The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become one of the busiest ever, highlighted by the debut of the European Open and the historic arrival of a PDC European Tour stop in France. While these additions promise to broaden the sport’s reach across the continent, they also introduce fresh obstacles for rising star Luke Littler, whose ambition to claim every major televised title could now be even more demanding.
The centerpiece of the revamped calendar is the inaugural European Open, slated for June 18-20 in the Austrian city of Salzburg. This three‑day showdown will sit directly after the World Cup of Darts, which returns to Frankfurt from June 10-13, and before the World Matchplay in Blackpool, scheduled for July 17-25. The European Open will welcome every holder of a PDC Tour Card and will boast a £750,000 prize fund, pushing the total number of PDC majors from eleven to twelve.
For world number one Luke Littler, the new major represents another rung on the ladder toward a clean sweep of all premier televised events – a distinction currently held only by Michael van Gerwen. Littler’s path has already been complicated by his decision to sit out several European‑circuit tournaments earlier in the season, and by a recent controversy in which he threatened to boycott Dutch events after being booed and whistled at the World Series of Darts Finals. The European Open therefore adds a fresh test that could delay or derail his quest for a full set of titles.
The European circuit itself is expanding dramatically. The European Championship will grow to feature 48 competitors over six days, with a total prize pool of £1 million. Moreover, the European Tour will venture into French territory for the first time in March 2027, with the town of Lievin hosting the fourth stop of a 15‑event series from March 19-21, just before the Easter holidays. This French leg follows earlier stops in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland) and Riesa (Germany), and the tour will continue to swing through established venues across Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands throughout the year.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter highlighted that these changes reflect the sport’s rapid growth across Europe and aim to provide more opportunities for players at every level. He noted, "The continued growth of darts across Europe has been hugely exciting to see, and these developments represent another significant step forward for the PDC circuit. The introduction of the European Open, alongside an expanded European Championship and increased prize money across the European Tour, reflects the strength of the sport and our commitment to creating more opportunities for players.
We're also delighted to be increasing investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, providing greater opportunities and rewards for players throughout the professional pathway. 2027 promises to be another hugely exciting year for the PDC and we look forward to continuing the sport's growth across Europe and around the world." The season will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes and Kalkar from January 4-10, followed by the Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes (January 27-31). The Premier League will then launch in Glasgow on February 4, embarking on a 17‑night tour across the UK and Europe before culminating in Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 27.
The Players Championship series will also begin in February, featuring 34 events spread across the UK and Europe. The European Tour’s first leg will be in Kiel (February 12-14), after which the circuit will break new ground in France the following month.
After the World Cup and the new European Open in June, the World Matchplay will return to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, concluding on July 25 alongside the Women’s World Matchplay. The tour will resume in July with an event in Leverkusen, Germany, before moving on to Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) in the latter half of the season. The World Grand Prix will be staged in Leicester from September 27 to October 3, while the expanded European Championship will occupy six days in Dortmund (October 26-31). The Grand Slam of Darts will follow in Wolverhampton (November 6-14), and the Players Championship Finals will return to Minehead (November 26-28).
The calendar will close with the World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace in December. In addition to the main tour, the PDC’s Challenge and Development Tours will undergo revisions in 2027.
Both circuits will consist of six three‑day weekends, with a tournament held each day. Prize money for each event will rise to £30,000, and payouts will extend down to the players ranked in the last 128, offering a broader financial safety net for emerging talent. Broadcast coverage remains anchored with Sky Sports, which will continue to air the World Grand Prix (September 28‑October 4), the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14‑22) and the World Darts Championship (December 10‑January 3). Fans can also stream matches via the NOW platform without a contractual commitment.
Overall, the 2027 PDC agenda promises a richer, more geographically diverse season that will test the endurance and versatility of established stars like Luke Littler while opening doors for the next generation of darts professionals across Europe.