As the darts world turns its gaze to Frankfurt, Germany, for the 2025 World Cup of Darts, all eyes are on England’s dynamic duo, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, who are poised to defend their nation’s title from June 12 to 15. The 15th edition of this prestigious team event promises high-stakes drama, with a £450,000 prize fund up for grabs and the top two players in the world rankings leading England’s charge. For Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion, and Humphries, the world number one, the tournament offers not only a chance to cement their dominance but also to pocket a significant payday. “The World Cup is a special event, representing your country,” Humphries has said, reflecting the pride and passion fueling their campaign. “We’re ready to give it a proper go.”
The World Cup of Darts, held at the Eissporthalle Frankfurt, features 40 nations, each represented by two players, in a unique format that alternates between singles and doubles pairs matches. England, seeded first, benefits from a bye into the second round, joining Wales, Netherlands, and Scotland as top seeds. The remaining 36 teams are divided into 12 groups of three, with group winners advancing to the knockout stages. Matches in the group phase are best-of-7 legs, while the second round, quarter-finals, and semi-finals are best-of-11 legs, with the final a best-of-15 legs showdown. The winning pair will share £80,000, a substantial sum that underscores the tournament’s growing stature. “It’s a proper team effort,” Littler noted, emphasizing the synergy required. “You’ve got to trust your partner and feed off each other’s energy.”
For Littler, this marks his World Cup debut, a milestone in his meteoric career. At just 18, he has already shattered records, becoming the youngest PDC World Champion in January 2025 with a 7-1 rout of Michael van Gerwen, earning £500,000. His blistering form continued in the Premier League, where he clinched five nightly wins, and he recently fell just short of defending his 2024 title, losing 11-8 to Humphries in the 2025 final. Humphries, meanwhile, is no stranger to the World Cup, having partnered Michael Smith to victory in 2024. His 2025 Premier League triumph, worth £275,000, added to his illustrious resume, which includes the World Championship, World Matchplay, and now the darting ‘Triple Crown.’ “This one means the world to me,” Humphries said after his Premier League win. “It’s the one I was missing.”
The £450,000 prize fund is distributed across the field, with the runners-up splitting £50,000, semi-finalists sharing £30,000, and quarter-finalists taking £20,000. Teams reaching the last 16 earn £9,000, while group stage runners-up and third-placed teams receive £5,000 and £4,000, respectively. For England, the financial stakes are secondary to national pride, but the £40,000 per player for a win would be a welcome bonus. Littler, known for his modest spending—previously citing Under Armour tracksuits and FIFA points as his splurges—joked about his plans: “Maybe I’ll get a few more tracksuits, but it’s all about the trophy.” Humphries, who has spoken candidly about netting around 65-70% of his winnings after taxes and management fees, sees the prize as validation of his hard work. “You look at it and think, ‘This is amazing,’” he said of his early paydays.
England faces stiff competition, with Wales’ Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton aiming for their second title in three years, and the Netherlands’ Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode eager to reclaim glory. Host nation Germany, led by Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens, will have the home crowd’s support, while Scotland’s Peter Wright and Gary Anderson remain formidable. The tournament’s global appeal is evident in nations like Australia, Belgium, and even debutants like Hong Kong, showcasing darts’ expanding reach.
Littler and Humphries, who share a fierce rivalry—Littler led their head-to-head 13-9 before Humphries’ 2025 Premier League win—must synchronize their talents to succeed. Littler’s heavy scoring and rapid pace complement Humphries’ clinical finishing, making them a formidable pair. “Darts has gone crazy since young Luke came along,” said 16-time world champion Phil Taylor, crediting Littler’s emergence for the sport’s surge in popularity. With 3.7 million viewers tuning into the 2024 World Championship final, the World Cup is set to draw a massive audience.
As Frankfurt prepares for four days of darting drama, Littler and Humphries carry England’s hopes and the weight of their own ambitions. A victory would not only secure £80,000 but also reinforce their status as the sport’s standard-bearers. For fans, it’s a chance to witness two generational talents unite for glory, proving that in darts, the only thing sharper than their throws is their hunger for success.
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