The countdown to the 2026 PDC World Cup of Darts is picking up pace, with darts fans already checking calendars and booking travel. Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle will host the 16th edition of the team tournament in June 2026, and while many details are locked in — like the £500,000 prize fund and the return of defending champions Northern Ireland — some big questions still hang in the air. What you’ll find here is a clear, fact-checked guide to the dates, venue, broadcast options, player changes, and everything else you need to plan your World Cup of Darts experience.

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Year: 2026 ·
Location: Frankfurt, Germany ·
Venue: Eissporthalle ·
Prize fund: £500,000 ·
Teams: 40 nations ·
Defending champions: Josh Rock & Daryl Gurney

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact daily schedule still to be finalised by PDC
  • Full list of team pairings (some qualifiers pending)
  • International broadcast details beyond UK
3Timeline signal
  • June 2025: Northern Ireland win previous edition (DartsNews report)
  • Late 2025: Qualifying rounds begin (DartsNews report)
  • Feb 2026: Gerwyn Price withdraws from Wales team (DartsNews report)
  • 11–14 June 2026: Main tournament (DartsNews report)
4What’s next
  • Team announcements expected in early 2026
  • Tickets on sale via PDC official channels
  • Full draw released closer to event

Eight key facts set the stage for the 2026 tournament. The pattern is clear: the event has grown steadily, with a bigger field of 40 nations and a prize fund that’s remained consistent at half a million pounds.

Fact Details
Tournament PDC World Cup of Darts 2026
Edition 16th
Dates 11–14 June 2026 (DartsNews report)
Venue Eissporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany (PDC Europe event page)
Prize fund £500,000 (DartsNews report)
Number of teams 40 (DartsNews report)
Defending champions Josh Rock & Daryl Gurney (Northern Ireland) (PDC TV official page)
Broadcaster (UK) Sky Sports / ITV4 (PDC TV official page)
The upshot

With 40 nations and a £500,000 prize pot, the World Cup of Darts is now a genuinely global team event — not just a showcase for the usual suspects. For casual viewers, that means more matches and more surprises across the four days.

When and where is the World Cup of Darts?

The 2026 PDC World Cup of Darts will be held from Thursday 11 June to Sunday 14 June 2026 at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany (DartsNews report). This is the 16th edition of the tournament, which started in 2010. The venue has hosted the event since 2023.

The daily breakdown, based on ticket listings from Koobit ticket platform, is as follows:

  • Thursday 11 June – Group Stage Day 1 (round-robin matches start)
  • Friday 12 June – Group Stage Day 2
  • Saturday 13 June – Second Round (top seeds enter)
  • Sunday 14 June – Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final

The implication: If you’re planning to attend, the Thursday and Friday sessions give you the most darts for your money — 40 teams in action across multiple boards. Saturday and Sunday ratchet up the tension as the tournament narrows to one pair of champions.

What channel is the World Cup of Darts on tonight?

In the UK, Sky Sports holds the primary broadcast rights for the PDC World Cup of Darts (PDC TV official page). That means most matches will air on Sky Sports Main Event, Arena, or Mix. ITV4 will show selected coverage as part of their 2026 darts lineup — typically the weekend sessions. If you don’t have a Sky subscription, NOW TV offers a day or week pass for live streaming.

For international viewers, options include:

  • DAZN (selected markets, including parts of Europe)
  • PDC TV (official streaming service, with a subscription)
  • Local sports networks (check your local listings closer to the event)

Will the darts World Cup be on Sky?

Yes — Sky Sports is the exclusive UK pay-TV broadcaster. PDC TV official page confirms that the tournament is part of the standard PDC broadcasting agreement.

Is the darts on ITV4?

ITV4 will carry free-to-air highlights and a selection of live matches, typically from the knockout stages. This pattern has been in place since 2021 when ITV started sharing rights with Sky Sports.

The catch

If you rely solely on ITV4, you’ll miss most of the group-stage action. For full coverage, Sky Sports or NOW TV is the way to go. Internationally, PDC TV remains the most reliable single source.

Why has Gerwyn Price withdrawn from the World Cup?

Gerwyn Price withdrew from the 2026 World Cup of Darts in February 2026, citing personal reasons. In a statement to PDC media, Price said: “I need to step back and focus on my mental health and family at this time.” (PDC TV official page). The PDC confirmed his absence and wished him well.

Price’s withdrawal means Wales will send a different pairing than the one fans might have expected. The Welsh team now likely depends on the next-ranked available players, though the PDC has not yet announced the replacement pair. This is a significant blow for Wales, who reached the quarter-finals in 2025 with Price.

Bottom line: Gerwyn Price is out of the 2026 World Cup. For Wales, the loss of their highest-ranked player makes a deep run harder. For casual fans, the tournament becomes more open — England, Scotland, and the Netherlands now look even stronger.

Is Luke Littler playing in the World Cup of darts?

Yes — Luke Littler will represent England alongside Luke Humphries in the 2026 World Cup of Darts. Littler’s participation was confirmed after his breakthrough 2025 season, which included major tournament wins and a climb into the world’s top 10 (DartsNews report). At 19, he is one of the youngest players ever to compete in the World Cup.

Littler and Humphries form a formidable English pairing — both have won televised titles and have strong stage experience. Their chemistry in doubles play will be one of the storylines of the tournament.

What to watch

Littler’s heavy scoring and Humphries’ finishing could make England the team to beat. But team darts is unpredictable — a cold night from either player can sink the pair.

Which teams are competing in the 2026 World Cup of Darts?

The field includes 40 nations, the largest in World Cup history. The top four seeds — England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, and Scotland — enter in the second round (DartsNews report). The remaining 36 nations start in the group stage, playing a round-robin format before knockout rounds.

Germany (PDC Europe event page), Belgium, and Croatia are among the nations that will begin in Round 1. The full team list, including pairings, is expected to be published on the PDC website in early 2026.

The pattern: The top seeds are repeat contenders, but the expanded field — up from 32 teams in 2024 — means more diversity. Nations like India, China, and South Africa have growing darts scenes, and their pairs could spring early upsets.

Timeline: Key milestones to the 2026 World Cup

  • June 2025 – Previous edition held in Frankfurt; Northern Ireland (Rock & Gurney) win the title (DartsNews report)
  • Late 2025 – Qualifying rounds for 2026 tournament begin
  • Early 2026 – Team announcements; Gerwyn Price withdraws in February 2026
  • 11–14 June 2026 – Main event at Eissporthalle
Bottom line: For fans, the key date is June 11 — that’s when the darts start flying. The PDC has built a steady annual schedule, and the 2026 edition promises to be the most competitive yet.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 2026 event in Frankfurt at Eissporthalle (PDC Europe event page)
  • Prize fund of £500,000 (DartsNews report)
  • 40 teams competing (DartsNews report)
  • Gerwyn Price withdrawal (PDC TV official page)
  • Luke Littler and Luke Humphries represent England (DartsNews report)
  • Sky Sports and ITV4 broadcasting in UK (PDC TV official page)

What’s unclear

  • Exact daily schedule beyond group stages (to be confirmed by PDC)
  • Full list of teams and pairings (some still to qualify)
  • Specific broadcast schedule for international markets

Quotes from the key players

“I need to step back and focus on my mental health and family at this time.”

— Gerwyn Price, in a statement to PDC

“We are thrilled to bring the World Cup back to Frankfurt with an expanded field.”

— PDC Chief Executive (via PDC Europe event page)

Additional sources

darts-uk.co.uk, stubhub.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is the World Cup of Darts format?

The tournament starts with a round-robin group stage, with 40 teams split into groups. The top teams advance to knockout rounds. All matches are doubles, with a mix of 501 and other formats used each leg (PDC TV official page).

How do teams qualify for the World Cup of Darts?

Each nation is represented by two players. The top nations qualify based on the combined ranking of their players. Smaller darts nations earn spots through regional qualifying events. The PDC publishes the official qualification criteria each year.

Who are the previous winners of the World Cup of Darts?

The most recent winners are Northern Ireland (2025 – Josh Rock & Daryl Gurney). Earlier champions include Wales, England, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The full list is on the PDC TV official page.

Can I watch the World Cup of Darts on free-to-air TV?

Yes – ITV4 will broadcast selected matches free-to-air in the UK, primarily during the weekend knockout stages. For full coverage, a Sky Sports subscription or NOW TV pass is needed.

How much do World Cup of Darts tickets cost?

Ticket prices vary by session. Early group-stage sessions are typically cheaper than finals day. Check the official PDC Europe event page for exact prices and availability.

Are there any age restrictions for attending live?

Children under 16 can attend with a paying adult. Some venues have specific age policies; check the ticket provider’s terms before buying.

What is the difference between PDC World Cup and WDF World Cup?

The PDC World Cup is for Professional Darts Corporation players, using a pairs format with national teams. The WDF World Cup is run by the World Darts Federation, often includes amateur players, and uses a different scoring format. They are separate events with different players and prize funds.

Bottom line: The 2026 PDC World Cup of Darts promises four days of team darts action with 40 nations, a £500,000 prize, and a dramatic player withdrawal. For fans in the UK, Sky Sports and ITV4 offer coverage; internationally, PDC TV is the go-to. The tournament is shaping up to be the most competitive yet.

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