The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become even more crowded and competitive, thanks to the launch of a brand‑new major tournament and the historic arrival of a European Tour event in France. While these developments signal the sport’s continued expansion across the continent, they also raise the stakes for rising star Luke Littler, who is already chasing a rare clean‑sweep of all the PDC’s flagship televised titles—a feat only Michael van Gerwen has managed so far. 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 competition 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 be open to every player holding a PDC Tour Card and will offer a substantial £750,000 prize fund, effectively raising the total count of PDC majors from eleven to twelve. For Littler, the addition of another major means an extra hurdle on his quest to win every premier televised event. At just 19, the English prodigy already holds the world number‑one ranking and has already claimed several high‑profile titles, but the European Open will give him yet another chance—and another pressure point—to prove his mettle.
The only other player to have achieved a clean sweep of PDC majors is the Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen, whose record remains the gold standard for modern darts. Littler’s recent schedule has been a topic of discussion among fans and commentators alike.
Earlier this year he chose to sit out several European circuit stops, a decision that sparked speculation about his long‑term strategy. The controversy deepened after he publicly threatened to boycott events in the Netherlands following a hostile reception—booing and whistling—at the World Series of Darts Finals.
Whether the new European Open will entice him back onto the European stage remains to be seen, but the added prestige and prize money could be a compelling incentive. The European circuit itself is undergoing a major overhaul. The European Championship will expand to a 48‑player field and stretch across six days, with a £1 million prize pool on offer.
Meanwhile, the European Tour will break new ground by staging its first ever tournament in France. The French leg, hosted by the town of Lievin, will take place from March 19‑21, just before the Easter holidays, and will be the fourth event in a 15‑tournament season.
This French stop follows recent Tour stops in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland), and Riesa (Germany), and the circuit will continue to visit established venues across Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands throughout the year. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter highlighted the significance of these changes, noting that they reflect the sport’s rapid growth across Europe and the desire to create more opportunities for players at every level.
"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," Porter said. He added that the increased prize money and expanded tournament formats demonstrate the PDC’s commitment to supporting both elite competitors and those climbing the professional ladder via the Challenge and Development Tours. The 2027 calendar kicks off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes and Kalkar from January 4‑10, giving aspiring pros a chance to earn Tour Cards.
The Winmau World Masters follows in Milton Keynes from January 27‑31, and the Premier League begins on February 4 in Glasgow, embarking on a 17‑night tour that will travel across the UK and Europe before culminating in a Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. February also marks the start of the Players Championship circuit, which will feature 34 events spread throughout the UK and Europe. The European Tour launches in Kiel from February 12‑14, then moves to France for its maiden French event in March.
After the World Cup and the newly introduced European Open in June, the World Matchplay returns to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, running for nine days and concluding on July 25 alongside the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay. The Tour resumes in July with a stop in Leverkusen, Germany, before heading to Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) during the latter half of the season. September sees the World Grand Prix back in Leicester (September 27‑October 3), while the European Championship expands to a six‑day showdown in Dortmund from October 26‑31.
The Grand Slam of Darts will be staged in Wolverhampton from November 6‑14, and the Players Championship Finals will return to Minehead for a three‑day finale (November 26‑28). The year will close with the World Darts Championship at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace in December, a fitting climax to a packed schedule. In addition to the headline events, the PDC is revamping its developmental pathways.
Both the Challenge Tour and the Development Tour will run across six three‑day weekends, with a tournament scheduled each day. Prize money for these events will rise to £30,000 per tournament, and payouts will now extend down to the last 128 players, providing a more substantial financial incentive for emerging talent. Broadcast coverage remains anchored with Sky Sports, which will air the World Grand Prix (late September to early October), the Grand Slam of Darts (mid‑November), and the World Darts Championship (early December through early January). Fans can also stream matches via the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free access to live darts action.
Overall, 2027 promises to be a landmark year for professional darts. The introduction of the European Open adds a fresh major to the calendar, the expansion of the European Championship and Tour boosts prize money and player opportunities, and the historic French stop underscores the sport’s pan‑European appeal. For Luke Littler, these changes represent both a challenge and an opportunity: to cement his status as the sport’s next dominant force and perhaps become the second player ever to claim every major PDC title. The upcoming season will test his resolve, adaptability, and skill, while fans worldwide can look forward to a richer, more diverse slate of tournaments than ever before.