With broadcast coverage once again secured in partnership with S4C, the World Darts Federation has officially confirmed key details for the 2025 WDF World Championships, including the prize structure, competition format, and draw date.
This year’s event will return to the iconic Lakeside Country Club – ‘The Home of World Darts’ – running from Friday, 28 November to Sunday, 7 December 2025, where four new World Champions will be crowned across the Men’s (Open), Women’s, Youth and Girls’ tournaments.
PRIZE FUNDThe total prize fund for the 2025 Championships will remain unchanged from last year, standing at £221,000 – continuing to represent the most substantial purse for a series of tournaments outside of the PDC.
The Open winner will again receive £50,000, while the Women’s Champion will collect £25,000, the highest single prize available in any women’s darts competition worldwide.
PRIZE BREAKDOWN
Open Winner: £50,000
Runner-Up: £16,000
Semi-Finalists: £8,000
Quarter-Finalists: £4,000
Last 16: £2,000
Last 32: £1,250
Last 48: £750
Womens Winner: £25,000
Runner-Up: £8,000
Semi-Finalists: £4,000
Quarter-Finalists: £2,000
Last 16: £1,000
Last 24: £750
Youth Winner: £3,000
Runner-Up: £1,500
Semi-Finalists: £1,000
Quarter-Finalists: £500
Girls Winner: £1,500
Runner-Up: £1,000
Semi-Finalists: £500
DRAW AND QUALIFICATION The qualification window for this year’s World Championships will conclude immediately after the WDF World Masters on Saturday, 1 November 2025, followed by the Last Chance Qualifiers in Budapest on Sunday, 2 November.
Once qualification is finalised, the official draw for all four tournaments will take place on 2 November and be broadcast live via the WDF YouTube channel.
Provisional qualification lists for each event are already available on the WDF website, providing an early look at the prospective Lakeside line-ups.
FORMAT AND SCHEDULE
The full match schedule will be finalised and made public no later than Wednesday, 5 November, following feedback and consultation with players.
Several format changes have been introduced for 2025 to enhance the balance and quality of matches across all categories. Key adjustments include:
The Open First Round extended from best-of-three to best-of-five sets.
Women’s Quarter-Finals, Youth Semi-Finals, and the Girls’ Final also upgraded to best-of-five sets.
The Youth Final will now be played over best-of-seven sets for the first time.
To streamline scheduling, afternoon sessions will be removed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with earlier start times for evening sessions to ensure a more consistent flow of play.
PLAYING TIMETABLE
The action begins on Friday, 28 November, featuring six First Round matches from the Open category. Two of those winners will return to the Lakeside stage on Saturday evening to contest their Last 32 encounters.
The Last 48 of the Open and the Women’s First Round will both conclude on Sunday evening, ensuring a strong start to the week’s action.
The Last 16 of the Open takes place on Thursday, 4 December, alongside two Youth Quarter-Finals and the final Women’s Last 16 matches.
The remaining Youth Quarter-Finals and all Open and Women’s Quarter-Finals will follow on Friday, 5 December.
Semi-Final Saturday on 6 December will determine the finalists across all four tournaments, leading to a fitting finale on Sunday, 7 December, when champions in the Open, Women’s, Youth, and Girls’ categories will be crowned.
MATCH FORMATS
Open First Round – Best of 5 sets (increased from 3)
Second Round – Best of 5 sets
Last 16 – Best of 5 sets
Quarter-Finals – Best of 7 sets
Semi-Finals – Best of 9 sets
Final – Best of 11 sets
WomenFirst Round – Best of 3 sets
Last 16 – Best of 3 sets
Quarter-Finals – Best of 5 sets (increased from 3)
Semi-Finals – Best of 5 sets
Final – Best of 7 sets
Boys (Youth)Quarter-Finals – Best of 3 sets
Semi-Finals – Best of 5 sets (increased from 3)
Final – Best of 7 sets (increased from 5)
Girls Semi-Finals – Best of 3 sets
Final – Best of 5 sets (increased from 3)
TICKETS AND VENUE
Having already hosted 37 World Darts Championships, the Lakeside Country Club will once again provide the sport’s most historic and intimate atmosphere.
Now managed directly by the WDF, ticket prices have been revised to be more accessible and fan-friendly than in previous years, ensuring supporters can enjoy ten days of world-class tungsten from Friday, 28 November to Sunday, 7 December 2025.
The Lakeside remains not just a venue, but a symbol of the sport’s enduring legacy – and in 2025, it will once again take centre stage as the world’s best compete for glory.
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Images: WDF
