The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become the most packed and diverse ever, highlighted by the debut of a brand‑new televised major and the first European Tour stop in France. These additions promise to raise the sport’s profile across the continent, but they also add another obstacle for rising star Luke Littler, whose ambition to win every premier PDC title could be tested more than ever before. The headline attraction for the year will be the inaugural European Open, slated for June 18‑20 in Salzburg, Austria. Unlike a typical tour event, the European Open will be open to every player holding a PDC Tour Card and will feature a hefty £750,000 prize fund.
By inserting this three‑day competition between the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt (June 10‑13) and the World Matchplay in Blackpool (July 17‑25), the PDC lifts the total number of televised majors from eleven to twelve. This expansion means that world number one Luke Littler now has one more elite title to chase if he hopes to emulate Michael van Gerwen’s unique clean‑sweep of all major championships.
Littler’s path to a complete major collection has already been complicated by his recent decisions to sit out several European circuit events and his outspoken threat to boycott Dutch tournaments after a hostile reception at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he was booed and whistled. The new European Open therefore adds another layer of pressure, as any slip‑up could delay or even derail his quest for a historic Grand Slam of titles.
In parallel with the new major, the European Championship will be expanded to accommodate 48 players over six days of competition, with the prize pool swelling to £1 million. This enlargement reflects the PDC’s broader strategy to grow the sport’s footprint throughout Europe, providing more earning opportunities and exposure for both established stars and up‑and‑coming talent. Perhaps the most symbolic development for 2027 is the European Tour’s first venture into France. From March 19‑21, the town of Lievin will host the fourth event of a fifteen‑tournament tour, positioned just before the Easter holidays.
This French stop follows earlier stops in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland), and Riesa (Germany), and it will be followed by a series of events across the continent, including returns to long‑standing venues in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands. The inclusion of France not only diversifies the geographic spread of the tour but also signals the PDC’s confidence in the sport’s growing popularity in the country. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter praised the calendar overhaul, describing it as a “significant step forward” that mirrors the rapid expansion of darts throughout Europe. He highlighted that the new European Open, the enlarged European Championship, and the boosted prize money across the European Tour all demonstrate the sport’s strength and the organization’s dedication to creating more competitive opportunities.
Porter also noted increased investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, which will now feature six three‑day weekends with a £30,000 prize purse for each event, paying out to the last 128 players and offering a clearer pathway for aspiring professionals. The 2027 season will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes (UK) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4‑10, allowing hopefuls to earn their Tour Cards.
The Winmau World Masters follows in Milton Keynes from January 27‑31, and the Premier League launches in Glasgow on February 4, beginning a 17‑night tour that will travel across the UK and Europe before culminating in Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. The Players Championship series will also commence in February, with 34 events spread throughout the year across various venues in the UK and Europe.
Meanwhile, the European Tour will start in Kiel (February 12‑14) before breaking new ground in France the following month. After the World Cup and European Open in June, the World Matchplay will return to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens for a nine‑day showdown that ends on July 25, alongside the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay. The tour will resume in July with a European Tour leg in Leverkusen, Germany, and will continue through Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) during the latter half of the season. September 27‑October 3 will see the World Grand Prix back in Leicester, while the European Championship will expand to a six‑day festival in Dortmund from October 26‑31.
November will bring the Grand Slam of Darts to Wolverhampton (November 6‑14) and the Players Championship Finals to Minehead (November 26‑28). The calendar 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. Fans can also stream matches via the NOW platform without a contract, ensuring broad accessibility for a global audience. Overall, 2027 promises a landmark year for professional darts, marked by increased prize money, a broader tournament roster, and historic geographic expansion. While these developments will likely boost the sport’s visibility and attract new talent, they also raise the competitive bar for players like Luke Littler, who must now navigate an even more demanding schedule to achieve the ultimate major‑winning milestone.