Target Darts Becomes Official Sponsor of the 2025 WDF Lakeside World Championships
The World Darts Federation (WDF) and Target Darts are delighted to announce a new multi-year sponsorship deal, which will see the Target TOR board used for all 81 matches at the 2025 WDF World Championships this year.
Taking place at the iconic Lakeside Country Club from November 28th, the championships will be the fourth edition held by the WDF and looks set to be the biggest yet, with 85 players from all over the world competing across four categories to claim the esteemed title.
The Lakeside fields were recently finalised after the World Masters in Hungary, where Target TOR boards were proudly in use, and an exciting mix of players are lined up to battle it out over 10 days of action. A total of 10 players will be flying the flag for Team Target, including defending World Champions Shane McGuirk and Paige Pauling, returning two-time Women’s World Champion Mikuru Suzuki, 2024’s double Lakeside finalist Sophie McKinlay, and the new Youth World Master Mitchell Lawrie, the youngest-ever player to compete in a senior World Championship. Lawrie is joined in the Open tournament by 2024 Irish Open champion James Beeton, Japan’s Haruki Muramatsu and ‘The Interceptor’ Jenson Walker, while in the Youth he’ll be competing alongside fellow Elite1 talents Mason Teese and Kaya Baysal.
The Lakeside has a long history staging World Championship darts, dating as far back as 1986, with many darts legends enjoying success on the iconic stage over the years, including Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Jocky Wilson, Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.
The 2024 edition was dominated by Team Target players, with seven of the eight finalists featuring on its roster at the time or in the following year, including Mc Guirk, Lim, Greaves, Pauling, Sophie McKinlay and Jenson Walker.
Target Darts has grown to become one of the most iconic brands in the sport, producing industry-leading equipment for fans and players alike. The brand’s talent roster represents a who’s who of players from across the darting world, including three reigning WDF World Champions in Mc Guirk, Pauling, and Beau Greaves, as well as a number of darts icons including Luke Littler, Phil Taylor and Paul Lim.
WDF Secretary-General Nick Rolls said: “Everyone at the WDF is delighted to be working with Target for the first time.
“They’re one of the biggest brands in the game and their reputation speaks for itself - their boards are world-class and will give all 85 of our players the perfect platform to showcase their skills at the Lakeside.
“Last year’s tournament was a fantastic one for the Target team and I’m sure their players will be centre stage once again this time round!”
Adam Thompson, Marketing Director at Target Darts, commented: "We’re thrilled to be joining forces with the WDF for this year’s Lakeside World Championships, after such a successful performance from our player roster at last year’s competition. Darts and the Lakeside share a strong legacy, and with the latest Target TOR boards in play, spectators can expect to see matches of the highest calibre.
“This new partnership ensures top-level playing conditions for all competitors this year, making this event an ideal chance for us to identify future darts stars, and build on our brand heritage of supporting them.”
Like the WDF, Target has a passion for nurturing the next generation of darts talent through its Elite 1 Programme, headed up by 2019 Lakeside finalist Lorraine Winstanley. The programme seeks to identify the darts stars of the future, and provides them with the training and equipment they need to improve their game. Many of their young stars are title regulars on the WDF circuit, and may be making an appearance along the more established names at Lakeside this year.
For the latest information, schedules and scores, visit: www.target-darts.co.uk/blog/wdf-world-championship-2025.html
For tickets to the 2025 WDF Lakeside World Championships, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/2025-wdf-lakeside-world-championships-3869203