The Money Game: What's Actually at Stake When Darts Hits NYC

By Lewis Barnett 24 June, 2025 4 mins read 62 Views

Look, I've been following darts long enough to know that when the world's best players pack their flights to New York, they're not just coming for the bagels and Broadway shows.

Rob Cross proved that last year when he pulled off one of those comeback victories that makes you spill your beer. Down 6-4, then 7-6 against Gerwyn Price – and somehow the guy still managed to claw his way back for the win. My buddy texted me during that match: "Cross is done." Had to screenshot that for later.

The Englishman walked away £20,000 richer just for that final match alone. Not bad for a weekend in The Big Apple, right?

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Breaking Down the Cash (Because We're All Curious)

Here's the thing about tournament prize money – it always sounds impressive until you realize how many people are fighting for it.

The total pot stays at £60,000 this year, same as 2024. Which honestly feels a bit... static? But whatever, here's how they're dividing it up:

Winner takes £20,000 (the big payday). Runner-up gets £10,000, which isn't terrible for coming in second. The four semi-finalists each grab £5,000 – enough to cover a nice vacation, I guess.

Quarter-finalists split £2,500 each among eight players. And if you bomb out in the first round? Well, you still get £1,250 for showing up, which is more than I made last week.

The math checks out to exactly £60,000 total.

But Can Cross Actually Defend His Title?

This is where it gets interesting.

Cross is 34 now, and while that's not exactly ancient in darts years, he's facing some serious competition. Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are both coming in hot after their shocking early exit from the World Cup of Darts. (Germany knocked them out – still can't believe that happened.)

When two players with that much talent have something to prove, things get dangerous for everyone else.

How to Actually Watch This Thing

ITV4 has the live coverage in the UK – completely free if you've got a TV license. Which, let's be honest, most of us do.

You can also stream it on ITV X without paying anything extra. PDCTV subscribers get access too, though I'm not sure why you'd pay for that when free options exist.

And if you're stuck at work or something, plenty of sites will be running live blogs with leg-by-leg updates.

The Players Who Actually Matter

The PDC sent their usual suspects: Humphries, Littler, van Gerwen, Bunting, Cross, Price, Heta, and Aspinall. That's a solid lineup that could probably beat most countries' entire national teams.

The North American side includes Matt Campbell and Jim Long from Canada, plus six Americans: Danny Lauby, Jules van Dongen, Leonard Gates, Adam Sevada, Jason Brandon, and Stowe Buntz.

Honestly? The Americans are going to get crushed. But that's kind of the point – these World Series events are more about showcasing the sport than creating competitive balance.

Still, stranger things have happened in darts. Just ask Rob Cross about comebacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

Statistics

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.

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How To

Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.