The 2027 season of Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) competition is set to become one of the most densely packed and geographically diverse in the sport's modern history. Among the headline attractions are the debut of a brand‑new televised major – the European Open – and the landmark decision to stage a PDC European Tour event on French soil for the first time. Both developments promise to raise the profile of darts across the continent, but they also add another layer of difficulty for the sport's rising star, world number one Luke Littler, who is already chasing the rare achievement of winning every premier televised PDC title.
The inaugural European Open will be hosted in the Austrian city of Salzburg from June 18 to June 20, 2027. This three‑day tournament will sit directly after the World Cup of Darts, which returns to Frankfurt for its June 10‑13 edition, and will precede the World Matchplay in Blackpool, scheduled for July 17‑25. All PDC Tour Card holders will be eligible to compete, and the event will boast a substantial prize fund of £750,000, placing it firmly alongside the existing eleven majors. With the addition of this new championship, the total number of PDC televised majors climbs to twelve, creating an extra hurdle for any player aiming to complete a clean sweep of titles.
Luke Littler, who has already claimed several major crowns, now faces the prospect of adding the European Open to his résumé. The feat of winning every major televised event has only been accomplished once before, by the legendary Michael van Gerwen.
Littler's path has already been complicated by his decision to sit out a number of European circuit stops earlier in the year, a move that sparked speculation about his strategic priorities. The situation was further inflamed when he publicly threatened to boycott future tournaments in the Netherlands after being subjected to boos and whistling from the crowd during the World Series of Darts Finals. The introduction of yet another major could therefore make Littler's quest even more arduous. Beyond the European Open, the 2027 calendar also features a significant expansion of the European Championship.
The field will be enlarged to 48 competitors, and the tournament will stretch across six days of play, with a total prize pool of £1 million on offer. This expansion underscores the PDC's commitment to deepening the sport's footprint throughout Europe and providing more earning opportunities for professional players.
Perhaps the most historic change is the inclusion of France in the European Tour schedule. From March 19 to March 21, the town of Liévin will host the fourth event of a 15‑tournament European Tour season, marking the first time the tour will set foot in the country. This French stop follows earlier legs in Kiel (Germany), Kraków (Poland), and Riesa (Germany), and will be followed by a series of events across established venues in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, and the Netherlands throughout the remainder of the year.
The French tournament is expected to attract new fans, sponsors, and media interest, further cementing darts as a pan‑European sport. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter commented on the sweeping changes, noting that they reflect "the continued growth of darts across Europe" and represent "another significant step forward for the PDC circuit." He highlighted that the expanded European Championship, the new European Open, and increased prize money across the tour demonstrate the sport's strength and the organization's dedication to creating more pathways for players at every level. Porter also announced heightened investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, which serve as the breeding ground for future talent.
The 2027 season will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes (UK) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4 to January 10, where aspiring professionals can earn a coveted Tour Card. Shortly thereafter, the Winmau World Masters will be held in Milton Keynes from January 27 to 31.
The Premier League will then launch in Glasgow on February 4, embarking on a 17‑night tour that travels across the United Kingdom and Europe before culminating in the Finals Night at London's O2 Arena on May 27. The Players Championship series will also get underway in February, featuring 34 events spread throughout the UK and Europe. Meanwhile, the European Tour will begin in Kiel from February 12‑14 before breaking new ground in Liévin, France, the following month.
After the World Cup and the European Open in June, the World Matchplay will return to Blackpool's historic Winter Gardens, concluding on July 25 alongside the inaugural Women's World Matchplay. The second half of the season sees the European Tour resume in Leverkusen (Germany) in July, with subsequent stops in Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands). The World Grand Prix will be staged in Leicester from September 27 to October 3, and the expanded European Championship will occupy six days in Dortmund from October 26 to 31.
The Grand Slam of Darts will follow in Wolverhampton from November 6 to 14, and the Players Championship Finals will close out the tour season in Minehead from November 26 to 28. The year will culminate with the World Darts Championship at London's iconic Alexandra Palace in December, a tournament that traditionally runs into early January. In addition to the main tour, the PDC's Challenge and Development Tours will undergo structural changes in 2027.
Both circuits will now consist of six three‑day weekends, with a single 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, ensuring that even lower‑ranked competitors receive a financial reward for their participation.
Broadcast coverage remains anchored by Sky Sports, which will 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). For viewers who prefer streaming, the NOW platform will continue to provide live darts action without the need for a long‑term contract.
Overall, the 2027 PDC calendar promises a record‑breaking array of tournaments, new venues, and increased prize money, all designed to fuel the sport's expansion across Europe and beyond. While the schedule offers more opportunities for players to showcase their talents and earn a living, it also raises the bar for those, like Luke Littler, who aspire to dominate every major stage.
The coming year will be a true test of endurance, skill, and adaptability for the sport's elite, and fans can look forward to a thrilling, globe‑spanning darts season.