FAQs
How much does it cost to participate in the NDL?
This depends on the tournament format and the type of ticket.
Ticket prices range from around €5 for online tournaments to €55 for a three-day pass to an Open tournament weekend.
We recommend checking the ticket shop for the specific tournament to find the available ticket options and prices.
Can I buy a ticket for a player?
Anyone can purchase a ticket, and tickets can also be transferred to someone else. The person buying the ticket does not have to be the player.
Tickets can be given as a gift, transferred to another person, or purchased by a team captain or group organizer for multiple players.
After purchasing, the buyer can either email the player names to [email protected] or provide/change the player names at the tournament venue before the tournament starts on the event day.
Until the player names have been submitted, the buyer will be listed as the participant. If multiple tickets have been purchased, the buyer's name will appear once for each ticket.
Example:
A buyer purchases three tickets for a tournament. Until the player names are submitted, the entry list will show:
- Buyer Name 1
- Buyer Name 2
- Buyer Name 3
Can I participate as a woman?
Yes, absolutely. Women are just as eligible to compete as men.
What format does the NDL use at its tournaments?
Cup Tournaments and Open Tournaments
Group Stage:
Singles, 501, Straight In, Double Out, Best of 5.
Knockout Stage:
501, Straight In, Double Out. As the tournament progresses, the match format is extended beyond Best of 5 (for example, Best of 7 in the semi-finals and Best of 9 in the final).
Please note that the exact match format may vary between NDL tournament events.
Mystery Doubles Warm-Up Tournaments
The format is the same as the Cup Tournaments, except that the group stage starts with matches played as Best of 3.
How long does a tournament day last?
The duration of an NDL tournament depends on the type of event, the day of the week, and the pace of play. It also depends on the overall standard of the field—matches with many deciding legs or "Madhouse" finishes naturally take longer.
Cup Tournaments
- Saturday: Usually start at 3:00 PM and finish with the final between 10:00 PM and 11:30 PM.
- Sunday / Public Holidays: Usually start at 11:00 AM and finish between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
- Friday: Usually start at 7:00 PM and finish between 11:00 PM and 12:30 AM.
Mixed Clash Double Championships
These events follow a schedule similar to the Cup Tournaments.
Open Tournaments
- Friday (Mystery Doubles): Usually start at 7:00 PM and finish around 12:00 AM.
- Saturday: Usually start at 11:30 AM and finish between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
- Sunday: Usually start at 10:00 AM and finish between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
For Saturday Open Tournaments, the goal is for the semi-finals and final to begin on the stage with a caller at around 8:00 PM (around 5:00 PM on Sundays). Depending on the length of the preceding knockout matches, these times may vary slightly. Any changes will always be communicated clearly and in good time during the tournament day.
After Work Trophies
These events usually start between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM and finish with the final between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Online Battles
Online Battles are played over several weeks, with players arranging their matches via the chat in ELO Darts.
Each Online Battle consists of three phases:
- Preliminary Group Stage
- Main Group Stage
- Tournament Final Stage
Each phase lasts up to 14 days, meaning a complete Online Battle takes approximately six weeks. Because of this format, multiple Online Battles may run at the same time.
What average do I need to compete in the NDL?
There is no specific average required to compete in the NDL.
Your average isn't the most important factor. The NDL is about gaining tournament experience, improving your game, and meeting other players who share the same passion and goals. It's a great opportunity to build connections within the darts community.
The overall tournament average varies depending on the strength of the field, but it is often between 41 and 50.
Are spectators allowed at the tournaments?
Yes. Spectators and accompanying guests are welcome at all NDL tournaments.
For Open Tournaments, spectator tickets can be purchased either online in advance or at the venue. Booking online guarantees entry. Because venue capacity is limited, tickets may no longer be available for purchase at the entrance on the tournament day.
For Cup Tournaments, After Work Trophies, and Mixed Clash Double Championships, admission for spectators and accompanying guests is free of charge. However, entry is still subject to the venue's maximum capacity.
Do children attending as spectators or accompanying guests also have to pay the same admission fee as adults?
Children and young people up to the age of 15 (who are not eligible to compete) are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The accompanying adult may be either a participating player or a paying spectator. Free admission is subject to the venue's overall capacity and requires the accompanying adult to have a valid player registration or spectator ticket.
When is the registration deadline for the NDL?
Registration remains open until the tournament venue has reached its maximum capacity.
As capacity varies from venue to venue, the registration deadline differs for each tournament. Popular venues may sell out very quickly, while other events may still have places available right up to the tournament day.
Is it a problem if I've never played in a tournament before?
Not at all!
Every NDL tournament welcomes players who are competing in their very first tournament. You don't even have to be a member of a darts club.
Whether you're completely new to competitive darts or have already played hundreds of tournaments, you're welcome in the NDL. Many of our players had never played a club match before and had only played with friends at home.
New players are guided through the tournament format and procedures, so you'll quickly feel comfortable and know what to do.
Are tablets available on site?
Yes. Every board is equipped with a tablet or PC for electronic scoring.
Players simply enter the score they have thrown, and the scoring software automatically calculates the remaining points. There is no need to keep score manually on traditional chalkboards or whiteboards.
Electronic darts scoring software is available at every NDL tournament.
Is there a dress code?
No, there is no dress code.
However, players must wear closed sports shoes or standard darts footwear. Please do not attend barefoot, wearing flip-flops or slides, or in indecent or otherwise inappropriate clothing.
How is the prize money paid out?
Prize money for ranking positions and the NDL Final Stage is paid by bank transfer.
Players who win prize money only need to provide their IBAN once. Their bank details will then be securely stored for all future prize money payments.
I've already participated in Q School. Am I still eligible to play in the NDL?
To be eligible to compete in the NDL, a player must not have participated in the PDC Qualifying School (Q School) during the current calendar year (either the European Q School or the UK Q School).
The following exceptions apply:
- Defending champions of NDL Open Tournaments.
- The four semi-finalists from the previous NDL Final Stage.
Defending champions of NDL Open Tournaments remain eligible to compete in the NDL even if they later participate in that year's Q School. In other words, defending champions are not excluded because of their Q School participation.
Participation in PDC European Tour qualifiers, the Super League, or the PDC Development Tour does not affect NDL eligibility.
Players who have previously held a PDC Tour Card are not eligible to compete.
An additional exception applies to NDL Open Tournaments: up to 16 Q School participants are permitted to compete in these individual events.
And finally, there is one special exception to all of the above:
Phil Taylor is always welcome to play—as long as he pays the entry fee! 😉
Do I need to bring my own darts?
Yes. That would probably be enough as an answer. 🙂
However, we also offer a selection of darts equipment for sale or loan at some events in case you've forgotten something, lost a piece of your equipment, or need a replacement.
Am I allowed to bring my own food and drinks?
No. Bringing your own food or drinks is not permitted.
Food and beverages are provided by the event host at every venue. Players or spectators who do not comply with this rule may receive a warning from the organizer.
The reason is simple: NDL tournaments are held in cooperation with local darts clubs and darts venues. If players and spectators brought their own food and drinks, it would significantly reduce our partners' food and beverage sales, making events like these economically unsustainable.
As the saying goes: "You wouldn't bring your own drinks to a pub or your own kebab to a pizzeria."
Do I have to score or call matches at the tournament?
As is common at darts tournaments, players who are not currently playing are assigned by the tournament software to score matches during the group stage.
As a scorer, you do not need to call the match. Your only task is to enter the players' scores into the tablet or PC. There is no pressure to do this quickly, and the players will gladly assist you if you need any help.
During the knockout stage, the losing players are usually assigned to score the next match. This means that after being eliminated, you will normally only have to score one more match before your responsibilities for the day are complete.
Will food and drinks be available at the tournaments?
Yes. A selection of food and drinks will be available at the venue.
Depending on the location, this typically includes soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, sausages, bread rolls, snacks, sweets, and other refreshments for both players and spectators.
How do the tournament finals work?
At Open Tournaments, the semi-finals and final are usually played on the stage (typically on Saturdays) in front of spectators with a dedicated match caller.
The main board is covered by cameras, and the match is shown live on screens throughout the venue so spectators can follow the action. There will also be plenty of 180 signs available for the crowd.
At Cup Tournaments, After Work Trophies, and Mixed Clash Double Championships, the finals are played on the venue's main board and are supported by the spectators in attendance.
What can you win at NDL tournaments?
Players can win direct qualification tickets for the NDL Final Stage as well as NDL ranking points at tournaments.
The number of ranking points awarded depends on the type of tournament and the number of participants. Full details can be found in the description of each individual event.
Open Tournament singles events also offer cash prizes.
At the NDL Final Stage, a total of five Q School entry tickets are awarded:
- Two to the champion.
- One each to the other three semi-finalists.
In addition, the Final Stage offers cash prizes.
Prize money is also awarded based on players' final positions in the overall NDL Rankings.
How can I qualify for the NDL Finals?
The NDL Final Stage cannot be entered directly—you can only qualify for it.
The winners of Open Tournament singles events and Cup Tournaments each receive a direct NDL Final Stage ticket, automatically qualifying them for the Final Stage weekend.
Players can also qualify through Mystery Doubles Tournaments and Mixed Clash Double Championships. Winning two tournaments in either of these formats earns a full NDL Final Stage ticket, as each victory counts as half a Final Stage ticket.
Qualification is also possible through the overall NDL rankings or one of the various regional rankings.
If qualified players are unable to participate, additional places may be offered to players further down the overall or regional rankings.
How much does it cost to participate in the NDL FINAL STAGE?
Participation in the NDL Final Stage is free of charge for all qualified players.
How much does it cost to participate in the NDL FINAL STAGE?
Yes. Spectator tickets for individual visitors and accompanying guests will be available in the online shop.