The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become even more crowded, with two headline additions that could make Luke Littler's quest for a complete collection of major titles considerably tougher. First, the PDC will launch the inaugural European Open in Salzburg, Austria, from June 18 to June 20.
Second, the organization will stage its very first European Tour stop in France, specifically in the town of Lievin, from March 19 to March 21. Both events sit alongside a host of existing tournaments, creating a packed calendar that promises more opportunities for players but also raises the bar for those aiming to dominate the sport. The European Open will be a three‑day, £750,000‑prize‑fund competition open to every holder of a PDC Tour Card.
By adding this tournament, the total number of PDC majors rises from eleven to twelve, meaning that the elite player who wishes to claim every major title now has an extra hurdle to clear. To date, only Michael van Gerwen has achieved a clean sweep of all the PDC’s premier televised events, and world number one Luke Littler is the only other player who has publicly set his sights on replicating that feat. The new major arrives at a time when Littler has already been selective about his schedule, having skipped several European circuit stops earlier in the year. His recent decision to threaten a boycott of Dutch events—prompted by a hostile reception that included boos and whistles at the World Series of Darts Finals—adds further intrigue to how he will navigate the expanded slate.
Beyond the European Open, the European Championship will also be expanded. The field will grow to 48 competitors, the tournament will stretch over six days, and the prize pool will climb to £1 million.
This enlargement reflects the PDC’s broader strategy of deepening its footprint across the continent. The European Tour, which already travels to a variety of venues in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands, will make its debut in France next year. Lievin will host the fourth event of a 15‑tournament European Tour season, taking place the weekend before Easter.
This French stop follows earlier legs in Kiel (Germany), Krakow (Poland) and Riesa (Germany), underscoring the tour’s commitment to reaching new markets. PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter highlighted the significance of these developments, emphasizing that the sport’s growth in Europe has been “hugely exciting.” He noted that the new major, the expanded championship, and the increased prize money across the tour all demonstrate the PDC’s dedication to providing more opportunities for players at every level—from seasoned tour‑card holders to emerging talent on the Challenge and Development Tours. Porter also announced that investment in those lower‑tier circuits will rise, with prize money for each event climbing to £30,000 and payouts extending down to the last 128 participants. This financial boost aims to make the professional pathway more rewarding and sustainable for up‑and‑coming darts players.
The 2027 calendar will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes (England) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4 to January 10, allowing aspiring professionals to earn tour cards. The Winmau World Masters will follow in Milton Keynes from January 27 to January 31. The Premier League will then launch in Glasgow on February 4, beginning a 17‑night series that travels across the United Kingdom and Europe, culminating in Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. Meanwhile, the Players Championship circuit will get underway in February, featuring 34 events spread throughout the UK and Europe over the course of the year.
The European Tour will open in Kiel from February 12‑14 before breaking new ground in France the following month. After the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt (June 10‑13) and the newly introduced European Open in Salzburg, the World Matchplay will return to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens for its traditional nine‑day run, concluding on July 25 alongside the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay. The tour will resume in July with another European Tour stop in Leverkusen, Germany, before moving on to events in Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) during the latter half of the season.
The World Grand Prix will be staged in Leicester from September 27 to October 3, and the expanded European Championship will take place over six days in Dortmund from October 26 to October 31. November will see the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton (November 6‑14) and the Players Championship Finals back in Minehead (November 26‑28). The year will close with the World Darts Championship at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace in December.
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.
All told, the 2027 season promises a richer, more diverse set of competitions that will test the stamina and adaptability of the sport’s top players. For Luke Littler, the added European Open and the expanded European Championship mean one more major to chase in his pursuit of a historic clean sweep. Whether he can adjust his schedule, manage the added travel, and maintain peak performance across an even busier calendar will be a compelling storyline for darts enthusiasts worldwide.