Littler Faces New Challenge as PDC Unveils Additional Major and France Hosts First European Tour Event

The 2027 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) schedule is set to become even more crowded, with the debut of the European Open and the landmark arrival of a PDC European Tour stop in France taking centre stage. While these additions signal the sport’s expanding footprint across the continent, they also raise the stakes for rising star Luke Littler, whose quest to capture every premier televised title may now be more demanding than ever.

The calendar’s most notable new fixture is the inaugural European Open, slated for June 18‑20 in 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 World Matchplay in Blackpool, scheduled for July 17‑25. All holders of a PDC Tour Card will compete for a substantial £750,000 prize pool, effectively turning the event into the sport’s twelfth major championship.

The expansion from eleven to twelve majors means that the bar for a complete collection of titles has been raised, a distinction currently held only by Michael van Gerwen. For world number one Luke Littler, the new major represents a fresh obstacle on his path to a clean sweep of PDC’s elite televised events. Littler has already made headlines by opting out of several European circuit stops earlier in the season, a decision that sparked debate among fans and commentators.

The tension escalated after he publicly threatened to boycott Dutch tournaments following a hostile reception—booing and whistling—at the World Series of Darts Finals. Now, with the European Open added to the roster, Littler must decide whether to prioritize this lucrative opportunity or continue his selective approach. The European circuit itself is also undergoing a substantial overhaul.

The European Championship will expand to feature 48 competitors over six days, with prize money swelling to £1 million. Meanwhile, the European Tour will break new ground by traveling to France for the first time in its history.

The French leg, hosted in Lievin, will be the fourth event of a 15‑tournament season and will run from March 19‑21, just before the Easter holidays. This French stop follows recent Tour stops in Kiel, Krakow, and Riesa, and will be complemented 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 highlighted that these developments reflect the sport’s robust growth across Europe and underline the organization’s commitment to creating more opportunities for players at every level.

He noted, "The continued expansion of darts across the continent is incredibly exciting, and the introduction of the European Open, alongside a larger European Championship and increased prize money on the Tour, demonstrates the strength of the game and our dedication to supporting players." Porter also emphasized increased investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, which will see prize money rise to £30,000 per event and payouts extended to the last 128 competitors. The 2027 season will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes and Kalkar from January 4‑10, followed by the Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes (January 27‑31).

The Premier League will launch in Glasgow on February 4, embarking on a 17‑night journey across the UK and Europe before culminating in the Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27. Simultaneously, the Players Championship circuit will roll out 34 events throughout the year, spanning venues in both the UK and mainland Europe.

The European Tour’s itinerary begins in Kiel (February 12‑14) and then makes its historic French debut in March. After the World Cup and the new European Open in June, the World Matchplay will return to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, concluding on July 25 alongside the Women's World Matchplay. The Tour will resume in July in Leverkusen and continue with stops in Bratislava, Ghent, Basel, Budapest, and Maastricht during the latter half of the season. Key major tournaments will also follow their traditional slots: the World Grand Prix in Leicester (September 27‑October 3), the expanded European Championship in Dortmund (October 26‑31), 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 Alexandra Palace in December, a marquee event that draws global attention. Broadcast coverage remains anchored with Sky Sports, which will air the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship live. Additionally, fans can stream matches and related content via the NOW platform without a contractual commitment. In summary, the 2027 PDC calendar promises a richer, more diverse slate of events, offering players increased earning potential and broader exposure across Europe.

For Luke Littler, the expanded schedule and the addition of a twelfth major present both a challenge and an opportunity: to cement his legacy by conquering every top‑tier tournament, or to navigate a crowded season with strategic event selection. Either way, the upcoming year is poised to be a pivotal chapter in the evolution of professional darts.