The 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt delivered a spectacle of high drama, culminating in Northern Ireland’s historic first title as Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney edged out Wales in a nail-biting 10-9 final. The tournament, held at the Eissporthalle from June 12-15, saw 40 nations compete in a unique pairs format, with a total prize fund of £450,000 up for grabs. However, the story wasn’t just about the victors’ triumph; it was also about the stunning second-round exit of pre-tournament favorites Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, whose early departure left them with a modest payday and sparked fierce debate about their lack of unity, as highlighted by Welsh star Gerwyn Price. The prize money breakdown reveals stark contrasts, with Northern Ireland’s champions pocketing a fortune compared to England’s humbled duo.
Northern Ireland’s Rock and Gurney, ranked 17th and 25th in the PDC Order of Merit, defied expectations as fourth seeds. Facing immense pressure in the final, Gurney sealed the victory with a clutch double eight in the deciding leg, despite missing four match darts earlier. “Me and Daryl said we’ll win this World Cup; I wasn’t expecting it to be the first time,” Rock told reporters, his voice trembling with emotion. Gurney, 39, praised his partner’s “power scoring,” adding, “I was there to clean up the finishing. I’ve never been so proud of this man and myself.” Their emotional triumph earned them £80,000 to split (£40,000 each), a life-changing sum for a pair that started as underdogs behind England, Wales, and Scotland.
Wales, represented by two-time champions Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, fought valiantly to the final, overcoming the Philippines, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. Despite their 8-5 semifinal win over Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen, they fell just short against Northern Ireland. Price, never one to shy away from candor, reflected on their loss but turned heads with his critique of England’s performance. “The only two players that didn’t turn up together, didn’t sit together, didn’t play as a team,” he said of Littler and Humphries, labeling their effort “rubbish.” The Welsh duo’s runner-up finish earned them £50,000 (£25,000 each), a respectable haul for their cohesive campaign.
England’s Littler and Humphries, the world’s top two players, were expected to dominate. Fresh off MBEs and with Humphries’ 2024 title alongside Michael Smith, their debut as a pair was billed as unstoppable. Yet, Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko, fueled by a raucous home crowd of 3,500, dismantled them 8-4 in the second round. Littler’s struggles with doubles and the duo’s lack of synergy were glaring, with pundit Wayne Mardle noting, “The pressure got to them at some point and they buckled.” Schindler, who had called England “beatable,” proved his point, saying, “We believed in ourselves, and that was the key.” England’s early exit netted them just £9,000 (£4,500 each)—a paltry sum compared to their usual earnings, marking one of their smallest paydays of the year.
Germany and the Netherlands, both semifinalists, each earned £30,000 (£15,000 per player) for their impressive runs. Germany’s upset over England was a highlight, with Pietreczko’s clutch double 16s sealing the victory. The Netherlands, led by Noppert and van Veen, whitewashed Scotland 8-0 but couldn’t overcome Wales. Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, like England, exited in the second round, also earning £9,000 (£4,500 each) after a humbling defeat.
The tournament’s unpredictability underscored the unique demands of the pairs format, where chemistry is as crucial as skill. Price’s stinging remarks about England’s lack of “team ethic” resonated, as Northern Ireland’s unity propelled them to glory. “Josh’s power scoring was amazing,” Gurney reiterated, highlighting their seamless partnership. As the darts world shifts focus to the Betfred World Matchplay, where Humphries defends his title and Littler seeks redemption, the World Cup’s prize money and drama serve as a reminder: in darts, camaraderie can be the difference between a modest cheque and a champion’s purse.
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