Littler Faces New Hurdles as PDC Adds TV Major and France Hosts 2027 Ranking Event

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 first-ever PDC European Tour stop in France. While these additions signal the sport’s rapid expansion across the continent, they also tighten the competitive landscape for rising star Luke Littler, whose ambition to claim every major televised title may now be even more challenging. The centerpiece of the new calendar is the inaugural European Open, slated for June 18‑20 in Salzburg, Austria. This three‑day tournament will sit between two other marquee events: the World Cup of Darts, returning to Frankfurt from June 10‑13, and the World Matchplay, which will again be hosted at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from July 17‑25.

The European Open will feature every PDC Tour Card holder and will boast a £750,000 prize pool, raising the total number of PDC majors from eleven to twelve. For world number one Luke Littler, the extra major represents a fresh obstacle on his quest to emulate Michael van Gerwen’s historic clean sweep of all PDC premier televised events.

Littler has already made headlines by opting out of several European circuit stops and even threatening to boycott Dutch tournaments after a hostile reception at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he was booed and whistled. The addition of another high‑profile title means that Littler now has one more trophy to chase, and the pressure to perform on an even tighter schedule will be intense.

The European circuit itself is undergoing a substantial overhaul. The European Championship will expand to a 48‑player field, stretch across six days, and offer a £1 million prize fund.

Meanwhile, the European Tour will break new ground by traveling to France for the first time in March 2027. Lievin will host the fourth event of the 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 swing 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 schedule revamp as a sign of the sport’s flourishing popularity across Europe. He highlighted that the new European Open, the enlarged European Championship, and the boosted prize money on the Tour all reflect the PDC’s commitment to creating more opportunities for players at every tier. Porter also announced increased investment in the Challenge and Development Tours, which will now feature six three‑day weekends with daily tournaments and a raised prize of £30,000 per event, extending payouts to the last 128 participants.

The 2027 season will kick off with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes (UK) and Kalkar (Germany) from January 4‑10, giving hopefuls a chance to earn a Tour Card. 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 journey across the UK and Europe before culminating in a Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena on May 27.

February also marks the start of the Players Championship circuit, which will host 34 events across the UK and Europe throughout the year. The European Tour begins in Kiel from February 12‑14 and then heads to France for its historic debut the following month. After the World Cup and European Open in June, the World Matchplay returns to Blackpool, concluding on July 25 alongside the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay. The Tour resumes in July with an event in Leverkusen (Germany) and continues with stops in Bratislava (Slovakia), Ghent (Belgium), Basel (Switzerland), Budapest (Hungary) and Maastricht (Netherlands) during the second half of the season.

September 27‑October 3 sees 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 moves to Wolverhampton from November 6‑14, and the Players Championship Finals close out the season in Minehead from November 26‑28. The calendar wraps up with the World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace in December, a traditional climax to the darts year. Broadcast coverage remains anchored by Sky Sports, which will air the World Grand Prix (late September to early October), the Grand Slam (mid‑November), and the World Darts Championship (early December to early January).

For viewers who prefer streaming, the NOW platform will continue to provide live darts without a contractual commitment. Overall, the 2027 PDC agenda reflects a sport in full expansion mode, offering more tournaments, larger prize pools, and a broader geographic footprint than ever before.

For Luke Littler, the expanded slate translates into additional hurdles on his path to a complete major‑title collection, demanding consistency, resilience, and perhaps a strategic recalibration of his tournament schedule. For fans, the increased number of events promises more high‑stakes drama, new venues to explore, and the chance to witness the next generation of darts talent rise on a truly European stage.