If you thought it was just football and women’s cricket World Cups you had to watch this weekend, think again!
The World Cup of Darts will be arrowing on to your SuperSport screens, with South Africa set to take on Sweden in Thursday’s opening session.
England are clear favourites with the two Lukes – Littler and Humphries – back to try and win the competition for England for the second time in three years.
They world’s Nos 1 and 2 will also be looking to make up for 2025’s performance, where they embarrassingly lost to hosts Germany in the last 16.
The tournament returns to Frankfurt, with the Northern Ireland pair of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney looking to defend their title.
South Africa is represented by Graham Filby and Devon Petersen.
All the times are as follows:
11 June – Group stage, 7pm on SuperSport Africa 2 and Variety 3
12 June – Group stage, 12pm on SuperSport Africa 2 and Variety 3
12 June – Group stage, 7pm on SuperSport Africa 2 and Variety 3
13 June – Round of 16, 1pm on SuperSport Africa 2 and Variety 3
13 June – Round of 16, 7pm on SuperSport Africa 2 and Variety 3
14 June – Quarterfinals, 1pm on SuperSport Africa 2 and Variety 3
14 June – Semifinals and Final, 7pm on SuperSport Africa 2 and Variety 3
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
The tournament is played in a classic knockout system, starting with a group stage in the preliminary round. All matches in the tournament will be played in a pure doubles format.
The group stage will feature a Best of Seven legs format. The Last 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals will be contested in Best of 15 legs, while the decision in the grand final will come down to a Best of 19 legs battle. All legs are played in double-out mode.
Seeded Nations (straight through to Round of 16)
England (1)
Netherlands (2)
Northern Ireland (3)
Scotland (4)
There are 12 groups of three competing for the final 12 places in the Round of 16. SA features in Group F with Sweden (ranked 10) and Mongolia.
Scheduled matches in Thursday’s opening session:
Czechia v India
Croatia v Japan
Finland v Norway
Ireland v Singapore
Poland v Portugal
Sweden v South Africa
Latvia v Italy
Belgium v Hong Kong
Germany v Philippines
Wales v Lithuania
Austria v China
Australia v USA
PRIZE MONEY
In 2026, the total prize money for the World Cup of Darts has been increased to £500 000. The amounts are distributed per team.
Winners:
£100 000 (R2.2 million)
Runners-up:
£48 000
Semifinalists:
£30 000
Quarterfinalists:
£20 000
Last 16:
£10 000
Group 2nd Place:
£6 000
Group 3rd Place:
£5 000