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

The 2027 season of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) is set to become one of the most packed and dynamic calendars in recent memory, highlighted by the debut of the European Open and the historic arrival of a PDC European Tour stop in France. While these developments signal the sport’s continued expansion across the continent, they also add another obstacle for rising star Luke Littler, who is already eyeing a clean sweep of all the PDC’s flagship televised tournaments—a milestone previously achieved only by Michael van Gerwen. The centerpiece of the new schedule is the inaugural European Open, scheduled for June 18‑20 in Salzburg, Austria.

This three‑day competition will sit directly after the World Cup of Darts, which returns to Frankfurt from June 10‑13, and before the World Matchplay, which heads to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens for its traditional July 17‑25 slot. The European Open will be open to every holder of a PDC Tour Card and will boast a prize pool of £750,000, thereby raising the total count of PDC majors from eleven to twelve.

For Littler, the added major represents a fresh hurdle on his quest to claim every major title on the PDC circuit. Having already secured several high‑profile victories, the English prodigy now faces the prospect of another high‑stakes showdown that could either cement his status as a future legend or delay his ambition to match van Gerwen’s unique accomplishment. Littler’s recent schedule choices have already drawn attention.

Earlier in the year he elected to skip a number of events on the European circuit, a decision that sparked speculation about his long‑term strategy. The situation was further complicated when he publicly threatened to boycott tournaments in the Netherlands after a contentious incident at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he was booed and whistled by the crowd.

The new European Open therefore arrives at a time when Littler’s relationship with the broader European tour is under close scrutiny. The European circuit itself is undergoing a substantial overhaul. The European Championship will expand to feature 48 competitors and will stretch across six days of competition, with a total prize fund of £1 million on the line.

Meanwhile, the European Tour will break new ground by traveling to France for the first time in its history. The French event, slated for March 19‑21 in the town of Lievin, will be the fourth stop in a fifteen‑tournament season and will sit just before the Easter holidays, offering fans a fresh destination and players an additional chance to earn ranking points.

This French venture follows recent Tour stops in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland), and Riesa (Germany) and will be followed by a return to familiar venues across Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands throughout the remainder of 2027. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter praised the expansion, noting that the sport’s growth across Europe has been “hugely exciting” and that the new events reflect a commitment to providing more opportunities for professionals at every level. Porter also highlighted increased investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, which will see prize money rise to £30,000 per event and payouts extended down to the last 128 players. Both tours will now be contested over six three‑day weekends, with a tournament scheduled each day, further strengthening the pathway for emerging talent.

The broader 2027 calendar kicks off with Qualifying Schools 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, embarking on a 17‑night journey across the UK and Europe before culminating in Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. The Players Championship circuit will also get underway in February, featuring 34 events spread across the UK and Europe.

The European Tour begins in Kiel (February 12‑14) before moving to its French debut in March. After the World Cup and European Open in June, the World Matchplay returns to Blackpool, concluding on July 25 alongside the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay. The Tour resumes in July with a stop in Leverkusen, Germany, and continues through Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) during the second half of the season.

September sees the World Grand Prix back in Leicester (September 27‑October 3), while the expanded European Championship will be contested in Dortmund from October 26‑31. November’s marquee events include the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (November 6‑14) and the Players Championship Finals in Minehead (November 26‑28). The year will close with the iconic World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace, running from early December into early January.

Broadcast coverage remains anchored with Sky Sports, which will air the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship live. Additionally, fans can stream matches and related content via the NOW platform without a contractual commitment.

In summary, the 2027 PDC schedule promises unprecedented growth, a richer array of tournaments, and heightened financial incentives for players at every tier. For Luke Littler, the added European Open and the broadened European circuit represent both an opportunity to showcase his talent on new stages and a fresh test on his path to becoming the sport’s next all‑major champion.