Darts set for major 2027 shake-up with new TV major and France hosting ranking event – but what does it mean for Luke Littler?
The PDC European Tour will visit France for the first time next year in Lievin, just a few kilometres from Lens in northern France, as well as the introduction of the European Open; you can watch World Grand Prix Darts live on Sky Sports from September 28 - October 4
Friday 25 September 2026 16:36, UK
The introduction of the European Open and a first-ever PDC European Tour event in France will headline a packed 2027 PDC calendar – but the changes could make Luke Littler’s bid to complete darts even harder.
A significant addition to the 2027 PDC calendar will see the inaugural European Open take place in Salzburg from June 18-20.
The new three-day event will follow the World Cup of Darts, which returns to Frankfurt from June 10-13, before the sport heads to Blackpool for the World Matchplay from July 17-25.
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The introduction of the European Open, which will feature all PDC Tour Card holders competing for a £750,000 prize fund, will increase the number of darts majors from 11 to 12.
That means another challenge for world No 1 Luke Littler in his bid to complete a clean sweep of victories in all of the PDC's premier televised events - a feat achieved only by Michael van Gerwen.
The new major comes after Littler opted to skip several events on the European circuit, while the announcement also follows his threat to boycott tournaments in the Netherlands after he was booed and whistled during the World Series of Darts Finals.
The European circuit is also set for a significant expansion, with the European Championship increasing to 48 players across six days of action and £1m in prize money on offer.
The European Tour will visit France for the first time next year, with Lievin set to host the fourth event of the 15-tournament season from March 19-21, on the weekend before the Easter holidays.
The historic trip to France will follow European Tour events in Kiel, Krakow and Riesa, with the circuit also returning to established destinations across Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and the Netherlands throughout 2027.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said the changes reflected the continued growth of darts across Europe and would provide greater opportunities for players at every level of the professional game.
"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."
PDC calendar
The 2027 PDC calendar will get under way with Qualifying Schools in Milton Keynes and Kalkar from January 4-10, before the Winmau World Masters takes place in Milton Keynes from January 27-31.
The Premier League will then begin in Glasgow on February 4, kicking off a 17-night tour across the UK and Europe before Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 27.
The Players Championship circuit will also get under way in February, with 34 events scheduled to take place across the UK and Europe throughout the year.
The European Tour, meanwhile, will begin in Kiel from February 12-14 before breaking new ground with its first-ever visit to France the following month.
Following the World Cup and European Open in June, the World Matchplay will once again take place at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, with the nine-day event concluding on July 25 alongside the Women's World Matchplay.
The European Tour will resume in Leverkusen in July, with further events taking place in Bratislava, Ghent, Basel, Budapest and Maastricht during the second half of the season.
The World Grand Prix will return to Leicester from September 27-October 3, while the European Championship will expand to six days in Dortmund from October 26-31.
The Grand Slam of Darts will then take place in Wolverhampton from November 6-14, before the Players Championship Finals returns to Minehead from November 26-28.
The year will conclude with the World Darts Championship at London's Alexandra Palace in December.
Further changes will also be made to the PDC's Challenge and Development Tours in 2027. Both circuits will be staged across six three-day weekends, with one tournament taking place on each day.
Prize money will increase to £30,000 per event, with prize money paid down to the last 128 players in each event.
Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the World Grand Prix (September 28-October 4), Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.
