The 2024 WDF World Masters, the 2024 WDF World Open and the 2024 WDF World Championship Qualifiers will take place across the five days, Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 October ensuring an exciting festival of darts for players from across the world with all matches being played at the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary.
This document gives players and spectators all of the information needed to ensure a successful week!
Player Entries
- Entries into the World Masters were restricted to invited players only and entries closed on Monday 30 September 2024
- Any players can still enter the WDF World Open and/or the World Championship qualifiers as entries have been extended and now close on Wednesday 9 October
- Should a player qualify for the World Championships before the World Championship qualifiers are played, they will receive a full refund
- Players must have been under the age of 18 on 31 December 2023 to be eligible to play in any of the Youth tournaments.
- Youth players will be asked to show proof of age (passport would be the suggested document), when registering for tournaments
- Players should check the entry lists detailed on the WDF website to ensure they are detailed as having entered the relevant tournaments
- Should any player have a receipt for a tournament they have entered but they do not appear on the entry list for that tournament, please contact the WDF via Secretary@dartswdf.com and PR@dartswdf.com
Registration and Draw
- It is the responsibility of every player to register at the venue ahead of each tournament they have entered.
- The times for players to register is detailed in the “Full Schedule” section (below)
- If a player does not register, they will not be entered into the draw
- The draw for each tournament will be made once registration has closed
Seeding
- Players will be seeded at the start of each tournament
- Seedings will be based the WDF Main Ranking Table positions on Wednesday 2 October (in line with Rule 9.07 of the WDF World Ranking Systems Criteria rules)
- The World Championship qualification tournaments will not be seeded
World Masters
- The World Masters will begin with Round Robin groups containing 4 or 5 players
- Seedings for the World Masters will be based on the number of groups:
- 8 groups = 8 seeded players
- 16 to 31 groups = 16 seeded players
- 32 – 63 groups = 32 seeded players
- 64 or more groups = 64 seeded players
- DartConnect will detail the order of play and the marker for each group match
- Should any player not complete all their Round Robin matches, all that player’s matches will be removed from the Round Robin Group results table.
- At the conclusion of the Round Robin Group stages the top two players from each group will continue into the knockout stages of the tournament.
- If two players have the same number of wins, leg difference will be used to determine the higher placed player
- Should leg difference be equal, the result of the match played between the two tied players will be used to determine the higher placed player
- If three or more players are tied on the same number of wins, leg difference will be used to determine the higher placed player
- Should leg difference be equal, wins and then leg difference in the results between the tied players will be used to determine the higher placed player
- Where players cannot be separated, one tie-break leg will be played with all players playing on one board
- The throwing order shall be established by a Bull throw with lots drawn to decide the order of the throw for the Bull
- The winner of the leg qualifies from the group
- Where two qualifiers are required, the leg continues with the remaining players until a second player has finished their leg
- The draw for the World Masters knockout stages will be published at the conclusion of the Roud Robin Group stages
World Open and World Championship Qualifiers
- The World Open and World Championship Qualifiers are played in the knockout format.
Markers
- For the World Masters knockout stages, first round of matches in the World Open and first round of matches in the World Championship Qualifiers, markers will be detailed by DartConnect.
- For all further matches in the World Masters knockout stages, World Open and World Championship Qualifiers, losers must stay and mark the next match.
- Should any player not stay to mark, (or not find a person to mark on their behalf), they will be disqualified from all remaining tournaments as well as from the World Masters, WDF World Open and WDF World Championship Qualifier in 2025.
General Rules
- All tournaments will be played using the DartConnect system
- Matches will not be announced across a microphone – it is each players responsibility to report to their board at the correct time for playing or marking
- Players should use the screens in the venue and the “Board Calls” functionality within DartConnect to ensure they know when they need to play and/or mark
- Any player or marker that does not report to their board at the correct time, runs the risk of being disqualified by the Tournament Director
- Before a game starts, each player is allowed to throw six practice darts
- Players will throw for the bull to decide who starts the first leg.
- The player who is listed first on DartConnect will throw for the bull first
- Darts that enter the 25 or bull should be removed from the board
- Darts that land outside of the 25 should remain in the board with the nearest darts to the bull being declared as the winner of the bull
- The winner of the bull will start all odd numbered legs
- All questions concerning score checks must be asked before the player throws again
- In the playing area, drinking alcohol and/or smoking is forbidden. Players who ignore these rules will receive a warning; a second warning will mean a player being taken out of the tournament immediately
- During the tournaments, photos and videos of all matches, players and visitors can be made for promotional purposes. Players and visitors commit themselves to this by means of registration or visiting the events.
- Entered players/visitors are committed to the WDFs promotion and sponsorship policy
- This means, amongst other things, that the WDF has the right to protect the interest of their sponsors and because of this, disallow sponsor badges and/or other (commercial) expressions.
- It is forbidden to deliberately influence or manipulate the course and outcome of a game by cheating or deliberately losing. This will be considered as match fixing.
- All players should be aware that drug testing could occur at any WDF tournament
- All youth players should be aware that alcohol consumption testing could occur at any WDF tournament
- If not mentioned in this document, the WDF Playing and Tournament Rules, along with the WDF World Ranking Systems Criteria Rules will be applied.
- In cases in which these rules cannot be applied, the Tournament Director’s decision shall be final
Dress Code
- Players should wear collared shirts, trousers or skirts, (no denim) and dark shoes including sneakers (in line with commonly worn darts shoes)
- Players who play on stage may be required to wear a patch of the main sponsor, if provided by the WDF
Prize Money
- Prize money distribution for the WDF World Masters and the WDF World Open can be found on the WDF Calendar by selecting the relevant tournament
- All prize money will be paid out by bank transfer and will be paid by no later than Thursday 31 October
- Players will receive a prize money form before the start of the round in which prize money can be won
- Players are required to complete and return the prize money form by no later than Sunday 13 October
- Players will require their IBAN and BIC codes to be able to complete the form correctly.
- Failure to complete and return the Prize Money form will delay payment.
- If a player does not attend the prize ceremony, they lose the right to receive a trophy and/or prize money.
- There will be no prize money for the World Championship qualifiers.
- All players that qualify for and play in the WDF World Championships will be guaranteed first round prize money from the 2024 WDF World Championships.
Watch and Follow
The WDF will make the longest running darts major available to view across the globe via the WDF YouTube Channel.
In addition, the semi-finals and finals of the World Masters will be covered on Hungarian TV on Saturday 12 October. Further details on timings can be found below.
All matches will also be available to view on DartConnect and there will be extensive coverage on our social media channels, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Spectators Welcome!
Spectators are welcome to come along to view the action for free except for the semi-finals and finals of the World Masters.
Tickets to watch both the semi-finals and finals of the World Masters can be purchased here.
Tickets to watch all eight World Masters semi-finals can be purchased here.
Tickets to watch the four finals can be purchased here.
Full Schedule
Tuesday 8 October
16:00 – 21:00
Both Men and Women can register to play in the World Masters at the Registration desk at the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
Players can also pick up their wristbands and lunch/dinner vouchers (where applicable)
Wednesday 9 October
09:00 – 10:30
Both Men and Women can register to play in the World Masters at the Registration desk in the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
Players can also pick up their wristbands and lunch/dinner vouchers (where applicable)
11:00 – circa 14:00
Play in the Round Robin Groups of the Women’s World Masters begins and continues until all Round Robin group matches are played.
13:00 – 14:30
Men can register to play in the World Masters at the Registration desk in the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
15:00 – circa 19:00
Play in the Round Robin Groups of the Men’s World Masters begins and continues until all Round Robin group matches are played
Thursday 10 October
09:00 – 10:30
Boys and Girls can register to play in the World Masters at the Registration desk in the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
NOTE: Youth Players will be asked to show proof of age (passport would be the suggested document), in order that their age can be verified.
11:00 – circa 17:30
The knockout stages of the Men’s and Women’s World Masters will be played down to and including the quarter-finals.
Play in the Round Robin Groups of the Boys and Girls World Masters will begin and continues until all Round Robin group matches are played.
The knockout stages of the Boy’s and Girl’s World Masters will be played following the conclusion of the Round Robin Group stages and will play down to and including the quarter-finals.
Friday 11 October
09:00 – 10:30
Men, Women, Boys and Girls can register to play in the World Open at the Registration desk in the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
NOTE: Youth Players will be asked to show proof of age (passport would be the suggested document), in order that their age can be verified.
11:00 – circa 19:00
Play will begin in the Men’s, Women’s and Boys World Open events and will be played to a conclusion.
12:30 – 13:30
Girls can register to play in the World Open at the Registration desk in the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
NOTE: Youth Players will be asked to show proof of age (passport would be the suggested document), in order that their age can be verified.
14:30 – circa 19:00
Play will begin in the Girls World Open event and will be played to a conclusion.
Saturday 12 October
08:00 – 09:00
Boys and Girls can register to play in the World Championship qualifying tournaments at the Registration desk in the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
NOTE: Youth Players will be asked to show proof of age (passport would be the suggested document), in order that their age can be verified.
9:30 – circa 13:00
Play will begin in the Boys and Girls World Championship qualifying tournaments and will be played to a conclusion, with four boys and two girls qualifying for the WDF Lakeside World Championships.
13:00
The eight semi-finals of the World Masters will be played on stage and live on Hungarian TV.
18:00
The four finals of the World Masters will be played on stage and live on Hungarian TV.
Sunday 13 October
08:30 – 10:00
Men and Women can register to play in the World Championship qualifying tournaments at the Registration desk in the BOK Gerevich Aladár National Sports Hall
10:30 – no later than 17:00
Play will begin in the Men’s and Women’s World Championship qualifying tournaments and will be played to a conclusion, with four men and two women qualifying for the WDF Lakeside World Championships.
Playing Format
Men’s World Masters
Group Stages – Best of 7
Knockout Stages through to the Quarter-Finals – Best of 9
Semi-Finals – Best of 11
Final – Best of 13
Men’s World Open
All matches through to and including the Quarter-Finals – Best of 7
Semi-Finals – Best of 9
Final – Best of 11
Men’s World Championship Qualification Tournament
All matches through to and including the Last 32 – Best of 7
Last 16 – Best of 9
Quarter-Finals – Best of 11
Women’s World Masters
Group Stages – Best of 7
Knockout Stages through to the Semi-Finals – Best of 9
Final – Best of 11
Women’s World Open
All matches through to and including the Semi-Finals – Best of 7
Final – Best of 9
Women’s World Championship Qualification Tournament
All matches through to and including the Last 16 – Best of 7
Quarter-Finals – Best of 9
Semi-Finals – Best of 11
Boy’s World Masters
Group Stages – Best of 7
Knockout Stages through to the Quarter-Finals – Best of 7
Semi-Finals – Best of 9
Final – Best of 11
Boy’s World Open
All matches through to and including the Semi-Finals – Best of 7
Final – Best of 9
Boy’s World Championship Qualification Tournament
All matches through to and including the Last 16 – Best of 7
Quarter-Finals – Best of 9
Girls World Masters
Group Stages – Best of 7
Knockout Stages through to the Semi-Finals – Best of 7
Final – Best of 9
Girls World Open
All matches through to and including the Semi-Finals – Best of 7
Final – Best of 9
Girls World Championship Qualification Tournament
All matches through to and including the Quarter-Finals – Best of 7
Semi-Finals – Best of 9
The WDF reserve the right to change any of the information and/or timings detailed above but will only do so in the best interests of the tournaments
The Tournament Directors decision will be final in all matters
