The ever-popular UK Open returns to kick off the 2019 PDC major season.
A record 159 players convene at Butlin's in Minehead for an event that brings the world's best in contact with amateurs and Challenge Tour contenders. With an open format and play spread across eight boards, including two stages, the UK Open provides a unique experience among PDC majors. There have been nine different champions - all from the Netherlands, Scotland or England. Incidentally, those three nationalities are represented by the three bookies' favourites to take the title in 2019.
Below you'll find a full spread of UK information, served up by us here at dartsnews.com. Bon appetit!
Draw and schedule
Play begins with the first, second and third rounds - all taking place on the afternoon of Friday 1 March. The world's top 32 then enter on Friday evening for the fourth round, which will be drawn randomly at the end of the afternoon session. With no draw bracket, even the top seeds could be drawn together early on.
Saturday afternoon is the fifth round, with the evening dedicated to the sixth round. Sunday 3 March features the quarter-finals in the afternoon, followed by the semi-finals and final.
The draw for the first three rounds is already known - you can see it in full here.
TV coverage
They may know a great tournament when they see it. Or they may just love the opportunity of a Butlin's getaway. Either way, ITV4 continue their UK broadcasting of the tournament. All eyes will be on the main stage, but cameras will be set up around the board and roving reporters will be providing updates of all the Minehead action.
Plan your sofa stints by reading the full TV guide here.
Prize fund
As part of the PDC's wider initiative to increase prize pots, UK Open participants could claim their share of a £450,000 fund this year. That includes £100,000 for the winner - up a full £30,000 on last year's offering. All the prize fund information is explained in this article.
Format
As we mentioned before, it's an open draw. The opening stages have been drawn already, but every round following will be drawn at Minehead during the event. A floor tournament-style format in the earlier rounds makes way for best of 19 in the fourth round onward. All games on the final day are best of 21 legs.
First round - best of 11 legs
Second round - best of 11 legs
Third round - best of 11 legs
Fourth round - best of 19 legs
Fifth round - best of 19 legs
Sixth round - best of 19 legs
Quarter-finals - best of 19 legs
Semi-finals - best of 21 legs
Final - best of 21 legs
Roll of honour
2003 Phil Taylor
2004 Roland Scholten
2005 Phil Taylor
2006-2007 Raymond van Barneveld
2008 James Wade
2009-2010 Phil Taylor
2011 James Wade
2012 Robert Thornton
2013 Phil Taylor
2014 Adrian Lewis
2015-2016 Michael van Gerwen
2017 Peter Wright
2018 Gary Anderson
Fantasy UK Open
Fancy making the UK Open even more interesting! Get involved in the Fantasy UK Open, with pretty impressive cash prizes up for grabs.
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