The Winmau World Masters Darts 2025: A Showcase of Skill and Competition
The Winmau World Masters Darts 2025 is currently in full swing, featuring some of the finest talent in the sport. This prestigious tournament serves as a battleground for elite players vying for a coveted spot in the final. With its history and significance, the World Masters promises excitement and intense competition.
Defending Champion Stephen Bunting
Fresh from a triumphant win at the 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters, Stephen Bunting enters the tournament as the defending champion. His recent success has put him in a prime position to defend his title, but the competition will be fierce. Bunting will face formidable opponents, including rising stars like Luke Littler and seasoned veterans such as Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries. The stakes are high, and Bunting will need every ounce of skill and experience to navigate the challenges ahead.
Stephen Bunting is defending his Masters title (Photo: Zac Goodwin/PA)
Tournament Format and Significance
This year’s event marks the 13th Masters organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the first under the World Masters brand. Crucially, the tournament has transitioned into a full-ranking event, meaning it counts towards the players’ world rankings and order of merit. This new format adds an extra layer of tension and prestige, as each match carries significant repercussions for the players’ standings in the darting world.
Schedule and Viewing Options
The World Darts Masters is being held at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes from Wednesday, January 29 to Sunday, February 2. The opening preliminary round saw 126 players compete for a limited number of spots in the first round alongside the top 24 ranked players globally.
Fans eager to catch the action can tune in to ITV4, which holds exclusive television rights for live broadcasts. Additionally, matches can be streamed live or caught up via ITVX, ensuring that viewers can follow every treble 20 and double finish.
Competitors to Watch
The excitement of the tournament is magnified by the caliber of players involved. The first round includes 32 competitors, showcasing a mix of established legends and rising stars:
- Luke Humphries
- Joe Cullen
- Josh Rock
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Damon Heta
- Ross Smith
- Gerwyn Price
- Florian Hempel
- Rob Cross
- William O’Connor
- Danny Noppert
- Michael Smith
- Stephen Bunting
- William Borland
- Peter Wright
- Kevin Doets
- Luke Littler
- Andy Baetens
- James Wade
- Mike De Decker
- Jonny Clayton
- Martin Schindler
- Chris Dobey
- Ryan Searle
- Michael van Gerwen
- Bradley Brooks
- Gary Anderson
- Dimitri Van den Bergh
- Dave Chisnall
- Cameron Menzies
- Nathan Aspinall
- Andrew Gilding
First Round Matches
The first round promises to be exciting:
Thursday, January 30 from 7 PM
- Josh Rock vs. Jermaine Wattimena
- Damon Heta vs. Ross Smith
- Rob Cross vs. William O’Connor
- Gerwyn Price vs. Florian Hempel
- Peter Wright vs. Kevin Doets
- Luke Humphries vs. Joe Cullen
- Stephen Bunting vs. William Borland
- Danny Noppert vs. Michael Smith
Friday, January 31 from 7 PM
- James Wade vs. Mike De Decker
- Dave Chisnall vs. Cameron Menzies
- Jonny Clayton vs. Martin Schindler
- Nathan Aspinall vs. Andrew Gilding
- Chris Dobey vs. Ryan Searle
- Luke Littler vs. Andy Baetens
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Bradley Brooks
- Gary Anderson vs. Dimitri Van den Bergh
Upcoming Rounds
- Second Round: Saturday, February 1 (Afternoon session from 12:45 PM, Evening session from 7 PM)
- Quarter-finals: Sunday, February 2 (Afternoon session from 12:45 PM)
- Semi-finals and Final: Sunday, February 2 from 7 PM
Match Formats
Each round has a different structure:
- First Round: Best of five sets, best of three legs per set
- Second Round and Quarter-finals: Best of seven sets, best of three legs per set
- Semi-finals: Best of nine sets, best of three legs per set
- Final: Best of eleven sets, best of three legs per set
Prize Money at Stake
A staggering £500,000 prize fund is on offer, with all 32 participants in the main tournament guaranteed at least £5,000. The winner will take home a hefty £100,000. Here’s a breakdown of the prize structure:
- Winner: £100,000
- Runner-up: £50,000
- Semi-finalists: £30,000
- Quarter-finalists: £17,500
- Second-round losers: £10,000
- First-round losers: £5,000
Luke Littler, left, and Stephen Bunting are competing for the £100,000 prize money (Photo: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty)
With high stakes and fierce competition, the Winmau World Masters Darts 2025 promises to be an unforgettable event for players and fans alike. Each match will be a testament to skill, strategy, and the passion of the sport.
