The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become the busiest and most diverse it has ever been, highlighted by the debut of the European Open and the historic arrival of a PDC European Tour stop in France. These additions not only enrich the sport’s footprint across the continent but also introduce fresh hurdles for rising star Luke Littler, who is chasing the rare achievement of winning every major televised PDC title. 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.
The European Open will be open to every holder of a PDC Tour Card and will boast a prize fund of £750,000, pushing the total number of PDC majors from eleven to twelve. By expanding the major roster, the PDC is giving players another high‑stakes arena in which to test their mettle and earn prestige.
For world number one Luke Littler, the new major represents a double‑edged sword. Littler, only 23, has already claimed several marquee titles, but the coveted clean sweep of all PDC televised majors remains elusive.
Michael van Gerwen is the sole player to have completed the feat, and Littler’s path now includes one more trophy to chase. The pressure is amplified by recent controversy: Littler chose to sit out several European circuit events earlier in the season and publicly threatened to boycott Dutch tournaments after a hostile reception at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he was booed and whistled.
Adding the European Open to the schedule could tighten the window for him to secure the remaining titles before the next season begins. The European circuit itself is undergoing a substantial 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 venture into French territory for the first time ever.
The town of Lievin will host the fourth event of a 15‑tournament season from March 19‑21, just before the Easter holidays. This French stop follows earlier Tour legs in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland), and Riesa (Germany), and the circuit will continue to rotate through established venues in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands throughout the year. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter praised the expansion, saying it reflects the sport’s “continued growth across Europe” and demonstrates a commitment to providing more opportunities at every professional level. He highlighted the simultaneous increase in prize money for the Challenge and Development Tours, which will now feature six three‑day weekends with a £30,000 purse per event and payouts extending to the last 128 competitors.
These enhancements aim to strengthen the pathway for emerging talent and ensure a robust pipeline of future stars. The 2027 calendar kicks off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes (England) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4‑10, allowing aspiring professionals to earn Tour Cards.
The Winmau World Masters follows in Milton Keynes from January 27‑31. The Premier League then launches in Glasgow on February 4, embarking on a 17‑night tour across the UK and Europe before culminating in a Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. Parallel to the Premier League, the Players Championship series will commence in February, delivering 34 events across the UK and Europe throughout the year. The European Tour begins in Kiel from February 12‑14 and then breaks new ground with its French debut in March.
After the World Cup and European Open in June, the season’s marquee events continue with the World Matchplay at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, concluding on July 25 alongside the Women’s World Matchplay. The Tour resumes in July with a stop in Leverkusen (Germany) before moving to Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) for the latter half of the season.
September sees the World Grand Prix return to Leicester (September 27‑October 3), and the expanded European Championship will occupy six days in Dortmund from October 26‑31. The Grand Slam of Darts heads to Wolverhampton from November 6‑14, and the Players Championship Finals close the year in Minehead from November 26‑28. The season culminates with the World Darts Championship at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace in December. Broadcast coverage remains anchored by 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 contractual commitment, ensuring broad accessibility. Overall, 2027 promises a transformative year for darts, marked by geographic expansion, increased prize funds, and an extra major that will test the ambitions of established champions like Luke Littler while providing fresh stages for the sport’s next generation.
The blend of tradition and innovation aims to solidify darts’ status as a truly global spectacle, delivering excitement for players and audiences alike.