The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become the busiest and most diverse yet, highlighted by the launch of the European Open and the debut of a PDC European Tour event on French soil. While these additions signal the sport’s rapid expansion across the continent, they also introduce fresh obstacles for rising star Luke Littler, whose ambition to capture every major televised title could be tested more than ever before.
The centerpiece of the new calendar is the inaugural European Open, slated for June 18-20 in the Austrian city of Salzburg. This three‑day tournament will sit directly after the World Cup of Darts, which returns to Frankfurt from June 10-13, and before the traditional 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 £750,000 prize pool. By adding this competition, the PDC raises the total count of televised majors from eleven to twelve, creating an extra rung on the ladder of elite achievements. For world number one Luke Littler, the new major represents both opportunity and pressure.
Littler has already claimed several high‑profile titles, but the only player to have completed a clean sweep of the PDC’s premier televised events remains Michael van Gerwen. Littler’s recent decision to sit out a number of European circuit stops, combined with his public threat to boycott Dutch tournaments after being booed and whistled at the World Series of Darts Finals, has already drawn attention. The European Open now adds another critical checkpoint on his quest for a historic grand slam. The European circuit itself is undergoing a major overhaul.
The European Championship will expand to feature 48 competitors over six days, with the prize fund swelling to £1 million. Meanwhile, the European Tour will make its historic first visit to France, with the town of Lievin hosting the fourth leg of the 15‑event season from March 19-21, just before the Easter holidays. This French stop follows earlier Tour stops in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland), and Riesa (Germany), and will be followed by a return to established venues across Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands throughout the year.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter praised the schedule changes as a reflection of darts’ burgeoning popularity across Europe. He emphasized that the new European Open, the enlarged European Championship, and the increased prize money on the Tour all demonstrate the sport’s strength and the organization’s commitment to providing more opportunities for players at every level. Porter also highlighted additional investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, which aim to nurture emerging talent and create a clearer pathway to the professional ranks. The 2027 calendar will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes (England) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4-10, giving aspiring professionals a chance to earn a Tour Card.
The Winmau World Masters will follow in Milton Keynes from January 27-31. The Premier League will then launch in Glasgow on February 4, beginning 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 circuit will also start in February, featuring 34 events spread throughout the UK and Europe over the course of the year. The European Tour will open in Kiel from February 12-14 and then break new ground with its French debut in March.
After the World Cup and European Open in June, the World Matchplay will return to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, concluding on July 25 alongside the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay. The Tour will resume in July with an event in Leverkusen (Germany) and continue with stops in Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) during 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 from October 26-31. The Grand Slam of Darts will move to Wolverhampton for November 6-14, and the Players Championship Finals will return to Minehead from November 26-28. The year will close with the World Darts Championship at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace in December. Further refinements are planned for the Challenge and Development Tours in 2027.
Both circuits will be organized over 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 last 128 participants, ensuring a broader distribution of earnings and greater financial incentive for up‑and‑coming players. Broadcast coverage remains anchored with Sky Sports, which will continue to air the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship live.
Fans can also stream matches via the NOW platform without a contractual commitment, offering flexible viewing options. In summary, 2027 promises a landmark year for professional darts, marked by geographic expansion, increased prize funds, and a richer slate of major tournaments.
While the new European Open adds another coveted title for players to chase, it also tightens the race for Luke Littler, who now faces an even more demanding path to match Michael van Gerwen’s historic clean sweep of PDC majors. The season’s breadth and depth should provide plenty of drama for supporters and a solid platform for the sport’s continued growth across Europe and beyond.