iconic Frimley Green location. The BDO's flagship event has been played there since 1986. The event's reputation has suffered somewhat in recent years. A number of leading names from the BDO switched to the more lucrative PDC. From 2017, the BBC also decided to end broadcasting from the Lakeside. It led the BDO to look for a new TV channel to bring the tournament to the television. Channel 4 stepped in, taking over the broadcasting rights for the afternoon sessions and the final in 2017 and 2018. BT Sport, who shared coverage with the BBC in 2015 and 2016, claimed the evening sessions. However, Channel 4's decision to axe Lakeside coverage has left the BDO searching for new partnerships.

Channel 4's exit allegedly hit a sore spot for Bob Potter, owner of the Lakeside Leisure Complex sponsor of the BDO World Championship since 2004. Potter, who still contributes to the , was faced with less TV advertising for his venue and brand. Rumours about a departure from Lakeside gained traction when the BDO removed the name of the World Championship venue from their calendar. Frimley Green was replaced with 'UK'. With roughly three months to go until the start of the BDO World Championship the managing board, under the leadership of new chairman Derek Jacklin, has not released information yet about the organisation of the event. A television channel has not yet been found. However, it does seem that the BDO World Darts Championship will continue at Lakeside, just like the past 33 years.