Format confirmed for 2025 Winmau World Masters including much-loved sets returning

The format for the 2025 Winmau World Masters has been set with the routes for the top names now confirmed and when they will start their foray at Milton Keynes between Thursday January 30 - Sunday February 2.

The top 24 players from the PDC Order of Merit so Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries for instance will automatically qualify for the 32-player main event with 16 players set to be seeded.

This means that no matter what the TV companies and those in the arena will get to see the big names. A further eight players will come from the preliminary rounds on Wednesday January 29 which will feature PDC Tour Card holders as well as PDC Secondary Tour players, affiliate tours and also JDC.

Follow the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship via our LIVE SCORE!

Read also

Here's how much players can earn in Prize Money at 2025 Winmau World Masters with huge amount set

The preliminary rounds will see 32 players who are seeded through to the Last 64 who are players ranked between 25-56 on the PDC Order of Merit. They are joined by 32 group winners from the round-robin group stage.

This group features 32 players seeded as one per group so Player 57-88 on the PDC Order of Merit. The remainder from the 128 and the Affiliate systems will be drawn at random to these groups.

The tournament as per the old format of one of the most historic darts tournaments on the planet will feature a sets format. Each set will be played the best of three legs, this begins with the best of three sets throughout the preliminary rounds and the full breakdown is below.

Format

Preliminary Rounds - Best of three sets, best of three legs per set

First Round - Best of five sets, best of three legs per set

Second Round - Best of seven sets, best of three legs per set

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 11 sets, best of three legs per set