Trying to Figure Out This World Cup of Darts Format (It's More Complicated Than I Thought)

By Lewis Barnett 12 June, 2025 4 mins read 68 Views

Okay, so I've been staring at this World Cup of Darts setup for the past hour, and honestly? It's giving me flashbacks to trying to understand March Madness brackets back in college.

The tournament kicks off THIS Thursday in Frankfurt - June 12th to be exact - and runs through Sunday the 15th. Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are teaming up for England, which feels like watching your two favorite Netflix shows get a crossover episode.

Here's where it gets interesting (and slightly confusing).

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The Seeded Teams Get a Free Pass

Four countries - England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland - basically get to skip the first round entirely. They're seeded based on their PDC Order of Merit rankings, which sounds fancy but really just means "these guys are really good at throwing pointy things at boards."

England won last year with Cool Hand Humphries and Michael Smith beating Austria in teh final. Now Littler's stepping in for Smith, and I'm genuinely curious how that partnership will work out. Sometimes chemistry matters more than individual skill - learned that the hard way in fantasy football.

Everyone Else Has to Fight Through Groups First

The remaining 36 teams get thrown into 12 groups of three teams each. Round-robin style, best of seven legs per match. Only the group winners advance, which means 24 teams are going home after Thursday.

That's brutal when you think about it.

Netherlands has Danny Noppert teaming up with newcomer Gian van Veen - they're in Group A with Italy and Hungary. Wales looks scary with Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, though they won't face elimination until Saturday.

Saturday's Where Things Get Real

The second round happens across two sessions on Saturday. All matches jump to best of 15 legs, and suddenly every throw matters way more. The four seeded nations finally enter the fray here, meeting the 12 group winners in what should be some epic matchups.

Quarter-finals, semis, and final all happen Sunday - they're calling it "Finals Day" which sounds appropriately dramatic. The final stretches to best of 19 legs, so we're talking potentially 3+ hours of pure tension.

Some Groups Look Absolutely Stacked

Group H caught my attention immediately: Austria (last year's runners-up), Spain, and Australia with Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock. Someone good is going home early there.

Belgium's in Group B with Mike de Decker and Dimitri van den Bergh facing Latvia and Philippines. On paper that looks manageable, but darts has a way of humbling favorites.

Germany gets Portugal and Singapore in Group C - Jose de Sousa can be dangerous on his day, and Paul Lim is still throwing darts at 70 years old which is honestly inspiring.

The Format Actually Makes Sense (Eventually)

Once you wrap your head around it, the structure works pretty well. Group stage eliminates the weaker teams quickly, seeded nations avoid early upsets, and by Sunday you've got 8 quality teams battling for the title.

My money's on England repeating, but Wales with Clayton and Price could easily spoil that party. Netherlands always seems to find a way to make finals too.

Honestly, the hardest part might be keeping track of all 40 teams and remembering which Luke is which when England plays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

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.

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.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

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.

Statistics

In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.

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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.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/barneys-back-the-dutch-master-gets-his-portsmouth-pass