How to Run a Teams League

A team league is one of the most popular ways to organise darts. Instead of individuals competing week after week, players group into teams, often tied to a pub or club, battling it out across a season. Teams leagues create strong community ties, healthy rivalries and plenty of reasons for players (and supporters) to keep coming back.

Get the Teams Organised

The foundation of any team league is, of course, the teams themselves.

  • Team Captains – Every team needs a captain to organise players, confirm availability and act as the main point of contact.
  • Players – Make sure each team has enough regular players (and maybe a couple of reserves) to fulfill fixtures every week.
  • Venues – Many teams are ‘hosted’ by a pub or club. This gives them a home board and creates that home/away atmosphere.

Agree Match Nights & Format

Once the teams are in place, set a clear structure:

  • Match nights/times – Pick a regular night each week so everyone knows when they’re playing & when to start.
  • Format – Decide the matche format, best of X legs, a mix of singles, pairs and team games (common in pub leagues).
  • Divisions – If you’ve got a lot of teams, split them into divisions.
  • Promotion & Relegation – At the end of the season, move teams up and down divisions to keep things competitive.
  • Play once or twice? – Will teams meet each other once per season, or play both home and away?

Sort the Fixtures

With the format set, create the fixture list so captains know who they’re playing each week.

  • Fixtures can be drawn up manually.
  • Digital platforms can automate this and generate league tables as results are entered.
  • Ensure there are no clashes, as it is common when there are two teams playing from the same venue.

Sharing fixtures in advance also helps pubs and venues plan for busier match nights.

Once fixtures and dates are locked in, make sure the league is well-advertised. Use:

  • Social media
  • Posters in pubs
  • Word of mouth

The clearer you are with rules, format and dates, the smoother your season will run.

Keep Things Fresh

A season can last several months. To keep player engagement high, consider:

  • A knockout tournament (singles or pairs or both) midway through the season.
  • Occasional ‘fun nights’ or charity matches to mix things up.

These extras help maintain excitement and stop the season from feeling too long.

Track Results & Update Tables

After each match night, results should be submitted and tables updated. This can be done:

  • On paper and shared manually.
  • With digital tools that automatically update divisions, standings and statistics.

Players love to see where their team stands and updated tables keep the competitive fire burning. Players also love to see their own stats, individual tables are common, tracking wins, averages and merits across the season.

End of Season & Presentation

At the end of the league, crown your champions! A presentation night is a brilliant way to celebrate:

  • Hand out trophies or prize money.
  • Recognise not just winners, but also top performers (e.g. most 180s, best averages, best newcomer).
  • Encourage teams to sign up for the next season right away.

Final Thoughts

A team league brings players, captains and venues together week after week, creating a thriving darts community. With a clear structure, reliable fixtures and a few fun extras along the way, you’ll have players hooked for seasons to come.