The 1997 WDC World Darts Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the 1997 Red Band World Darts Championship) was held between 29 December 1996 and 5 January 1997 at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex. It was the fourth World Championship organised by the World Darts Council, which had acrimoniously split from the British Darts Organisation in 1992âÂÂ93. As a result of an ongoing legal battle, this would be the last time that the WDC name would be used â an out-of-court settlement (Tomlin Order) in June 1997 meant that the organisation had to change its name to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
Paul Lim, who famously hit a nine dart finish at the 1990 BDO World Darts Championship appeared at his first WDC World Championship â he had only managed to qualify once for the BDO World Championship since the split, losing a second round match to John Part in 1994.
The Championship saw two tight semi-finals, the most memorable of which was the clash between mentor and protégé â Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor. Taylor emerged victorious 5âÂÂ4 in sets to reach the final. He matched his mentor's feat of five World Championship titles when he beat Dennis Priestley 6âÂÂ3 in the final. They were now level as the most successful players of all-time.
The prize fund was ã99,500.
A best of five sets preliminary round match took place between the players who were tied on the rankings.
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
29 DecemberâÂÂ1 January
This table shows the number of players by country in the World Championship. Four countries were represented in the World Championship, one less than in the previous championship.