Despite the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of grass roots competition and global travel, the World Darts Federation are happy to announce the full qualification criteria for the 2021 WDF World Masters.
This prestigious and historic tournament featuring separate competitions for Men, Women, Boys and Girls is set to relaunch under the banner of the WDF and will be staged for the first time at the Bonte Weaver, Assen in the Netherlands (2-5 December 2021). WDF World Masters launch announcement can be seen HERE.
Following consultation between the WDF and many of its member countries over recent weeks, we can now confirm full details on how players will qualify for the World Masters. Every effort has been made to ensure that numerous opportunities are in place for players who achieve success within the WDF system to take part, and that those opportunities are available to players from all member countries.
The 2021 WDF World Masters Men’s and Women’s qualification criteria is summarised below, and can be viewed in full detail HERE.
(number of invitations for each country based on the following)
Similar qualification criteria has also been set for the youth tournaments (though some details vary), and can be viewed in full HERE.
Current WDF rules state that youth players must be under the age of 18 to compete in the WDF Boys/Girls World Masters, therefore any player that qualifies via youth competition but turns 18 prior to the event will be added to the Men’s/Women’s World Masters field.
An initial cut-off date for qualification based on any of the above criteria has been set for Monday 4th October 2021 (following the WDF World Cup) so as to confirm those players that have already qualified and to enable member countries the opportunity to arrange/confirm their own additional qualifiers if required.
Opportunities to qualify via WDF rankings tables and tournaments will continue until the final cut-off date on Monday 29th November 2021. Should any new players qualify via ranking events/tables within that Oct/Nov period, they will be given the option to defer their World Masters invitation to 2022.
We look forward to introducing new innovations to the WDF World Masters, including the opening stages being played in group format. Further information regarding the tournament format, prize money, hotel/ticket packages and broadcast details will be made available in due course.
Richard Ashdown
WDF Chief Development Officer
