Darts superstar Luke Humphries, currently the world number two, is raising concerns about the increasingly packed professional darts calendar. He believes the addition of a new major tournament in 2027 will make an already demanding schedule even more challenging for top players, despite its aim to create new pathways for amateur talent.
The Grueling Reality of Professional Darts
Luke Humphries, a former World Champion and the reigning 2024 World Matchplay champion, has openly spoken about the immense pressures of the professional darts circuit. During an appearance on the ‘Tops & Tales Darts’ podcast with referee Huw Ware, Humphries expressed his view on the relentless schedule.
“The calendar’s stacked, you know it’s getting even more busy!” Humphries stated, highlighting the constant need for top players to compete and win if they want to maintain their standing and secure major titles.
This isn’t just talk for Humphries. He has already made conscious decisions to prioritize his well-being and family time over participating in every available event. This year alone, he has competed in only six out of 24 possible Players Championship events – a significantly lower number than many of his peers.
Skipping events to spend time at home with family has become a necessary strategy for Humphries to manage the intense travel and competitive demands of the sport.
A New Major Event on the Horizon
Just recently, the PDC announced plans for a brand-new major event set to debut in 2027. While details are still emerging, this tournament is expected to further intensify the calendar for elite players.
Key details revealed so far about the new major:
- Scheduled for 2027: This adds another significant tournament to an already packed schedule.
- Likely Location: Germany is the anticipated host nation.
- Amateur Qualification: The event will offer qualification spots to players from specific European regions, suggesting a format similar to the popular UK Open.
- Qualifying Regions: Players from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein will have opportunities to qualify through the new “PDC Europe Start” season.
The “PDC Europe Start” season, which kicks off on August 3rd, 2026, is designed to feed directly into this new major. Regional Champions from this series will earn a coveted spot in the new PDC Major tournament.
While the PDC is yet to release full details on the new major event, the overall message is clear: the world of darts continues to expand, offering new opportunities and growth, particularly for amateur players in specific European regions. However, this expansion comes with the undeniable consequence of an even more demanding schedule for the sport’s top professionals like Luke Humphries.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
