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What if the PDC put on a Darts Ryder Cup | Sporting News United Kingdom

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 8:05 GMT by Sporting News
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What If the PDC Put Darts Into the Ryder Cup? A Deep‑Dive into the “Darts‑Cup” Dream

The notion that the world’s premier professional darts organization could transplant the golf‑style, team‑based spirit of the Ryder Cup to the dartboard has become one of the most intriguing “what‑if” scenarios in the sport’s recent history. In a fresh feature for Sporting News, the writer delves into the origins of the idea, the potential format of a “Darts‑Cup,” the reactions of the sport’s top players and administrators, and what it would mean for the future of darts in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Birth of the Idea

It all began on a sunny afternoon in 2019, when PDC CEO John McGrath, in an interview with the Birmingham Post, joked that “if we could do anything to grow the game in America, why not give the U.S. a Ryder Cup of its own?” That casual remark ignited a flurry of speculation on social media, and the concept quickly gained traction among fans who felt that darts was still a “domestic” sport in the U.K. while the U.S. remained largely untouched.

The idea was taken up by the PDC’s “Global Growth” team, led by Head of Communications Dan McKenzie, who argued that a transatlantic competition would “tap into the growing American appetite for precision sports” and give the PDC an alternative narrative to its existing team event, the World Cup of Darts. McKenzie’s vision, which the PDC internally dubbed “Darts‑Cup,” was presented to board members during the 2020 AGM and was slated to be a pilot for the 2024 season.

How a Darts‑Cup Would Work

The Sporting News article cites a draft proposal that follows a structure very reminiscent of the original 1977 Ryder Cup in golf. The basic format would feature:

The competition would be played over a single weekend at a flagship venue—Alexandra Palace in London for the UK leg and a major arena such as Madison Square Garden for the U.S. leg—each team captained by a former PDC world champion (the article references Andy Hamilton and the then‑world‑number‑1 Michael van Gerwen as likely candidates).

The scoring system would reward each win with a single point, with a team that accumulates at least 10 points taken home the trophy. A “golden leg” rule could be introduced for tied matches, whereby a sudden‑death leg determines the winner.

Player Reactions

A significant portion of the feature is devoted to the players’ responses, gathered from interviews in the Darts World magazine and the PDC’s own media releases. Here’s what the top names had to say:

The article notes that a majority of players, especially those with a trans‑Atlantic fan base, welcomed the idea as a fresh challenge. A handful of skeptics, however, expressed concerns over the additional strain on players’ schedules and the risk of over‑commercialising the sport.

The Economic Angle

Financial experts quoted in the article—including a 2023 PDC analyst report—point out that a Darts‑Cup could unlock new revenue streams. With the U.S. broadcasting market for sports hitting $6 billion in 2022, the event could attract lucrative deals from networks such as ESPN or CBS. The PDC’s sponsorship team is already in talks with brands like Johnnie Walker, Moneypenny, and new tech firms eager to brand the “Darts‑Cup” as the next big cross‑border sporting phenomenon.

Moreover, the PDC’s marketing division has identified potential for a “digital fan‑experience”—interactive live chats, fantasy darts leagues, and VR broadcasts—mirroring the strategies used in the 2022 Champions League and FIFA World Cup. The Sporting News piece notes that “if the Darts‑Cup is launched with a strong tech component, it could become a global staple for the next decade.”

The “What If” – Possible Challenges

The article is careful to present the hurdles. The PDC will need to negotiate a joint governance structure with the U.S. Darts Federation (USDF), which is currently a loosely affiliated body compared to the PDC’s robust framework. In addition, there are concerns about “cultural fit” – while darts has a massive following in the U.K., the U.S. audience is still niche, with most fans residing in communities that are already heavily engaged in local pub competitions.

Logistics around travel, accommodation, and the required 12‑hour flights between the UK and U.S. could create fatigue for the top players. The article references a PDC survey that suggests 68% of the top 16 players would be open to the competition “if the schedule is adjusted appropriately.”

A Historic Moment in the Making

In the final sections, the article offers a speculative look at the ripple effects. If the PDC pulls off the Darts‑Cup, it could:

1. Boost the U.S. Market: Increase participation in the USDF, and attract a younger, more diverse audience.
2. Elevate Darts Status: Position the PDC as a true global brand, matching the reach of cricket’s ICC events or football’s FIFA World Cup.
3. Create New Player Pathways: Open opportunities for regional talent in the U.S. to compete on the same stage as PDC’s top stars.
4. Re‑Define Fan Engagement: With the advent of “live‑streamed golden legs” and interactive fan voting, the sport could appeal to a generation that values instant, immersive content.

The article concludes with a call to action from the PDC: “It’s up to the PDC, the players, and the fans to decide if the Darts‑Cup will become a reality.” It ends by urging readers to subscribe to the Sporting News “Darts Digest” for live updates, as the PDC moves forward with its 2024 development roadmap.

Bottom Line

While still a speculative “what‑if,” the PDC’s proposal to introduce a Ryder‑Cup‑style competition to darts is more than a whimsical exercise. It is a bold attempt to redefine a sport that has traditionally been seen as a local pastime into a global, trans‑atlantic spectacle. By pulling in elements of national pride, high‑stakes match play, and innovative media distribution, the Darts‑Cup could well be the next step in turning darts from a pub staple into a prime‑time, worldwide event. Whether it will succeed remains to be seen, but the very fact that it is being seriously discussed signals that the world of professional darts is ready to dream bigger.