THE format for the Cash Converters World Cup of Darts has now been confirmed ahead of the inaugural event next month.
The tournament will feature 24 nations competing for a £150,000 prize fund from December 3-5 at the Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton-Le-Spring, Tyne and Wear.
Played across six sessions from Friday to Sunday, the opening day will be played in a knockout format before the remaining eight teams are split into two four-team groups for the group stage on Saturday December 4.
The top two teams from each group will then progress to contest the semi-fianls and final on Sunday December 5, with the winning team sharing a £40,000 prize and the title of Cash Converters World Cup of Darts Champions.
The tournament will be played in the format below, with the schedule of play to be announced in due course.
The Cash Converters World Cup of Darts will be played from December 3-5 at the Rainton Meadows Arena.
Tickets cost £20 and £25 and can be purchased on 0871 220 0260 or via www.seetickets.com/worldcupofdarts.
2010 CASH CONVERTERS WORLD CUP OF DARTS FORMAT
Friday December 3
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
First Round
8 x Round One matches between teams ranked 9-24
Best of 11, 501 doubles, loser throws first.
First Round Draw
Ireland (9) v Slovakia (24)
Germany (10) v Czech Republic (23)
Spain (11) v Japan (22)
Finland (12) v Belgium (21)
New Zealand (13) v Poland (20)
Austria (14) v Denmark (19)
Sweden (15) v Slovenia (18)
Russia (16) v Gibraltar (17)
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Second Round
8 x Round Two matches between afternoon winners drawn randomly against eight seeds.
Best of 11, 501 doubles, loser throws first.
Random draw between eight afternoon winners and eight seeded teams. Draw to be conducted on Sunday November 21 so running order can be determined in advance.
England (1)
Netherlands (2)
Australia (3)
Scotland (4)
Wales (5)
Northern Ireland (6)
Canada (7)
USA (8)
Saturday December 4
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Group A: four winners from Round Two, top two progress to semi-finals.
Each team plays each other team once in a match that consists of two best of five leg singles and a best of five leg doubles.
Top ranked player from each country plays second ranked player from opposition, then reverse singles, then doubles.
One point is awarded per singles match won, two per doubles.
All points count to overall league table.
Loser throws first, leg difference separates teams tied on points.
Group A will be formed of seeds 2, 3, 6 and 7 (or the teams that defeat them) and Group B will be formed of 1, 4, 5 and 8 (or the teams that defeat them).
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
As per afternoon with Group B
Sunday December 5
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Semi-Finals
Top two from each group on Saturday progress to semi-finals.
Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B
Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A
Semi-finals consist of four best of 11 singles followed by a best of 11 doubles match (if required).
One point is awarded per singles match won, two per doubles.
Loser throws first.
If the match finishes all square (3-3) a sudden death doubles leg will be played with a bull-up on stage to determine who throws first.
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Final
Two semi-final winners contest final.
Final consists of four best of 15 singles matches and a best of 15 doubles match (if required).
One point is awarded per singles match won, two per doubles.
Loser throws first.
If the match finishes all square (3 - 3) a sudden death doubles leg will be played with a bull-up on stage to determine who throws first.