Steve Starr
- Wales (+150) is the favorite to win the 2023 World Cup of Darts after earning a bye until the final 16 stage
- England (+350), the Netherlands (+400) and Scotland (+700) will also go straight into the knockout rounds
- The 13th annual event will take place at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 15-18, 2023
The 2023 World Cup of Darts returns on Thursday with an all-new, expanded format featuring 40 nations from around the world and £450,000 in prizes.
Wales’ two-man team of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton are favored to capture the tournament for the second time in four years, but they will face stiff competition. Before we examine the odds, check out all the Sports & Competitions to bet on in 2023. Here’s also where you can see the latest Sports Betting Odds & Picks.
2023 World Cup of Darts
| Country |  |  |  |
| Wales | +150 | +150 | +150 |
| England | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Netherlands | +400 | +400 | +400 |
| Scotland | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Germany | +1600 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Belgium | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Australia | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Northern Ireland | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Republic of Ireland | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Austria | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Canada | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Poland | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Czech Republic | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Portugal | +15000 | +15000 | +15000 |
| Croatia | +25000 | +25000 | +25000 |
Explaining the new format
The 2023 World Cup of Darts’ new pairs format means there will no longer be singles matches at the event. Each nation will compete as two-man teams throughout the weekend. As the top four ranked countries in the world, Wales (+150), England (+350), Netherlands (+450) and Scotland (+700) won’t enter the competition until the final 16 round.
The remaining 36 countries have been divided into a new group stage. Each of the 12 groups contains three teams of two, with each group winner advancing to the knockout stage. The reigning champions from Australia (+2500) open the tournament against Guyana on Thursday night.
The Draw 🔢
Here's the confirmed draw for the 2023 My Diesel Claim World Cup of Darts…
A reminder that the top four seeds enter the competition in the Second Round!
👉 https://t.co/aURdbEK4o4 pic.twitter.com/y5sPi5RFbO
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 9, 2023
World Cup of Darts history
England (+350) and the Netherlands (+400) combined to win the first eight World Cup of Darts events, with each country winning four apiece from 2010 to 2018; no event was held in 2011. Michael van Gerwen was part of three-of-the-four championship Dutch teams. His last victory came in 2018 and he has a new partner, Danny Noppert, this year.
World Champion Michael Smith was part of an English team that fell to Australia in last year’s semifinals. Both he and his new teammate, Rob Cross, have never won this competition before.
Scotland and Wales
Scotland (+700) has captured this event twice before, in 2019 and 2021. Peter Wright was part of both those teams, but he has a new partner, Gary Anderson, this year. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton will represent Wales (+150) for the sixth-consecutive tournament, last winning in 2020.
The hosts from Germany (+1600), Gabriel Clemens, Martin Schindle, bowed out in the quarter-finals in 2022. They’re a shoo-in to advance out of Group B, which they share with 100-1 longshots Hong Kong and Japan.
🌍 🏆 Highest combined averages of World Cup pairings in 2023:
🏴 Price & Clayton, 196.26
🏴 Anderson & Wright, 194.62
🇳🇱 van Gerwen & Noppert, 191.94
🏴 Smith & Cross, 191.85
🇩🇪 Clemens & Schindler, 188.44
🇦🇺 Heta & Whitlock, 187.05
🇧🇪 Van den Bergh & Huybrechts, 187.04 pic.twitter.com/s72aUPIdFk— Darts Orakel (@DartsOrakel) June 9, 2023
Can Australia repeat?
Australia (+2500) will also have no trouble advancing to the round of 16 knockout stage, as they’re in a group with 100-1 longshots Guyana and Gibraltar. The reigning champions, represented by Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock, upset No. 1 seed England in the semifinals last year before defeating No. 2 seed Wales in the final.
Best Longshot
Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts of Belgium (+2000) have the sixth-highest combined scoring average (187.04), just behind the Aussies’ mark of 187.05.
While the 2023 World Cup of Darts will probably be claimed by one of the sport’s traditional powers, Belgium at least has a shot to hit a championship bullseye this weekend.
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