Get ready for the future of darts! The PDC Development Tour 2026 promises an electrifying season, showcasing the sport’s brightest young talents. This guide provides a complete overview, detailing the crucial calendar dates, significant prize money, competitive format, and how to watch the action. We’ll also explain the all-important Order of Merit and offer insights into who to watch, with stars like Leighton Greaves, Nathan Manby, and Jurjen van der Velde leading the charge. It’s the ultimate pathway for aspiring professionals, offering direct routes to major PDC events.
What is the PDC Development Tour?
The PDC Development Tour is a vital series of tournaments designed to nurture the next generation of professional darts players. It’s specifically for players aged 16 to 24, providing them with invaluable experience in a competitive, professional environment. This tour is a crucial stepping stone, allowing young talents to hone their skills, earn prize money, and ultimately qualify for bigger PDC events like the Pro Tour and even the prestigious World Championship.
The 2026 Calendar: Your Dates to Remember
The 2026 Development Tour schedule is structured to offer ample opportunities for young players across the year. While specific dates are announced closer to the season, the tour typically features:
- Multiple weekends spread throughout the year (e.g., five separate weekends).
- Each weekend generally hosts two individual tournaments, meaning a total of 10 events.
- Events are usually held in centralized locations, often in the UK and Europe, making them accessible for the wider youth darts community.
Players compete in each event, with their performance contributing to their overall standing in the Order of Merit.
Prize Money on Offer
The PDC Development Tour offers significant prize money, which not only rewards performance but also forms the basis of the Order of Merit ranking. While exact figures can vary slightly year-on-year, the general structure for prize money per event is substantial:
- Winner: Often around £2,000 – £2,500
- Runner-up: Typically £1,000 – £1,250
- Semi-finalists: Approximately £500 – £600
- Quarter-finalists: Around £300 – £350
- Prize money extends down to players reaching the last 64, ensuring a wide distribution of earnings.
Every pound earned contributes directly to a player’s standing in the Development Tour Order of Merit.
Understanding the Tournament Format
Each PDC Development Tour event operates as a standalone knockout tournament. The format is designed to be challenging and fast-paced:
- Match Format: Matches are typically played as the best of 7 or 9 legs in the early rounds, potentially extending to best of 11 or 13 legs in later stages and the final.
- Knockout Structure: Players compete in a single-elimination bracket until a winner is crowned.
- Entry: Players aged 16-24 can register for individual events, often paying a small entry fee.
How to Watch: Broadcasting the Action
For fans eager to follow the stars of tomorrow, the PDC Development Tour is accessible:
- PDC.TV: The official PDC streaming service, PDC.TV, is the primary platform for watching live coverage of the Development Tour. Subscribers can catch all the action, typically from multiple boards.
- PDC Website: Updates, results, and news are regularly posted on the official PDC website.
While traditional TV guides don’t feature these events, PDC.TV ensures fans won’t miss a dart.
The All-Important Order of Merit
The Development Tour Order of Merit is the cumulative ranking of all players based on the prize money they’ve won across the entire season. This ranking is incredibly significant as it offers direct pathways to professional status:
- Pro Tour Cards: The top two players on the final Development Tour Order of Merit usually secure a coveted two-year PDC Tour Card, granting them automatic entry into all Players Championship events and UK Open qualifiers.
- World Championship Spot: The winner of the Development Tour Order of Merit often earns a direct spot in the PDC World Darts Championship.
- Grand Slam of Darts: Other high-ranking players may receive invitations to events like the Grand Slam of Darts.
This system ensures that consistent performance throughout the year is richly rewarded with opportunities on darts’ biggest stages.
Players to Watch: The Frontrunners
The 2026 season is set to feature an exciting crop of talent, with several names already making waves:
- Leighton Greaves: Known for his scoring power and composure, Greaves is often a strong contender, having shown flashes of brilliance in previous seasons.
- Nathan Manby: A consistent performer, Manby’s steady game and ability to go deep into tournaments make him a player to keep a close eye on.
- Jurjen van der Velde: Hailing from a strong darts nation, Van der Velde brings a flair and competitive edge that could see him challenge for top honors.
Beyond these established names, the Development Tour is famous for unearthing new stars. Expect other young talents to emerge and challenge the favorites throughout the season.
Predictions for 2026
Predicting the outcome of the Development Tour is always challenging due to the rapid progression of young players. While Greaves, Manby, and Van der Velde are expected to be strong, the nature of the tour means that consistency over all 10 events is paramount. Look for players who can maintain their form, handle pressure, and adapt quickly to different opponents.
The 2026 PDC Development Tour will undoubtedly be a thrilling spectacle, offering a glimpse into the future of professional darts and launching the careers of tomorrow’s champions.
Source: Based on an article from News – Dartsnieuws.com.
