Get ready for a thrilling 2027 darts season! The PDC has announced its calendar, featuring a historic first European Tour event in France, a brand-new major tournament in Austria, and significant venue changes in Belgium. Players and fans can expect another packed year, with 15 European Tour events, a new European Open major, and 34 Players Championship events, all promising fresh excitement and strategic challenges for the sport’s biggest names.
A Landmark Year for European Darts
The 2027 PDC calendar is set to deliver a host of exciting changes, building on the momentum from previous years. Following the release of the Premier League dates, the full schedule confirms a busy and dynamic year for professional darts.
France Makes Its European Tour Debut
- The European Tour will once again feature 15 events, matching the 2026 total.
- The most significant addition is the first-ever European Tour event in France.
- The chosen host city is Liévin, near Lens, in northern France.
- While some might have expected a larger city, Liévin’s location offers easy access for fans traveling from Belgium and the UK, potentially boosting attendance.
- This move provides a fresh stage for the PDC, regardless of whether French Tour Card holder Thibault Tricole maintains his professional status. It marks a clear effort to expand darts’ reach into new territories.
European Tour Returns and Absences
- Following successful events in 2026, the tour will make a welcome return to Poland and Slovakia.
- However, an anticipated return to Ireland for a European Tour event will not happen in 2027, despite media speculation.
Belgium’s Venue Shake-Up
Belgium, a country with a passionate darts following, will see significant changes to its European Tour presence:
- After hosting two events in Antwerp and Wieze in 2026, Belgium will only have one European Tour stop in 2027.
- This single event will be held at a new venue in Ghent.
- This decision is notable given the sport’s popularity in Belgium. While Ghent offers a fresh location, Belgian fans who are used to two home weekends will now have just one opportunity to experience a European Tour event on home soil.
Introducing the European Open: A New Major
One of the most anticipated announcements is the confirmation of a new major tournament:
- The new European Open is scheduled for June in Salzburg, Austria.
- Its placement in the calendar is strategic: it falls between the conclusion of the Premier League in May and the start of the World Matchplay in late July. This timing gives the new major its own dedicated slot, preventing it from being overshadowed by other established highlights.
- The specific format and the list of players invited will be crucial in defining its unique identity and prestige within the darts circuit.
Consistency in Other Key Events
While new additions are exciting, many established components of the PDC calendar remain consistent:
- There will be 34 Players Championship events, maintaining the same number as in 2026. These events are vital for players to earn prize money and qualify for televised tournaments.
- The World Grand Prix will remain in Leicester, a city that has successfully hosted the tournament since its move from Dublin.
- Other major tournaments televised on Sky Sports and ITV will continue at their familiar venues, ensuring a sense of tradition alongside the new developments.
The Player Participation Question
The 2027 calendar does not introduce new rules requiring players to enter a minimum number of European Tour or Players Championship events. This continues a familiar debate within the darts community:
- How often will the sport’s biggest stars, such as Luke Littler and other top players, choose to compete in events outside of the televised majors?
- Recent discussions have frequently focused on the absence of high-profile players from certain events, rather than those who are competing. The flexibility in the schedule allows top players to manage their demanding travel and playing commitments strategically.
World Series and Future Announcements
As of now, only the World Series Finals have been announced, confirming their return to Amsterdam in September. Further World Series dates are expected to be added, potentially increasing the travel demands on an already extensive schedule.
The introduction of France to the European Tour and the new European Open will undoubtedly capture early attention. However, the ultimate success of the 2027 calendar will depend on how these additions integrate into the broader season, particularly for players who already face a wealth of event choices.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
