The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become one of the busiest and most diverse ever, highlighted by the debut of the European Open and the inaugural PDC European Tour stop in France. While these additions underline the sport's rapid expansion across the continent, they also tighten the competitive landscape for rising star Luke Littler, whose ambition to capture every major televised title could become even more elusive.
The centerpiece of the new slate is the European Open, a three‑day tournament slated for June 18‑20 in the Austrian city of Salzburg. Unlike most events that feature a limited field, the European Open will open its doors to every PDC Tour Card holder, creating a massive pool of talent competing for a £750,000 prize fund. This substantial purse and the inclusive format push the total count of PDC majors from eleven to twelve, adding another coveted trophy for players to chase. For Luke Littler, currently perched at world number one, the extra major represents a fresh hurdle on his quest for a clean sweep of all premier televised titles—a distinction that only Michael van Gerwen has achieved to date.
Littler’s path to that historic feat has already been complicated by his decision to skip several European circuit events earlier in the season, a move that sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. The situation grew more contentious after he publicly threatened to boycott tournaments in the Netherlands following a hostile reception—booing and whistling—during the World Series of Darts Finals.
The introduction of the European Open therefore adds another high‑stakes target for Littler to aim at, potentially forcing him to adjust his schedule and preparation to remain competitive across an even broader array of events. The European circuit itself is undergoing a major overhaul.
The European Championship will expand to accommodate 48 players and will stretch across six days of competition, with a total prize pool of £1 million on the line. This expansion not only raises the financial stakes but also offers more ranking points and exposure for a wider group of professionals. Meanwhile, the European Tour will break new ground by traveling to France for the first time in its history. The French leg, hosted in the town of Lievin, will be the fourth stop of a 15‑tournament season, taking place from March 19‑21, just before the Easter holidays.
This event follows earlier 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 revamp, emphasizing that the growth of darts across Europe has been "hugely exciting" and that the new events reflect a commitment to broaden opportunities for players at every level. He highlighted that the increased prize money on the European Tour, the expanded European Championship, and the addition of the European Open all signal the sport's robust health and its ambition to nurture talent from the grassroots to the elite. Porter also announced heightened investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, aiming to provide more financial rewards and competitive chances for emerging players navigating the professional pathway.
The 2027 calendar will kick off with the traditional Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes (UK) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4‑10, where aspiring professionals can earn their Tour Cards. Shortly thereafter, the Winmau World Masters returns to Milton Keynes for a five‑day showdown from January 27‑31. The Premier League season then launches in Glasgow on February 4, embarking on a 17‑night tour that will span venues across the United Kingdom and Europe, culminating in Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. Parallel to the Premier League, the Players Championship circuit will commence in February, featuring 34 events spread across the UK and continental Europe.
The European Tour will open in Kiel from February 12‑14 before making its historic French debut the following month. After the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt (June 10‑13) and the newly minted European Open in Salzburg, the season’s marquee event—the World Matchplay—will return to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from July 17‑25, concluding with the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay on the same weekend. The tour will resume in July with a European Tour stop in Leverkusen (Germany), followed by tournaments in 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 expanded European Championship will occupy six days in Dortmund from October 26‑31.
The Grand Slam of Darts will then move to Wolverhampton for a nine‑day festival from November 6‑14, and the Players Championship Finals will close out the competitive season in Minehead from November 26‑28. The year will finish with the sport’s flagship event, the World Darts Championship, staged at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace in December. In addition to the main tour, the PDC’s Challenge and Development Tours will undergo structural changes in 2027. Both circuits will be organized over six three‑day weekends, with a tournament scheduled each day.
Prize money for each event will rise to £30,000, and payouts will extend down to the last 128 participants, ensuring that even lower‑ranked competitors receive a financial boost. 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 to early January). For viewers seeking streaming options, the NOW platform will continue to provide live darts coverage without the need for a long‑term contract. Overall, the 2027 PDC season promises a blend of tradition and innovation: new venues, expanded prize pools, and an additional major that together elevate the sport’s profile across Europe and beyond.
For Luke Littler, the expanded schedule means more opportunities to prove his mettle, but also a tighter race to join Michael van Gerwen in the exclusive club of players who have claimed every major televised title. The coming months will test his adaptability, stamina, and strategic planning as he navigates an increasingly crowded and competitive calendar.