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 stop in France. These developments promise to add excitement for fans across the continent, but they also raise the stakes for rising star Luke Littler, whose quest to claim every premier televised title could become considerably more challenging.
One of the headline attractions for the upcoming season is the inaugural European Open, which will be staged in the Austrian city of Salzburg from June 18 to June 20. This three‑day event will sit on the calendar directly after the World Cup of Darts, which returns to Frankfurt for its June 10‑13 edition, and before the World Matchplay in Blackpool, scheduled for July 17‑25. The European Open will be open to every player who holds a PDC Tour Card, and it will feature a substantial prize fund of £750,000, placing it firmly alongside the sport’s existing majors.
With the addition of the European Open, the total count of PDC majors rises from eleven to twelve. For world number one Luke Littler, this means another trophy to chase on his path to achieving a clean sweep of all the organization’s flagship televised events – a feat that, to date, has only been accomplished by Michael van Gerwen. Littler’s ambitions have already been tested this year; he chose to sit out several stops on the European circuit and even threatened to boycott Dutch tournaments after a hostile reception at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he was booed and whistled by the crowd. The new major adds further pressure, as he will now have to navigate an even tighter schedule and a deeper field of elite competitors.
The European circuit itself is also expanding dramatically. The European Championship will be enlarged to accommodate 48 players and will stretch over six days, with a total prize pool of £1 million on offer. Meanwhile, the European Tour will make its debut in France next year, with the town of Lievin hosting the fourth event of a 15‑tournament season from March 19 to March 21, just before the Easter holidays.
This French stop follows earlier Tour events in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland) and Riesa (Germany), and the circuit will continue to rotate through established venues in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands throughout 2027. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter highlighted that these changes reflect the sport’s rapid growth across Europe and underline the organization’s commitment to providing more opportunities for players at every level.
He said, "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. The introduction of the European Open, alongside an expanded European Championship and increased prize money across the European Tour, reflects the strength of the sport and our commitment to creating more opportunities for players. We're also delighted to be increasing investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, providing greater opportunities and rewards for players throughout the professional pathway.
2027 promises to be another hugely exciting year for the PDC and we look forward to continuing the sport's growth across Europe and around the world." The 2027 calendar will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes and Kalkar from January 4 to January 10, followed by the Winmau World Masters 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 will travel across the United Kingdom and Europe before culminating in the Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 27. February also marks the start of the Players Championship circuit, which will feature 34 events spread throughout the UK and Europe over the course of the year.
The European Tour will begin in Kiel from February 12 to 14, before breaking new ground with its first French venue the following month. After the World Cup and the 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 will continue with stops in Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) during the second half of the season. September will see the World Grand Prix back in Leicester from September 27 to October 3, while the European Championship will expand to a six‑day format in Dortmund from October 26 to 31. November’s marquee events include the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (November 6‑14) and the Players Championship Finals in Minehead (November 26‑28). The year will close with the World Darts Championship at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace in December, a fitting finale to a packed schedule.
In addition to the marquee events, the PDC’s Challenge and Development Tours will also undergo revisions for 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 players, providing a more substantial financial incentive for emerging talent. Broadcast coverage remains anchored with Sky Sports, which will continue to 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 also deliver live darts action without a contractual commitment. Overall, the 2027 PDC season promises a blend of tradition and innovation: new venues, expanded prize pools, and an extra major that will test the mettle of established stars and hungry newcomers alike.
For Luke Littler, the added European Open represents both an opportunity and an obstacle on his road to a historic clean sweep. For the broader darts community, the expanded calendar signals a sport that is thriving, reaching new audiences, and solidifying its place as one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing professional competitions in the world.