Football 501: How to Play Football Darts

Football darts takes the game you already know — 501 — and wraps it in the tension of a football match. Two halves, goals scored by winning legs, and if the scores are level at full time, extra time and penalties. It is one of the best pub darts formats for groups, and if you have ever wanted your darts night to feel like a cup final, this is how you get there.

Football darts is a match format where each leg of 501 counts as a goal, played across two halves. The player or team with the most goals at full time wins. If the match is tied, extra time and a penalty shootout decide the result.

How Football Darts Works

The core idea is simple: every leg of 501 you win equals one goal. String enough legs together in halves, and you have a football match on the dartboard.

Here is the full structure:

You can adjust the number of legs per half to suit your group. Five is the standard, but three per half works for shorter sessions and seven for a proper marathon.

Footy Darts 501: Step-by-Step Rules

Setting Up

1. Decide on teams (1v1 or teams of 2-4)
2. Agree on the number of legs per half (5 is standard)
3. Flip a coin for first throw — the winner gets "kick-off" (first throw in the opening leg)
4. The loser of the coin toss gets first throw in the second half

Playing a Leg

Each leg follows standard 501 rules. Both sides start at 501 and subtract their score each turn, throwing three darts per visit. The first player or team to reach exactly zero with a double wins the leg and scores a goal.

If you need a refresher on finishing combinations, our checkout chart covers every route from 170 down.

Half Time

After the agreed number of legs, take a break. Check the score — one side might be leading 3-2, or it could be level at 2-2. The trailing side gets a chance to fight back in the second half, just like real football.

In team formats, half time is also the natural point to rotate which teammate throws first.

Full Time and Extra Time

After both halves, the side with more goals wins. If the score is level, play two extra-time legs. The throw order alternates — whoever threw second in the last regular leg throws first in extra time.

Penalty Shootout

Still tied after extra time? Time for penalties. Each player gets one dart at the bullseye. The inner bull (50 points) scores, the outer bull (25 points) misses. Alternate throws for five rounds. If still level, sudden death — one throw each until someone scores and the other misses.

Football Darts Scoring Example

Here is what a typical match scorecard looks like:

Player A wins 6-4. No extra time needed. But if it had been 5-5, two extra legs would follow, then penalties if required.

Team Formats for Football Darts

Football darts really comes alive with teams. Here are the most common setups:

Doubles (2v2)

Teammates alternate legs. Player 1 throws leg 1, Player 2 throws leg 2, and so on. This keeps everyone involved and adds a tactical element — you can pair your stronger finisher with the legs that matter most.

Squad Format (3v3 or 4v4)

Each team member throws one leg per half. With four players per side and five legs per half, one player throws twice — the captain picks who before the half begins. This mirrors football substitution strategy.

Tag Team

Within each leg, teammates alternate throws. Player 1 throws the first three darts, Player 2 throws the next three, and so on until the leg is won. This requires real coordination — one player might set up a finish that the other has to hit.

How Is Football Darts Different from Regular 501?

The darts you throw are identical. The scoring within each leg is the same. The double-out rule still applies. What changes is everything around the individual legs:

If you enjoy 301 or 501 but want a format that fills an entire evening, football darts is the answer.

Strategy Tips for Football Darts

Manage the Match, Not Just the Leg

In regular 501, every leg matters equally. In football darts, the score context changes your approach. If you are 3-1 up at half time, the second half is about protecting the lead — steady scoring, safe doubles, no hero shots. Down 1-3? Time to attack and take risks on bigger checkouts.

Use Substitution Timing in Team Play

If your team format allows choosing who throws which leg, save your best finisher for the final legs of each half. Those are the legs where the pressure peaks and a clinical checkout decides the match.

Practice Your Bullseye for Penalties

Penalties come down to hitting the bull. If you play football darts regularly, spend a few minutes each session on bullseye practice. When the shootout comes, muscle memory beats nerves.

Keep Score Visibly

Write the match score large enough for everyone to see — the football-style tension only works when everyone knows the score. A whiteboard split into two halves with a running goal tally works perfectly.

Variations Worth Trying

Premier League format: A round-robin league where each player plays everyone else once in a football darts match. Points for wins (3), draws (1), and losses (0). The top two play a final. This stretches across multiple weeks and gives your darts night a season-long arc.

Cup knockout: Bracket-style tournament. Each round is a football darts match. Losers are eliminated. Works with any number of players — just seed the bracket and let it play out.

World Cup mode: Teams of 2-3 representing countries (or pubs, or whatever you want). Group stage with round-robin football darts, then knockout rounds. Perfect for a darts tournament day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is football darts?

Football darts is a variation of 501 where each leg won counts as a goal, played across two halves. The player or team with the most goals at full time wins. If tied, extra time legs and a bullseye penalty shootout decide the result.

How do you play footy darts 501?

Each half has a set number of legs (usually 5). Play each leg as standard 501 with a double-out finish. Every leg won is a goal. After both halves, the side with more goals wins. Extra time and penalties break ties.

How many players can play football darts?

Two players for singles, or teams of 2-4 per side. Larger groups work best in a tournament bracket format with multiple football darts matches running in sequence.

What is the difference between football darts and regular 501?

The individual legs are identical — 501, double out. The difference is the match structure: two halves, goals, extra time, and penalties instead of a simple "best of" format. Football darts adds team play and dramatic tension to the standard game.

Can beginners play football darts?

Absolutely. Use straight-out rules (no double required to finish) for newer players. The football structure keeps everyone engaged even in one-sided legs, because every goal matters in the overall match.

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Football darts turns a standard 501 session into something your whole group talks about for weeks. The comebacks, the penalties, the last-leg drama — it is everything good about pub darts with a competitive edge. Set up a match on Dartsy and see how your group handles the pressure when it is 4-4 going into the final leg.