This June, two major events take center stage in the world of professional darts: the Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters, held this weekend in Copenhagen, and the BetVictor Darts World Cup, scheduled for June 12–15 in Frankfurt. These tournaments not only showcase the sport’s elite players, but also highlight deeper issues lurking in the background—player burnout, sustainability concerns, and structural challenges that now threaten the future of darts.
Nordic Darts Masters: Rising Stars and Seasoned Veterans
Now in its fifth edition, the Nordic Darts Masters aims to popularize the sport in Scandinavia, featuring a world-class lineup. The single-elimination tournament sees 16 players compete for a £100,000 prize. This year, all eyes are on 18-year-old Luke Littler, who captured the PDC World Championship in January and is making his debut at this event. He will be joined by world number one Luke Humphries, defending champion Gerwyn Price, consistent contenders like Stephen Bunting and Rob Cross, and Chris Dobey—who stepped in for Michael van Gerwen following his withdrawal.
Darts World Cup: Doubles Format, National Pride
The Frankfurt-based World Cup is one of darts’ most unique tournaments, with 40 nations represented and all matches played in doubles format. Teamwork is as vital as individual skill. England fields the formidable Littler–Humphries duo, the 2024 champions. Wales returns with the well-synced Price–Clayton pair, while Scotland, the Netherlands, Australia, and others bring equally strong teams. The tournament’s unpredictability, potential for upsets, and patriotic flair create an atmosphere unmatched by any other event.
A Crisis Behind the Scenes: Darts’ Current Challenges
Even as darts smashes popularity records and expands globally, growing concerns are being raised about the sport’s sustainability. Chief among them: an oversaturated competition calendar and the resulting risk of burnout. Top players get little rest, moving from the World Championship to the Premier League, European events, the World Cup, and invitationals—often without breaks. “The whole calendar is insane,” said Nathan Aspinall recently. “Eventually, people burn out or retire early.” More players are skipping tournaments for rest, and many worry that young talents like Littler may flame out too early under constant pressure.
With the sport’s professionalization has come increased media and sponsor attention. Littler became a global star almost overnight—forced to handle press scrutiny while still growing as both an athlete and a young man. More players are now speaking openly about anxiety, performance pressure, and the lack of adequate mental health support within the sport.
Global expansion also brings complications. While the PDC has done well to expand into the U.S., Middle East, and Asia, several issues arise:
- Star players are repeatedly flown to the same regions, leading to exhaustion.
- Traditional fans worry the sport is losing its “pub roots” in favor of glitzy, entertainment-style events.
- Many new markets lack grassroots development programs, making growth overly reliant on top players.
Darts in 2025 is fast-paced, flashy, and wildly popular. The Nordic Darts Masters and the Darts World Cup promise high-quality entertainment—but it is crucial that the sport’s leaders heed the warning signs. A new equilibrium is needed: a reimagined competition schedule, greater mental and financial support for players, and global expansion that does not come at the cost of athletes’ health and longevity. As Littler takes the stage in Copenhagen and nations face off in Frankfurt, the world of darts is watching not only for winners—but for signs the sport can reinvent itself for the long haul.