Guide
PDC vs. WDF
Who's who in world darts, which World Championships exist and how club, DDV and WDF fit together
Two World Championships, two associations, one sport: the PDC is the commercial pro circuit with its televised tournaments, the WDF the world association of the national darts associations, which the German Darts Association belongs to as well. This guide explains the differences and the path from your club into both worlds.
PDC
The Professional Darts Corporation runs the pro tour: Players Championships, European Tour, televised events such as the World Championship, World Matchplay and the Premier League. Access is for players with a Tour Card (via Q-School or the feeder tours) and for qualifiers; the Order of Merit counts prize money. The PDC is a company, not an association with member nations.
WDF
The World Darts Federation is the world association of the national darts associations. For Germany, the German Darts Association is the member, with the regional associations and their leagues below it. The WDF stages its own ranking tournaments, the WDF World Championship (at Lakeside since 2022) and continental championships; players qualify via association rankings and WDF tournaments. The former BDO, host of the Lakeside World Championship until 2020, no longer exists; the WDF has taken over its role.
The differences at a glance
- Access: PDC via Tour Card and qualifiers, WDF via club, national association and rankings
- Rankings: PDC by prize money (Order of Merit), WDF by ranking points
- World Championship: PDC at Alexandra Palace (December/January), WDF at Lakeside
- Amateur and pro: WDF open to club players, PDC only with qualification
- Women: PDC Women's Series, WDF with its own women's competitions and World Championship
The path from the club
Every club player in the DDV is part of the WDF system: league, state ranking, national ranking, WDF tournaments. Anyone aiming for the PDC also plays PDC qualifiers, the Challenge or Development Tour and Q-School. The two don't rule each other out; many players compete in WDF tournaments while trying to break into the PDC at the same time.
The most important tournaments in both worlds
- PDC: World Championship at Alexandra Palace, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, Premier League, European Tour, Players Championships
- WDF: WDF World Championship at Lakeside, WDF World Masters, WDF Europe Cup, national championships of the member associations
- Germany: German Championships of the DDV, state championships, national ranking tournaments
What this means for club players
For everyday club life, the question of PDC or WDF doesn't matter: league, cup and rankings run through the state association and therefore within the WDF system. If you have ambitions, you gather experience and ranking points there and additionally play PDC qualifiers, which in Germany take place ahead of European Tour events held in Germany, for example. On DartCloud you'll find the tournaments of both associations under Pro tournaments and the associations with their leagues under Associations.
Both systems are growing together: WDF tournaments serve many players as a springboard, and the PDC deliberately scouts young talent from the national associations through qualifiers.
The association pages on DartCloud link to the official portals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PDC and WDF?
The PDC is the commercial pro tour with tour cards and televised tournaments, the WDF is the world body of the national associations with its own World Championship and rankings.
Is the German Darts Association part of the PDC?
No, the DDV is a member of the WDF. PDC tournaments are open to German players via qualifiers and Tour Cards.
Does the BDO still exist?
No, the BDO has not existed since 2020; the WDF has staged the Lakeside World Championship since 2022.
Can you play PDC and WDF at the same time?
Yes, many players compete in WDF tournaments through their association while also trying to break into the PDC.
Associations and leagues
Associations, leagues and clubs in your region.
Darts clubs near you
The most viewed clubs – with your location the page shows clubs near you.
- TSV Westerhausen-Föckinghausen e.V. – Melle · Training: Do
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- DJK Ewaldi Aplerbeck 1930 e.V. – Dortmund · Training: Di, Mi, Fr
- DC Bermatingen-Ahausen – Bermatingen · Training: Di
- Wooden Dart Club – Bochum · Training: Mo
- TVS Die Überspitzen – Fuldatal · Training: Mi
- DC Ruhrpott Freunde – Essen · Training: Mi