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2022 - 2023
The WDF World Championship returns to the famous Lakeside Venue this December. Players who qualified for both World Finals (PDC/WDF) had to choose which event they wished to compete in. Beau Greaves has opted to defend her WDF World Title, while others have decided not to accept their invitation to the WDF event and will feature in the PDC World Darts Championships later this month.
For the first time, the event will be live-streamed via WDF YouTube. So anyone with internet access can watch. The tournament will also be broadcast via Ayozat.com, Swerve Sports and Furbo TV.
For more International Broadcasters, please visit the WDF.
The WDF World Championships features men's and women's competitions and a girl's and boy's World Final. More details below...
The PDC World Darts Championships returns to the Ally Pally, London, with the biggest prize money in darts, a total of £2.5 Million. Ninety-six players compete, but only one will win the Sid Waddell World Trophy and a cheque for £500,000. London's biggest Christmas Party lasts two weeks as fans descend from across the globe sporting their fancy dress for the occasion. Live on Sky Sports, DAZN and Viaplay. Viewers with Sky but not Sky Sports can upgrade to follow the arrows for one month. Contact Sky for more details.
World Championship details below...
So you think you are good enough? The PDC Qualifying School (Q-School) is now open for applications. Your chance to compete with the best in the world starts here. Win a two-year tour card, and you are in!
Entries cost £475 per player, including the 2024 DRA Sanction Fee, and can be made now online through the PDC Entry System, with entries closing at 1400 GMT on Thursday January 4 2024.
Players from the UK, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar will compete in the UK Qualifying School, with players from all other European nations competing in the European Qualifying School. Players from other nations may choose in which Qualifying School to compete.
For more details, use the link below.
Use the tabs below to find out more details about both the World Dart Federation (WDF) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championships 2023-24
(updated 06/12/2023
The World Dart Federation (WDF) return to the famous Lakeside Country Club for its second World Darts Championships. It's been a long delay since the 2022 Championships, held in April 2022. Nevertheless, the Lakeside venue is steeped in darts history, as many of the best players ever to throw an arrow have graced the oche on the Lakeside stage.
This year's event will be held just before the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championships, 2-10 December. However, I expect both venues to be packed with fans cheering on the players.
Unlike the PDC World Championships, the WDF features four World Championships, a men's, women's, Boys and Girls championship.
Having qualified for both WDF and PDC events, Beau Greave has decided to defend her women's world title, but missing from the women's lineup will be some notable players who now focus on the PDC Women's Series.
Defending WDF World Mens Champion Neil Duff is seeded No.2 in this year's event, with Andy Baetens toping the WDF main Ranking.
The tournamnet can be watched via:
This year's event will be shown live on WDF YouTube for the whole world to see. In addition, the event will also be screened via Swere Sports, Ayozart.com, and Fubo TV.
For more International Broadcasters, please visit the WDF.
Tickets are avaible via eventbite. Please check if the venue has any age restrictions policy before booking.
Subject to change, please get in touch with the venue for the latest information.
Day | Date | Afternoon | Evening |
Saturday | December 2, 2023 | 1pm | 7pm |
Sunday | December 3, 2023 | 1pm | 7pm |
Monday | December 4, 2023 | 1pm | 7pm |
Tuesday | December 5, 2023 | 1pm | 7pm |
Wednesday | December 6, 2023 | 1pm | 7pm |
Thursday | December 7, 2023 | 1pm | 7pm |
Friday | December 8, 2023 | 1pm | 7pm |
Saturday | December 9, 2023 | 2.00pm | 7pm |
Sunday | December 10, 2023 | - | 5pm |
Lakeside Country Club, Wharf Road, Frimley, Green, Camberley, Surrey
Tel 01252 836 464 (Box Office)
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturdays: Closed
Sundays: Closed
Post Code: GU16 6PT
Parking: There is ample parking at the lakeside venue
Directions to Lakeside, Frimley Green (Surrey Heath) with public transport
The following transport lines have routes that pass near Lakeside, Frimley Green
Train: GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY
More Travel information via moovitapp.com
Lakeside Country Club Box Office: Tel 01252 836 464 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)
A prize fund of £257.000 is on offer at the 2023 WDF World Darts Championships, with £50,000 first prize for the men and £25,000 for the women. A full breakdown can be seen below. The overall prize fund is slightly down on last year's prize fund of £300,00.
Prize Fund 2023 | Men | Women | Boy | Girl |
Champion | £50,000 | £25,000 | £5,000 | £2,000 |
Runner-Up | £20,000 | £10,000 | £2,000 | £1,000 |
Semi-Finalist | £10,000 | £5,000 | £1,000 | - - - |
Quarter-Finalist | £5,000 | £2,500 | - - - | - - - |
Last 16 | £2,500 | £1,500 | - - - | - - - |
Last 24 | - - - | £1,000 | - - - | - - - |
Last 32 | £1,500 | - - - | - - - | - - - |
Last 48 | £1,000 | - - - | - - - | - - - |
Total | £170,000 | £75,000 | £9,000 | £3,000 |
For many of the WDF players, the draw to play on the PDC World Dart circuit has been too great, and many compete at the PDC Qualifying school held annually in January each year, hoping to win a two-year tour card. However, the WDF has more players on its world stage and is still the backbone and breading stable of the new generation of dart stars.
The 2023 WDF World Championships will be the second instalment of this newly established World Championships. The former British Darts Organisation (BDO) staged this event for many years at the Lakeside venue. However, Lakeside wasn't the first venue to host the event. The 'Heart of the Midlands' nightclub in Nottingham was the first before the event moved to the Jollees Club Stoke-on-Trent, where it remained until 1985. However, Lakeside has been the venue since, with one exception. The 2020 event was staged at the London O2, which many fans boycotted, and it wasn't the BDO's finest hour.
Sponsorship and lack of premier TV coverage have plagued the former BDO and WDF as the 2023 Masters was taken off the event list this year. Let's hope the 2023 World Championships give the WDF the boost it requires for the players, the fans and the dedicated staff that run the WDF.
The WDF/BDO Prize fund has always become under scrutiny compared to the sport's more lucrative side, the PDC. The 2023 total prize fund seems to have been reduced since 2022, a total of £257,000 compared to £300,000 in 2022. The fund is split between men, women, boys and girls tournaments and although the headline first prizes remain unchanged since last year, earlier rounds in most cases have been reduced. The men's WDF Championship champion will again receive £50,000. The women £25,000, the boy's winner £5,000 and the girls £2,000. The full WDF World Championship tournament prize fund breakdown can be viewed under the WDF World Championships 2023 Tournament Detail tab.
The men's and women's 2022 WDF World Champions return to Lakeside to defend their titles. Neil Duff, currently ranked WDF World No.2, and Beau Greaves WDF Women's No.1, will both hope to add their names again to the WDF World Title Trophy.
Beau Greave has shown her scoring power in the last twelve months on the WDF and PDC circuit. Toping the PDC Women's Series and Winning the PDC Women's Masters made her eligible to play in the PDC World Championships held after the conclusion of the WDF World Finals. However, the PDC and WDF rules only allow players to play in one of these events. Beau, in this case, opted to play in the WDF event.
Other players who also qualified for both events have not taken the same route as Beau and declined their invitation, causing a few last-minute changes to the WDF scheduled line-up. Below is the WDF player's line-up.
The list of 48 men who will feature in the WDF World Champion is detailed below. The top 16 names are the 16 seeded players and enter the tournament in the second round as part of the Last 32, where they will play the winners of the first-round matches.
Please note the player's lineup has changed, with some expected players declining their invitation. If a player declines their invitation, the next highest-ranked WDF player is invited to play.
[*] John Scott replaces Thibault Tricole, who was ranked No.11. Although John's ranking here is inflated, the draw had been made when Thibault withdrew. The WDF stated that John would only receive a first-round prize should he lose in his first-round match.
If you require further information regarding player replacement, please visit or contact the WDF website.
No. |
Seeded Player Enter (R2) |
Ranked 17-32 Enter (R1) |
Ranked 32-48 Enter (R1) |
1 | Andy Baetens | 17. Liam Maendl-Lawrance | 33. Dennie Olde Kalter |
2 | Neil Duff | 18. Danny Porter | 34. Edwin Torbjörnsson |
3 | Jelle Klaasen | 19. Laszlo Kadar) | 35. Mike Gillet |
4 | James Hurrell | 20. Patrik Kovacs | 36. Dennis Nilsson |
5 | Wesley Plaisier | 21. Jonny Tata | 37. Brian Corbett |
6 | Danny Lauby | 22. Leonard Gates | 38. Jim Widmayer |
7 | Chris Landman | 23. Moreno Blom | 39. Shaun McDonald |
8 | Barry Copeland | 24. Antony Allen | 40. Davie Kirwan |
9 | Mark Barilli | 25. Benjamin Pratnemer | 41. Gábor Takács |
10 | Kai Fan Leung | 26. James Richardson | 42. David Pallett |
11 | John Scott [*] | 27. Thomas Junghans | 43. Ricky Nauman |
12 | Peter Machin | 28. Jamie Lewis | 44. Reece Colley |
13 | Alexander Merkx | 29. Jordan Brooks | 45. Sebastian Białecki |
14 | Darren Johnson | 30. Aaron Turner | 46. Arjan Konterman |
15 | Martyn Turner | 31. Dave Prins | 47. Jarno Bottenberg |
16 | Gary Stone | 32. Scott Marsh | 48. Christian Goedl |
Twenty-four women will take part in the 2023 World Championship, detailed below. The top 8 are seeded players that will enter the tournament in the second round (last 16) where they will play the winner of the first-round matches.
No. |
Seeded Player Enter (R2) |
Ranked 17-32 Enter (R1) |
Ranked 32-48 Enter (R1) |
1 | Beau Greaves | 9. Kym Mitchell | 17. Veronika Ihász |
2 | Aileen de Graaf | 10. Aletta Wajer | 18. Victoria Monaghan |
3 | Lisa Ashton | 11. Kirsty Hutchinson | 19. Paula Jacklin |
4 | Deta Hedman | 12. Paula Murphy | 20. Anna Forsmark |
5 | Rhian O’Sullivan | 13. Nicole Regnaud | 21. Priscilla Steenbergen |
6 | Wendy Harper | 14. Suzanne Smith | 22. Laura Turner |
7 | Lorraine Winstanley | 15. Lorraine Hyde | 23. Mayumi Ouchi |
8 | Anca Zijlstra | 16. Jo Clements | 24. Almudena Fajardo |
The four boys will contest the Boys World Championship. A straight draw determines each player's opponent, with the semi-finals taking place on Semi-final Saturday, December 9, ahead of the final on Sunday, December 10.
The two girls move straight through to the final on Sunday December 10
No. | Player |
1 | András Borbély |
2 | Mats Theobald |
3 | Adam Dee |
4 | Bradley van der Velden |
No. | Player |
1 | Krisztina Turai |
2 | Aurora Fochesato |
Playing Format. Each Set best of 5 legs |
||
Men | Women | Youth |
R1 – 3 sets | R1 – 3 sets | Boys SF – 3 sets |
R2 – 5 sets | R2 – 3 sets | Girls Final – 3 sets |
R3 – 5 sets | QF – 3 sets | Boys Final – 5 sets |
QF – 7 sets | SF – 5 sets | |
SF – 9 sets | Final – 7 sets | |
Final – 11 sets |
Saturday, December 2 | |
Afternoon Session from (13.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
R1 - Scott Marsh (ENG) 0 - 2 Sebastian Białecki (POL) | R1 - James Richardson (ENG) 2 - 1 Christian Goedl (AUT) |
R1 - Jo Clements (ENG) 0 - 2 Veronika Ihász (HUN) | R1 - Aletta Wajer (NED) 2 - 0 Paula Jacklin (ENG) |
R1 - Aaron Turner (ENG) 1 - 2 Ricky Nauman (SWE) | R1 - Patrik Kovacs (HUN) 1 - 2 Jim Widmayer (USA) |
R1 - Jordan Brooks (ENG) 0 - 2 Dennis Nilsson (SWE) | R1 - Jonny Tata (NZL) 2 - 1 Shaun McDonald (SCO) |
R1 - Paula Murphy (USA) 2 - 1 Almudena Fajardo (SPA) | R1 - Lorraine Hyde (SCO) 2 - 1 Laura Turner (ENG) |
R1 - Dave Prins (ENG) 0 - 2 Reece Colley (ENG) | R1 - Danny Porter (AUS) 0 - 2 Arjan Konterman (NED) |
Sunday, December 3 | |
Afternoon Session from (13.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
R1 - Liam Maendl-Lawrance (GER) 2 - 1 Mike Gillet (WAL) | R1 - Thomas Junghans (SWI) 2 - 0 David Pallett (ENG) |
R1 - Kirsty Hutchinson (ENG) 2 - 0 Mayumi Ouchi (JPN) | R1 - Suzanne Smith (ENG) 2 - 0 Victoria Monaghan (NZL) |
R1 - Laszlo Kadar (ROM) 0 - 2 Edwin Torbjörnsson (SWE) | R1 - Benjamin Pratnemer (SLO) 0 - 2 Davie Kirwan (SCO) |
R1 - Moreno Blom (NED) 2 - 0 Gábor Takács (HUN) | R1 - Leonard Gates (USA) 2 - 0 Brian Corbett (NZL) |
R1 - Kym Mitchell (AUS) 1 - 2 Priscilla Steenbergen (NED) | R1 - Nicole Regnaud (NZL) 2 - 1 Anna Forsmark (SWE) |
R1 - Jamie Lewis (WAL) 0 - 2 Jarno Bottenberg (NED) | R1 - Antony Allen (ENG) 0 - 2 Dennie Olde Kalter (NED) |
Monday, December 4 | |
Afternoon Session from (13.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
R2 - Peter Machin (AUS) 0 - 3 James Richardson (ENG) | R2 - Barry Copeland (NIR) 2 - 3 Jonny Tata (NZL) |
R2 - Anca Zijlstra (NED) 0 - 2 Paula Murphy (USA) | R2 - Beau Greaves (ENG) 2 - 0 Lorraine Hyde (SCO) |
R2 - Mark Barilli (SCO) 0 - 3 Jim Widmayer (USA) | R2 - Andy Baetens (BEL) 3 - 0 Sebastian Białecki (POL) |
R2 - Gary Stone (SCO) 3 - 1 Rickey Nauman (SWE) | R2 - James Hurrell (ENG) 2 - 3 Dennis Nilsson (SWE) |
Tuesday, December 5 | |
Afternoon Session from (13.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
R2 - Alexander Merkx (NED) 3 - 1 Arjan Konterman (NED) | R2 - Jelle Klaasen (NED) 3 - 0 Edwin Torbjörnsson (SWE) |
R2 - Rhian O’Sullivan (WAL) 2 - 0 Suzanne Smith (ENG) | R2 - Deta Hedman (ENG) 2 - 0 Aletta Wajer (NED) |
R2 - Martyn Turner (ENG) 3 - 1 Liam Maendl-Lawrance (GER) | R2 - Neil Duff (NIR) 3 - 1 Moreno Blom (NED) |
R2 - Wesley Plaisier (NED) 3 - 1 Reece Colley (ENG) | R2 - [*] John Scott (ENG) 0 - 3 Leonard Gates (USA) |
Wednesday, December 6 | |
Afternoon Session from (13.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
R2 - Chris Landman (NED) v Davie Kirwan (SCO) | R2 - Danny Lauby (USA) v Jarno Bottenberg (NED) |
R2 - Lorraine Winstanley (ENG) v Veronika Ihász (HUG) | R2 - Aileen de Graaf (NED) v Nicole Regnaud (NZL) |
R2 - Kai Fan Leung (HKG) v Thomas Junghans (SWI) | R3 - Andy Baetens (BEL) v Gary Stone (SCO) |
R2 - Darren Johnson (ENG) v Dennie Olde Kalter (NED) | R3 - Wesley Plaisier (NED) v James Richardson (ENG) |
Thursday, December 7 | |
Afternoon Session from (13.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
R3 - Jonney Tate (NZL) v Jim Widmayer (USA) | R3 - Jelle Klassen (NED v Johnson/Olde Kalter |
R2 - Wendy Harper (NZL) v Kirsty Hutchinson (ENG) | R2 - Lisa Ashton (ENG) v Priscilla Steenbergen (NED) |
R3 - Dennis Nilsson (SWE) v Alexandar Merkx (NED) | R3 - Neil Duff (ENG) v Martyn Turner (ENG) |
R3 - Men's Match | R3 - Lauby/Bottenberg v Leonard Gates (USA) |
Friday, December 8 - Quarter-Finals Day | |
Afternoon Session from (13.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
QF - Beau Greaves (ENG) v Paula Murphy (USA) TBC | QF - Beau Greaves (ENG) v Paula Murphy (USA) TBC |
QF - Deta Hedman vs Rhain O'Sullivan (WAL) TBC | QF - Deta Hedman vs Rhain O'Sullivan (WAL) TBC |
QF - Men's Match | QF - Men's Match |
QF - Men's Match | QF - Men's Match |
Saturday, December 9 - Semi-Finals Day | |
Afternoon Session from (14.00) | Evening Session from (19.00) |
SF - Boys: Mats Theobald (GER) v Bradley Van der Velden (NED) | SF – Boys: András Borbély (HUN) v Adam Dee (IRE) |
SF - Women | SF - Women |
SF - Men | SF - Men |
Sunday, December 10 - Finals Day | |
Afternoon No Play | Evening Session from (17.00) |
Girls Final: Aurora Fochesato v Krisztina Turai | |
Boys Final: TBC | |
Women's Final: TBC | |
Men's Final: TBC |
The World Dart Stage is set for another 15 days of World Darts. The PDC Paddy Power World Championship Dart, live from the Alexandra Palace, London.
Ninety-six players will compete for the Sid Waddell trophy and the first prize of £500,000 with a total prize fund of £2.5M, making this event the richest darts event in the World.
At the time of writing, a few tickets are still available. However, these tend to sell out fast, so if you want to join the party, I suggest you buy your tickets now or be disappointed.
The open field will likely excite neutral fans as the 2024 World Championships could see a new name on the Sid Waddell trophy.
The biggest prize money in any darts tournament attracts the best players in the World. However, the current women's series champion and PDC Women's World Matchplay Champion, Beau Greaves, has declined her invitation to the PDC World Championship finals, opting to compete and defend her WDF World Championship title instead. The field will consist of at least two female players, Fallon Sherrock and Mikuru Suzuki.
The top 32-seeded players this year enter the competition in the tournament's second round. Further details of this event, venue, and prize fund breakdown can be found on this page. Use the tabs below to reveal more information or at the top of this section to find out the play schedule and player's lineup.
Tickets for this event sell out fast, so book your ticket now. Follow the PDC event ticket Link below to see what is available. If, however, you were not lucky enough to purchase a ticket for this event, then no worries, the event will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK / Ireland and various TV stations around the World, including DAZN and Viaplay and on PDCTV (excluding subscribers based in the UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland). Subscription to the live streaming via PDCTV will also allow you to see many PDC Darts events.
The Alexandra Palace traditionally opens its doors an hour to an hour and a half before the start of the event. However, please check with the venue beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Date | Match Schedule | Doors Open | Event Start | Event Finish |
15th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
16th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
16th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
17th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
17th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
18th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
19th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
19th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
20th December 2023 | 3x First Round, 1x Second Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
20th December 2023 | 2x First Round, 2x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
21st December 2023 | 4x Second Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
21st December 2023 | 4x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
22nd December 2023 | 4x Second Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
22nd December 2023 | 4x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
23rd December 2023 | 4x Second Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
23rd December 2023 | 4x Second Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
CHRISTMAS BREAK | === No Play === | === | === | === |
27th December 2023 | 3x Third Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
27th December 2023 | 3x Third Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
28th December 2023 | 3x Third Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
28th December 2023 | 3x Third Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
29th December 2023 | 3x Third Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
29th December 2023 | 1x Third Round, 2x Fourth Round | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
30th December 2023 | 3x Fourth Round | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
30th December 2023 | 3x Fourth Round | 17:30 | 19:30 | 23:00 |
NEW YEARS EVE BREAK | === No Play === | === | === | === |
1st January 2024 | 2x Quarter-Finals | 11:30 | 12:30 | 16:30 |
1st January 2024 | 2x Quarter-Finals | 17:30 | 19:00 | 23:00 |
2nd January 2024 | Semi-Finals | 18:00 | 19:30 | 23:00 |
3rd January 2024 | Final | 18:30 | 20:00 | 23:00 |
Please use this plan as a guide only and not an exact representation of the seating layout at the venue.
Alexandra Palace is the iconic North London venue that is surrounded by 196 acres of beautiful parkland, and grounds that boast a pub & restaurant, boating lake, pitch & putt course, 1,500 free parking spaces and much, much more.
The People’s Palace has great transport links, located just off the M1 and M25 and only 10 minutes from London Kings Cross.
Situated between Muswell Hill & Wood Green, Alexandra Palace is well served by all forms of public transport and is easy to reach by underground, road, rail & air. Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
Postcode: N22 7AY
As of 7 August 2023, Alexandra Place has a new car parking charge system in operation in all their car parks. The charges support their charity work to care for the Park and Palace for the benefit of all forever.
The East Court car park is open seven days a week from 05.30-00.30hrs. The last entry is 20.00 each day, excluding event days when hours will vary.
The Grove car park is open seven days a week from 06.00-19.00hrs each day, excluding event days when hours will vary. The Paddocks car park is open for specific events only. Please see the onsite signage for more information.
There are (uncovered) bicycle racks in our East Court car park
Wood Green is the nearest underground station on the Piccadilly Line. (journey time is 20 minutes from Piccadilly Circus). Exit Wood Green Station and go to bus stop A to pick up the W3 bus up the hill to Alexandra Palace.
Alexandra Palace has its own British Rail Station, fittingly called Alexandra Palace Station. It is located at the Wood Green entrance to the Park. A regular train service runs direct from Moorgate (weekdays only) or from Kings Cross, changing at Finsbury Park.
Take the W3 bus from outside the station to the main Palm Court entrance. Some shows offer a free shuttle bus service from both Wood Green and Alexandra Palace stations check on the page of your event to find out more.
From Heathrow Airport, take the Piccadilly Line directly to Wood Green Station.
From Gatwick Airport an express takes you direct to Victoria Station, then take the Victoria Line to Finsbury Park station and a direct bus w3 to Alexandra Palace or overground train to Alexandra Palace station
Please note that the last tube from Wood Green Station leaves around midnight and the last train from Alexandra Palace Station leaves around Midnight. It is worth checking the last train times for your event date at www.tfl.gov.uk
Click here to find out more and plan your route.
The PDC Paddy PowerWorld Darts Championship's total prize money stands at £2,500,000 as per previous years going back to 2019. The exact breakdown of this year's money has not been published, but it is likely the same as last year.
The largest portion of the prize funds goes to the champion, £500,000 and the Sid Waddell Trophy. The prize money breakdown is shown below as per last year's event.
Position | Players | Prize Money | Total |
Champion | 1 | £500,000 | £500,000 |
Runner-up | 1 | £200,000 | £200,000 |
Semi-finalist | 2 | £100,000 | £200,000 |
Quarter-finalist | 4 | £50,000 | £200000 |
Fourth Round Loser | 8 | £35,000 | £280,000 |
Third Round Loser | 16 | £25,000 | £400,000 |
Second Round Loser | 32 | £15,000 | £480,000 |
First Round Loser | 32 | £7,500 | £240,000 |
Total | £2,500,000 |
The World's greatest darts tournament is back, with the World's top 96 players competing to win the Sid Waddell / Paddy Power PDC World Darts Trophy.
The tournament features 96 players made up of the top 32 seeded players on the PDC Order of Merit. They will be joined by a further 32 highest non-qualified players from the Pro Tour Order of Merit, based on the events played on the 2023 PDC Pro Tour.
The remaining 32 players come from international, and the two top-ranked women from the Womens Series Order of Merit *
Seeded players enter the World Championship in Round Two.
* NOTE: Beau Greaves qualified for the PDC and the WDF World Championships. Beau has decided to decline the PDC invitation so you can play in the WDF Women's World Championships and defend her title.
Order of Merit |
Pro Tour Order of Merit |
International Qualifiers |
Second Round (seeds) | First Round | First Round |
1. Michael Smith | 1. Ricardo Pietreczko | Simon Adams - African Qualifier |
2. Michael van Gerwen | 2. Gian van Veen | Owen Bates - PDC Challenge Tour |
3. Luke Humphries | 3. Ryan Joyce | Stowe Buntz - CDC Pro Tour |
4. Peter Wright | 4. Luke Woodhouse | David Cameron - CDC Pro Tour |
5. Gerwyn Price | 5. Mike De Decker | Tomoya Goto - PDC Asian Tour |
6. Nathan Aspinall | 6. Ian White | Jeffrey de Graaf - PDC Nordic & Baltic[3] |
7. Danny Noppert | 7. Jim Williams | Dragutin Horvat;- PDC Europe Super League |
8. Rob Cross | 8. Mario Vandenbogaerde | Lourence Ilagan - PDC Asian Tour |
9. Jonny Clayton | 9. Radek Szagański | Prakash Jiwa - Indian Qualifier |
10. Damon Heta | 10. Richard Veenstra | Marko Kantele - PDC Nordic & Baltic[4] |
11. Dave Chisnall | 11. Steve Beaton | Man Lok Leung - PDC Asian Tour |
12. Dirk van Duijvenbode | 12. Keane Barry | Luke Littler - PDC Development Tour |
13. James Wade | 13. Simon Whitlock | Norman Madhoo - CLDC Pro Tour |
14. Joe Cullen | 14. Kevin Doets | Haruki Muramatsu - PDC Asian Championship |
15. Dimitri Van den Bergh | 15. Matt Campbell | Paolo Nebrida - PDC Asian Tour |
16. Ross Smith | 16. Connor Scutt | Wessel Nijman - PDC Development Tour |
17. Chris Dobey | 17. Martin Lukeman | Berry van Peer - PDC Challenge Tour |
18. Stephen Bunting | 18. Mickey Mansell | Darren Penhall - DPA Pro Tour[5] |
19. Ryan Searle | 19. Dylan Slevin | Haupai Puha - Oceanic Masters |
20. Andrew Gilding | 20. Steve Lennon | Reynaldo Rivera - PDC Asian Tour |
21. Gary Anderson | 21. William O'Connor | Ben Robb - DPNZ Qualifier |
22. Gabriel Clemens | 22. Scott Williams | Fallon Sherrock - PDC Women's Series |
23. Josh Rock | 23. Christian Kist | Sandro Eric Sosing - PDC Asian Championship |
24. Krzysztof Ratajski | 24. Ricky Evans | Alex Spellman - CDC Pro Tour |
25. José de Sousa | 25. Cameron Menzies | Mikuru Suzuki - PDC Women's Series |
26. Martin Schindler | 26. Lee Evans | Thibault Tricole - West Europe Qualifier |
27. Daryl Gurney | 27. Ritchie Edhouse | Zong Xiao Chen - PDC China Premier League |
28. Brendan Dolan | 28. Jermaine Wattimena | Krzysztof Kciuk |
29. Raymond van Barneveld | 29. Jules van Dongen | Florian Hempel |
30. Callan Rydz | 30. Jamie Hughes | Rusty-Jake Rodriguez |
31. Kim Huybrechts | 31. Niels Zonneveld | Darren Webster |
32. Madars Razma | 32. Keegan Brown | Boris Krcmar |
Doets | v | Stowe Buntz |
Keane Barry | v | Reynaldo Rivera |
Lee Evans | v | Sandro Eric Sosing |
Jim Williams | v | Norman Madhoo |
Connor Scutt | v | Krzysztof Kciuk |
Ricky Evans | v | Simon Adams |
Scott Williams | v | Haruki Muramatsu |
Mario Vandenbogaerde | v | Thibault Tricole |
Steve Lennon | v | Owen Bates |
Martin Lukeman | v | Haupai Puha |
Cameron Menzies | v | Rusty-Jake Rodriguez |
Keegan Brown | v | Boris Krcmar |
Matt Campbell | v | Lourence Ilagan |
Jules van Dongen | v | Darren Penhall |
Dylan Slevin | v | Florian Hempel |
Niels Zonneveld | v | Darren Webster |
William O'Connor | v | Bhav Patel |
Ryan Joyce | v | Alex Spellman |
Ian White | v | Tomoya Goto |
Christian Kist | v | Luke Littler |
Simon Whitlock | v | Paolo Nebrida |
Gian van Veen | v | Man Lok Leung |
Luke Woodhouse | v | Berry van Peer |
Jamie Hughes | v | David Cameron |
Ritchie Edhouse | v | Jeffrey de Graaf |
Jermaine Wattimena | v | Fallon Sherrock |
Steve Beaton | v | Wessel Nijman |
Mickey Mansell | v | Xiaochen Zong |
Radek Szaganski | v | Marko Kantele |
Ricardo Pietreczko | v | Mikuru Suzuki |
Richard Veenstra | v | Ben Robb |
Mike De Decker | v | Dragutin Horvat |
(1) Michael Smith | v | Doets / Stowe Buntz |
(2) Michael van Gerwen | v | Keane Barry / Reynaldo Rivera |
(3) Luke Humphries | v | Lee Evans / Sandro Eric Sosing |
(4) Peter Wright | v | Jim Williams / Norman Madhoo |
(5) Gerwyn Price | v | Connor Scutt / Krzysztof Kciuk |
(6) Nathan Aspinall | v | Ricky Evans / Simon Adams |
(7) Danny Noppert | v | Scott Williams / Haruki Muramatsu |
(8) Rob Cross | v | Mario Vandenbogaerde / Thibault Tricole |
(9) Jonny Clayton | v | Steve Lennon / Owen Bates |
(10) Damon Heta | v | Martin Lukeman / Haupai Puha |
(11) Dave Chisnall | v | Cameron Menzies / Rusty-Jake Rodriguez |
(12) Dirk van Duijvenbode | v | Keegan Brown / Boris Krcmar |
(13) James Wade | v | Matt Campbell / Lourence Ilagan |
(14) Joe Cullen | v | Jules van Dongen / Darren Penhall |
(15) Dimitri Van den Bergh | v | Dylan Slevin / Florian Hempel |
(16) Ross Smith | v | Niels Zonneveld / Darren Webster |
(17) Chris Dobey | v | William O'Connor / Bhav Patel |
(18) Stephen Bunting | v | Ryan Joyce / Alex Spellman |
(19) Ryan Searle | v | Ian White / Tomoya Goto |
(20) Andrew Gilding | v | Christian Kist / Luke Littler |
(21) Gary Anderson | v | Simon Whitlock / Paolo Nebrida |
(22) Gabriel Clemens | v | Gian van Veen / Man Lok Leung |
(23) Josh Rock | v | Luke Woodhouse / Berry van Peer |
(24) Krzysztof Ratajski | v | Jamie Hughes / David Cameron |
(25) Jose de Sousa | v | Ritchie Edhouse / Jeffrey de Graaf |
(26) Martin Schindler | v | Jermaine Wattimena / Fallon Sherrock |
(27) Daryl Gurney | v | Steve Beaton / Wessel Nijman |
(28) Brendan Dolan | v | Mickey Mansell / Xiaochen Zong |
(29) Raymond van Barneveld | v | Radek Szaganski / Marko Kantele |
(30) Callan Rydz | v | Ricardo Pietreczko / Mikuru Suzuki |
(31) Kim Huybrechts | v | Richard Veenstra / Ben Robb |
(32) Madars Razma | v | Mike De Decker / Dragutin Horvat |
Friday December 15 | |
Afternoon Session (No Play) | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Kevin Doets v Stowe Buntz (R1) | |
Cameron Menzies v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (R1) | |
Simon Whitlock v Paolo Nebrida (R1) | |
Michael Smith v Doets/Buntz (R2) | |
Saturday December 16 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Lee Evans v Sandro Eric Sosing (R1) | Jamie Hughes v David Cameron (R1) |
Connor Scutt v Krzysztof Kciuk (R1) | Keane Barry v Reynaldo Rivera (R1) |
Jules van Dongen v Darren Penhall (R1) | Scott Williams v Haruki Muramatsu (R1) |
Dave Chisnall v Menzies/Rodriguez (R2) | Gary Anderson v Whitlock/Nebrida (R2) |
Sunday December 17 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Ricky Evans v Simon Adams (R1) | Dylan Slevin v Florian Hempel (R1) |
Jim Williams v Norman Madhoo (R1) | Niels Zonneveld v Darren Webster (R1) |
Matt Campbell v Lourence Ilagan (R1) | Jermaine Wattimena v Fallon Sherrock (R1) |
Joe Cullen v Van Dongen/Penhall (R2) | Luke Humphries v L Evans/Eric Sosing (R2) |
Monday December 18 | |
Afternoon Session (No Play) | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Mario Vandenbogaerde v Thibault Tricole (R1) | |
Gian van Veen v Man Lok Leung (R1) | |
Martin Lukeman v Haupai Puha (R1) | |
Gerwyn Price v Scutt/Kciuk (R2) | |
Tuesday December 19 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Ian White v Tomoya Goto (R1) | Steve Beaton v Wessel Nijman (R1) |
Ritchie Edhouse v Jeffrey de Graaf (R1) | Mike De Decker v Dragutin Horvat (R1) |
Keegan Brown v Boris Krcmar (R1) | Ricardo Pietreczko v Mikuru Suzuki (R1) |
James Wade v Campbell/Ilagan (R2) | Michael van Gerwen v Barry/Rivera (R2) |
Wednesday December 20 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Radek Szaganski v Marko Kantele (R1) | Ryan Joyce v Alex Spellman (R1) |
Steve Lennon v Owen Bates (R1) | Richard Veenstra v Ben Robb (R1) |
William O'Connor v Bhav Patel (R1) | Christian Kist v Luke Littler (R1) |
Ross Smith v Zonneveld/Webster (R2) | Peter Wright v J Williams/Madhoo (R2) |
Thursday December 21 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Mickey Mansell v Xiaochen Zong (R1) | Andrew Gilding v Kist/Littler (R2) |
Luke Woodhouse v Berry van Peer (R1) | Danny Noppert v S Williams/Muramatsu (R2) |
Madars Razma v De Decker/Horvat (R2) | Gabriel Clemens v Van Veen/Leung (R2) |
Rob Cross v Vandenbogaerde/Tricole (R2) | Damon Heta v Lukeman/Puha (R2) |
Friday December 22 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Brendan Dolan v Mansell/Zong (R2) | Dimitri Van den Bergh v Slevin/Hempel (R2) |
Jose de Sousa v Edhouse/De Graaf (R2) | Martin Schindler v Wattimena/Sherrock (R2) |
Krzysztof Ratajski v Hughes/Cameron (R2) | Raymond van Barneveld v Szaganski/Kantele (R2) |
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Brown/Krcmar (R2) | Chris Dobey v O’Connor/Patel (R2) |
Saturday December 23 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Kim Huybrechts v Veenstra/Robb (R2) | Ryan Searle v White/Goto (R2) |
Callan Rydz v Pietreczko/Suzuki (R2) | Josh Rock v Woodhouse/Van Peer (R2) |
Jonny Clayton v Lennon/Bates (R2) | Stephen Bunting v Joyce/Spellman (R2) |
Daryl Gurney v Beaton/Nijman (R2) | Nathan Aspinall v R Evans/Adams (R2) |
Christmas Break December 24, 25, 26 |
|
Wednesday December 27 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
TBC v TBC (R3) | TBC v TBC (R3) |
TBC v TBC (R3) | TBC v TBC (R3) |
TBC v TBC (R3) | TBC v TBC (R3) |
Thursday December 28 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
TBC v TBC (R3) | TBC v TBC (R3) |
TBC v TBC (R3) | TBC v TBC (R3) |
TBC v TBC (R3) | TBC v TBC (R3) |
Friday December 29 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Third Round x3 | Third Round x1 / Fourth Round x2 |
Saturday December 30 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Fourth Round x3 | Fourth Round x3 |
New Years Eve Break December 31 |
|
Monday January 1 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7pm GMT |
Quarter-Finals x2 | Quarter-Finals x2 |
Tuesday January 2 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7.30pm GMT |
Semi-Finals x2 | |
Wednesday January 3 | |
Afternoon Session 12.30pm GMT | Evening Session 7.30pm GMT |
Final |
First Round - Best of five sets (no tie-break)
Second Round - Best of five sets
Third Round - Best of seven sets
Fourth Round - Best of seven sets
Quarter-Finals - Best of nine sets
Semi-Finals - Best of 11 sets
Final - Best of 13 sets
A tie-break will be in operation from the second round onwards, where the final set must be won by two clear legs. If the score reaches five-all, the 11th leg will be a sudden-death leg.
Printable PDC, WDF, WSDT and UKDA Dart Events calendars are available on this website. Please select the calendar from the calendar tab above. Due to the frequency of change, please check the last updated date at the top of each calendar and the governing body or organisers websites for further changes. PDC | WDF | WDST | UKDA
Many viewers will know I have written several successful dart websites over the past twenty years, each with their own spin on the sport. I have also written a few professional player's websites you may have encountered. My love of the game has never diminished, and with over forty years of playing the game, I would like to share as much about darts the game, the sport, the history and the development of the game.
This website is new and fresh, and I have learned from my experience as a player, developer and designer to hopefully bring you a little more to the sport millions love and play every week.
This website contains information regarding the '01 game played by all, plus the many UK regional dartboard differences of both past and present. Player's nicknames, music, dart checkout charts and basic tournament charts are available to download and print for personal use. There will be something on this website for everyone, even if it is a quick look at the facts and myths surrounding the sport.
As a player, I would rate myself as a good pub league player. I never ventured into major competition except for the first year of the PDC UK Open. I won locally but was unable to attend regional knockouts. Today, I tend to watch as a keen supporter of the sport and love to see people enjoying it, even if it is only over a friendly pint or two.
My thanks go to the major dart organisations, dart manufacturers, suppliers, the darts historian Dr Patrick Chaplin, darts legend Trina Gulliver MBE, Mark McGeeney and the many others that have helped me over the years to develop this website and many other dart websites. More details can be found on my acknowledgement page. See footer.
Darts501.com – UK Darts Knowledge at it’s best.
An increased number of visitors have contacted me about players walk-on music and nicknames. Some of you have kindly supplied me with more information; therefore, I have updated both the players' nicknames and walk-on pages on this site. I hope to add a few more in the near future, but in the meantime if you know anymore or if any player has since changed either their Nickname or walk-on, please let me know via my contact page.
The revised nickname and walk-on music pages now include several WDDA players.
I do realise there several missing of missing nicknames and walk-on. However, I add more to the lists all the time.
In 2001, the former British Darts Organisation (BDO) introduced a Ladies World Darts Championship, which England's Trina Gulliver MBE won. Trina has won this event for seven consecutive years and made the final again in 2008 and 2009, but only to lose to a new up-and-coming star, Anastasia Dobromyslova from Russia in 2008 and Francis Hoenselaar from Holland in 2009. In 2010, Trina again regained the title, beating Rhian Edwards from Wales 2-0. She repeated this feat in 2011, again beating Rhain Edwards by the same margin of 2-0. In 2016, Trina won the World Darts title, making her the most successful lady darts player in the World, with a record-breaking Ten World Titles. Trina has been awarded the MBE for services to darts and charitable fundraising.
In 2008, Lady's dart player Anastasia Dobromyslova moved away from the BDO to the PDC. Anastasia played in a preliminary qualifying round for the PDC World Darts Championship 2009 but lost to Dutchman Remco van Eijden 5 legs to 3. She also tried to qualify for the 2010 championship but failed. Anastasia moved back to the BDO in late 2010 / early 2011, and in 2012, she won the BDO / WDF Ladies Worlds Darts Championship for the second time and then again in January 2013.
In 2007, the PDC introduced the first Youth World Championship. Arron Monk won this event, who beat Michael van Gerwen 6 - 4 in the final. However, in 2015, the BDO followed suit and introduced its own Youth World Championship. Sixteen-year-old Colin Roelofs from the Netherlands became the first victor, beating seventeen-year-old Harry Ward from England 3 - 0. Harry, unfortunately, didn't win a single leg in the final. However, I am sure we will see a lot more from these youth players in the future.
Lisa Ashton from Lancashire has since been dominant in the ladies' game, winning in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018. However, in 2019, Lisa was sensationally knocked out in the first round by the Japanese soft-tip star Mikuru Suzuki. Mikuru went on to win the 2019 Lakeside title, beating England's Lorraine Winstanley. Mikuru followed this up by winning the Dutch Open the following month. Mikura retained her title in 2020, beating the tournament favourite, Lisa Ashton. Since then, Beau Greave has dominated the ladies' darts scene and won the ultimate World Championship title in 2022
During the 2019 Lakeside World Championships, calls for a significant review of the ladies' prize fund and short match format were called into question. The winning prize for women was just £12,000 compared to the men's £100,000. The chairman of the BDO at the time said this would be reviewed.
2019 also witnessed a number of the top BDO players move to the more lucrative PDC. With £14M annual prize fund at the time and the BDO contract restrictions taken off, players flocked to win a PDC tour card. The PDC prize fund has steadily increased each year since.
Glen Durrant, who had just won his third consecutive BDO World title, and former BDO No.1 Mark McGeeney, were among the thirty successful players to win a two-year PDC tour card. They were joined by a few others that featured the BDO World Championship event, thus depleting the BDO's leading contenders. With the main BDO stars moving to the PDC, the BDO was left with the old guard to re-establish the once firm grip the BDO held in World Darts.
In 2020, with a new chairman on board, Des Jacklin, the BDO moved their world darts championship away from the Lakeside venue to the O2 Arena. The move was not met with overall approval from the loyal BDO darts fans, who decided not to attend in their thousands. The BDO world championship will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. The change of venue and the recent loss of professional darts referees all added to the BDO's misery. The promised prize money was slashed, and the conversation turned away from the players and directed to the chairman. The poor management left the BDO in debt, and the organisation's future in 2020 looked in doubt. Des Jacklin later resigned as chairman but was reinstated following a narrow county representative vote victory. However, Jacklin could not convince all, and there was a challenge to the BDO dominance in the UK.
The BDO had lost its status as it didn't represent a Country within the World Darts Federation (WDF) and lost its vote. The respective organisation had finally lost its support, and in 2020 several challenges were made to take over the running of the Inter-County Championships. The UK Counties voted for a new organisation, the UK Darts Association, to take over the running of the England and Welsh County Leagues. The 2021 British Inter-County Championships will now be known as the UK National League, Premier League, League One, Two, Three etc. The WDF introduced a World Darts Championship and World Masters, the first World Championships again being staged at the Lakeside Country Club in January 2022. The PDC now firmly run the professional side of darts, with more players competing to join each year.
In 2019, John Lowe, the former three-time World Darts Champion, was awarded an MBE in the UK in the late Queens New Year's Honours list. John became the second male dart player to be awarded the MBE. The late Eric Bristow was the first recipient in 1989. Until 2023, the only female player to receive such an award at this time was Trina Gulliver, the Women's ten-time World Darts Champion. In 2023, Fallon Sherrock was named in King Charles III's birthday honours and received the MBE honour.
Dart fans may question the above because Phil Taylor was to receive an MBE in 2001. However, he didn't receive it. The award medal was effectively annulled because he was found guilty of an indecent assault. Taylor denied the charges but had to pay £2,000 due to his conviction.
UK Awards given by the Crown are subject to conditions. One condition is a recipient's criminal record. Awards issued to others, not necessarily sports stars, that later have been found guilty of a crime also face losing awards and titles issued
In 2010, Russ Strobel submitted to Darts Australia a new recommended dartboard height for Wheelchair users. The height Russ has come up with is 137cm to the centre Bull. The height is based on the perceived origins of the standard clock dartboard's standard hanging height. It said the average height of a man in England, UK was 5'8" around the 1920s, the height of the centre bullseye of a standard board. Modern adjustments make that 173cm. Russ took this analogy and worked out the height of a man of 5'8" (173cm) be sitting in a wheelchair. His exact figure came out to be 136.5cm. However, as Russ explained, adding 0.5cm would make the recommended wheelchair dartboard height easy to remember, 137cm (wheelchair) - 173cm (Standard). Darts Australia accepted the concept of the new height for Wheelchair users, and in 2012, it was also accepted by the World Darts Federation. Read more about Disability Darts, which is featured on this website.
On this site, you will find a brief history of this intriguing sport and all the information you need to set up the dartboard and organise darting events. You can also learn how boards are constructed using sisal (a material used in rope making) and how dart weights, lengths, shafts and flights can alter the dart's flight.
The site also features traditional games played on today's standard dartboards, including some I have written and shared. There are also details on UK Regional dartboards, the Yorkshire and the Manchester log-end, to name just two. You can download rules, many games from here, and those all-important checkouts.
You will also find Practice routines to improve your accuracy scoring consistency, and information about maintaining your dartboard and darts. Many dart-related links are also linked to professional dart organisations, manufacturers, suppliers, and players. Thanks to them for their help and support in building this site.
I hope you enjoy the website. Your feedback is always welcome, and if you like the site, please inform others.
Darts501 was established in 2004, and from its humble beginnings and a few makeovers, the website has had well over 20 million viewers, and the increasing trend continues. On average, the website now attracts 1.6 - 2 million pa. However, this figure is vastly undervalued, with more people opting not to have their visit to this website recorded. Modern browsers and VPNs allow visitors to block information. Thanks to all that visit, and keep calling back to see regular updates.
Darts501 has received many good references from professional players, commentators and other writers of the sport. It has become a resource that professionals recommend to others.
Further research into the sport continues, including dartboards used across the UK over the past 100 years., plus the use of darts in war, including the Secret Service in MI9.
Enjoy reading.