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Jonas Hunold/PDC Europe

World Cup of Darts 2025: Format and how the tournament works

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 10:23 AM ET

The stage is set in Frankfurt for one of the most exciting events on the PDC calendar — the World Cup of Darts. This unique tournament sees 36 nations compete in pairs, representing their countries in a bid for one of the sport’s most prestigious team titles.

This year brings fresh faces, returning legends, and major storylines right from the opening night. England's title defence will be led by a brand-new pairing: reigning world number one Luke Humphries teams up with teenage sensation Luke Littler, who makes his debut in national colours. Littler’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, and the 18-year-old will be looking to cap off his breakthrough season with a first major team title.

For the Netherlands, 21-year-old Gian van Veen steps onto the World Cup stage for the first time, partnering with the experienced Danny Noppert. The Dutch side faces a tougher route than usual after losing their seeded status — Michael van Gerwen opted out of this year’s event, meaning the team must battle through the group stage to reach the knockouts.

Format and Seeding: How It Works

The World Cup features a distinctive format that emphasises team synergy over individual brilliance. All matches are played exclusively in pairs, with teammates alternating turns every three darts.

Each nation is represented by its two highest-ranked players as of 7 May 2025. For countries without two PDC Tour Card holders, alternative qualification criteria applied.

The tournament begins with a group stage involving 36 nations split into 12 groups of three. Only the group winners progress to the last 16, where they’re joined by the top four seeded nations — England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — who receive automatic byes to the second round.

Group matches are played as best-of-7 legs, while the second round, quarter-finals, and semi-finals are contested over best-of-15. The final ups the ante again: teams must win 10 legs to be crowned World Cup champions.

When is the action?

The 36 group matches will be played on Thursday and Friday. The session on Thursday starts at 18:00 UK time. On Friday, the afternoon session starts at 11:00 noon and the evening session again at 18:00.

All matches in the second round will be played on Saturday. The afternoon session begins at 12 p.m., while the evening session starts at 6 p.m. The quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will take place on Sunday. The quarterfinals start from 12 p.m. On Sundayavodn, the semifinals and finals will be played starting at 6 p.m.

Who are the former winners at the World Cup of Darts?

Since its inception in 2010 — and its establishment as an annual event from 2012 — the World Cup has crowned champions from five different nations. England lead the way, having lifted the trophy four times, with Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis forming a legendary partnership. Dutch icons Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld took the title three times for the Netherlands.

This year’s field features several former winners: Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, the Welsh duo of Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, and Australia’s Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock, all of whom know what it takes to win this event.

2010: Netherlands (Raymond van Barneveld and Co Stompé)

2012: England (Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis)

2013: England (Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis)

2014: Netherlands (Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld)

2015: England (Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis)

2016: England (Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis)

2017: Netherlands (Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld)

2018: Netherlands (Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld)

2019: Scotland (Gary Anderson and Peter Wright)

2020: Wales (Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton).

2021: Scotland (Peter Wright and John Henderson)

2022: Australia (Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock)