Professional darts: What is the PDC's World Cup of Darts

The World Cup of Darts was not without controversy when the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) launched it in 2010. Debates about what nations qualified, who played for what side and whether the PDC should cross into this type of event were all points of contention.

PDC boss Barry Hearn had announced an attempt to buy the British Darts Organisation in 2009 but they rejected his offer. In a statement, following the BDO’s rejection, the PDC went on to arrange three brand new tournaments for 2010 to help the development of Youth, International and Women’s darts under their own banner. Thus the PDC Under-21 World Championship, the PDC Women’s World Championship, and the PDC World Cup of Darts were born.

From that point the World Cup of Darts underwent several incarnations. New formats, venues and then a fully revamped competition, as an exclusively pairs event, in 2023.

So far only England (5), Netherlands (4), Scotland (2), Wales (2) and Australia have lifted the trophy.

The winning teams have been dominated by legendary figures such as Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld as well as other world champions and major winners including Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price and many more. However teams were with lower ranlked players have caused huge shocks and even won the event. John Henderson, Co Stompe and Australia's Damon Heta have all lifted the prestigeous trophy.

It will be of interest to see if the latest changes produce a winner from outside darts’ major nations in the coming years. The surge in success of Belgian, German and Polish players and the efforts of Austria in the event itself suggests a possible continuation of the European domination, yet North America and several other regions are also blossoming once more.

Roll of Honour:

2010 Netherlands

(Raymond van Barneveld & Co Stompe) def Wales (Mark Webster & Barrie Bates) 4-2

2012 England

(Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis) def Australia (Simon Whitlock & Paul Nicholson) 4-3

2013 England

(Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis) def Belgium (Kim & Ronny Huybrechts) 3-1

2014 Netherlands

(Michael van Gerwen & Raymond van Barneveld) def England (Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis) 3-0

2015 England

(Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis) def Scotland (Gary Anderson & Peter Wright) 3-2

2016 England

(Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis) def Netherlands (Michael van Gerwen & Raymond van Barneveld) 3-2

2017 Netherlands

(Michael van Gerwen & Raymond van Barneveld) def Wales (Gerwyn Price & Mark Webster) 3-1

2018 Netherlands

(Michael van Gerwen & Raymond van Barneveld) def Scotland (Peter Wright & Gary Anderson) 3-1

2019 Scotland

(Gary Anderson & Peter Wright) def Republic of Ireland (Steve Lennon & William O’Connor) 3-1

2020 Wales

(Gerwyn Price & Jonny Clayton) def England (Michael Smith & Rob Cross) 3-0

2021 Scotland

(Peter Wright & John Henderson) def Austria (Mensur Suljovic & Rowby-John Rodriguez) 3-1

2022 Australia

(Damon Heta & Simon Whitlock) def Wales (Gerwyn Price & Jonny Clayton) 3-1

2023 Wales

(Gerwyn Price & Jonny Clayton) def Scotland (Peter Wright & Gary Anderson)

2024 England

(Luke Humphries & Michael Smith) def Austria (Mensur Suljovic & R J Rodríguez)

For the full Hall of Fame and more in depth coverage of everything darts, together with the latest issues of their legendary publications, head on over to dartsworld.com