Littler Faces New Hurdles as PDC Announces Additional Major and France Hosts First European Tour Event

The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become even more packed, with two headline additions that could tighten the race for world number one Luke Littler. First, the brand‑new European Open will debut in Salzburg, Austria, from June 18 to 20, and second, France will host its inaugural European Tour stop in the town of Lievin from March 19 to 21.

Both events sit alongside a host of existing tournaments, creating a calendar that is richer, longer, and more demanding than any previous season. The European Open marks a significant milestone for the sport.

It will be a three‑day competition featuring every PDC Tour Card holder, all competing for a substantial £750,000 prize fund. By adding this tournament, the PDC lifts the total count of televised majors from eleven to twelve.

For a player like Luke Littler, who already holds the world number one ranking, the extra major represents another obstacle on his quest to match Michael van Gerwen’s historic clean sweep of all premier televised titles. Van Gerwen remains the only darts player to have captured every major, and Littler’s ambition to join that elite club now faces an additional test.

Littler’s recent schedule choices have already drawn attention. Earlier in the year he chose to sit out several European circuit events, a decision that sparked speculation about his focus and stamina. The tension escalated after he publicly threatened to boycott Dutch tournaments following a hostile reception—booing and whistling—at the World Series of Darts Finals.

The new European Open, therefore, arrives at a moment when Littler’s relationship with the tour and its fans is under scrutiny, and his participation—or lack thereof—could have broader implications for his standing within the sport. Beyond the new major, the European Championship will also expand.

The field will increase to 48 players, the competition will stretch across six days, and the prize pool will swell to £1 million. This expansion reflects the PDC’s broader strategy to deepen its presence across the continent, offering more opportunities and higher stakes for professionals at all levels. The European Tour’s historic venture into France adds another layer of excitement. Lievin will host the fourth event of a 15‑tournament season, scheduled for the weekend before Easter.

This French stop follows earlier legs in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland), and Riesa (Germany). Throughout 2027, the tour will also revisit established venues in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, and the Netherlands, ensuring a truly pan‑European circuit. Matt Porter, the PDC’s chief executive, highlighted the significance of these developments.

He said the growth of darts across Europe has been “hugely exciting,” and that the new events illustrate the sport’s expanding footprint. Porter emphasized that the European Open, the enlarged European Championship, and the increased prize money across the Tour demonstrate the PDC’s commitment to creating more competitive opportunities.

He also noted that investment in the Challenge and Development Tours will rise, providing a stronger pathway for emerging talent. The 2027 calendar kicks off with the Q‑School qualifiers in Milton Keynes (UK) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4‑10, followed by the Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes (January 27‑31). The Premier League then launches in Glasgow on February 4, beginning a 17‑night series that travels across the UK and Europe, culminating in a Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. The Players Championship series will also start in February, featuring 34 events spread throughout the UK and Europe.

Meanwhile, the European Tour opens in Kiel (February 12‑14) before breaking new ground in France the following month. After the World Cup of Darts returns to Frankfurt (June 10‑13), the European Open will take place in Salzburg, and the World Matchplay will resume at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from July 17‑25, ending with the Women’s World Matchplay on the same day.

The Tour then heads back to the continent, with a July leg in Leverkusen (Germany) and subsequent stops in Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary), and Maastricht (Netherlands). The World Grand Prix returns to Leicester (September 27‑October 3), and the European Championship will be staged over six days in Dortmund (October 26‑31).

The Grand Slam of Darts follows in Wolverhampton (November 6‑14), and the Players Championship Finals close out the season in Minehead (November 26‑28). The year caps off with the World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace in December. In parallel, the Challenge and Development Tours will be overhauled for 2027. Both circuits will now consist of six three‑day weekends, with a tournament each day, and prize money will rise to £30,000 per event, extending payouts down to the last 128 players.

This financial boost aims to reward a wider pool of competitors and encourage deeper participation. Broadcast coverage remains anchored with Sky Sports, which will air the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship. Additionally, fans can stream matches via the NOW platform without a contract, ensuring that the sport’s growing audience can follow the action across multiple channels. Overall, 2027 promises to be a landmark year for professional darts, marked by geographic expansion, increased prize funds, and a denser schedule of high‑profile events.

For Luke Littler, the added European Open and the broader European circuit may represent the toughest challenge yet in his pursuit of a complete major sweep, while the sport as a whole stands poised to reach new heights across the continent.