The Luke Littler effect combined with the Fallon Sherrock surge of a few years ago have expanded interest in the sport of darts in an exponential fashion. Whether you're already hooked, newly converted, or just here to find out what the fuss is about, this quick guide should help you get to grips with the world of professional darts.
Enter the big dog: the Professional Darts Corporation, or PDC for short. We explained previously how the PDC came into being and while there are other excellent organisations scattered across the globe - some affiliated, others off doing their own thing entirely - the PDC is the Mac Daddy. The top seat at the tungsten table.
Headquartered in the UK, the PDC is home to 128 Tour Card holders, representing countries from all corners of the world. These players compete across a structured season governed by two key ranking systems:
- The Main Order of Merit: a rolling two-year ranking based on prize money earned.
- The Pro Tour Order of Merit: a rolling one-year system, also based on earnings.
In short, you’re only as good as your last payday - and in one or two years’ time, you’ll need to match it or watch your ranking drop. Put simply: you defend what you previously earned.
Now for the PDC Season breakdown which we'll call the Four Pillars of Play/Pay
Players Championships
There are currently 34 Players Championship events per year, usually staged in blocks of two or three over a few days in sports halls across England and continental Europe. It was 30 - but the schedule’s just been bumped up for 2025.
They're known as floor tournaments - not because players are lying down when throwing, but because they take place behind closed doors, without spectators (although each player is allowed one guest - ideal if your mum wants to see you throw 180s in silence).
All 128 Tour Card holders can enter, and any prize money earned counts toward both Orders of Merit. Win a match, and you’ll pocket a minimum of £1,000. Crash out early, and it’s back to beans on toast. Go all the way, though, and you can walk away with £15,000.
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European Tour
Exactly what it says on the tin: 14 tournaments held across Europe, with Germany hosting half of them. Each event features 48 players, made up of:
- The top 16 on the Main Order of Merit (seeded, enter in round two)
- The next best 16 from the Pro Tour rankings (think they should enter in round two)
- 12 qualifiers from an event open to any remaining Tour Card holders (just happy to be in)
- 4 Host Nation qualifiers from a separate domestic tournament (usually delirious)
As with the Players Championships, prize money feeds into both ranking systems. Win one of these and you’ll bag £30,000 - not bad for a weekend's work.
Later in the season, the European Championship rolls around. Do well on the European Tour Order of Merit (yes, another ranking list), and you’ll earn your place there too - isn’t that right Richie Edhouse?
Major Events (aka: the Big Money Gigs)
This is where players make headlines, proper money and end up signing stuff with their faces on. There are several majors throughout the year, culminating in the World Championship, held at London’s Alexandra Palace from mid-December.
Each TV event has its own entry criteria, but generally, the top 16 on the Main Order of Merit qualify automatically, with the rest of the field filled from the Pro Tour rankings. There are exceptions (I’m looking at you, Grand Slam of Darts), but we’ll spare you the spreadsheet for now.
Performances here are what make or break careers. A good run at the World Championship can propel you into the top echelon or ensure you keep that precious Tour Card. Regularly impressing in these events may also see you invited or qualifying for the final class of events.
Premier Events
The PDC’s flagship for promoting its products and earning income is their Premier League. A touring roadshow of 16 nights across the UK and Europe in the first half of each season. The top 4 in the ranking and four picks take part. The PDC also has other events and series. These ‘Shop Window’ events aim to promote the game of professional darts and include the World Series of Darts which travels across the globe.
They are non-ranked, and vary in set up and qualification, but serve as profile builders for players as well as a valuable extra earning stream. The US Darts Masters is a popular annual stop off on this year-long fragmented tour!
Upcoming articles: PDC darts: Can I Be A Darts Pro? And PDC darts: The Majors
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