The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has unveiled its preliminary 2027 calendar, promising significant changes for darts fans and players alike. Headlining the updates is the introduction of a brand-new Major tournament, the European Open, set to take place in Salzburg, Austria. France will host its inaugural PDC event on the European Tour, which will see a slight venue reshuffle across 10 countries. Further adjustments include a longer European Championship, a streamlined Challenge and Development Tour, and the usual Q-School kick-off.
A New Jewel in the Crown: The European Open Major
The biggest news for 2027 is the highly anticipated arrival of the **European Open**, a brand-new Major tournament. This prestigious event is scheduled for **June 18th to 20th** and will be held in **Salzburg, Austria**. While there was prior speculation about Germany hosting such a tournament, Austria now proudly reclaims a Major event on the PDC calendar.
Details regarding the format are still emerging, but it’s widely expected that **PDC Europe Regional Champions** will be among the participants. This suggests the European Open could adopt a structure similar to the popular UK Open, known for its open draw format and multiple boards running simultaneously, adding an exciting, unpredictable element to the competition.
European Tour: Expanding Horizons and Fresh Venues
The European Tour continues its international expansion, reaching new territories in 2027:
- French Debut: For the very first time, France will host a PDC event, with a European Tour stop in **Liévin**. This marks a significant milestone for darts in the country.
- Belgian Shift: While one Belgian event has been removed to accommodate new venues, Belgium will still feature on the tour with a new host city: **Ghent**.
The tour will maintain its total of **15 tournaments**, now spread across **10 different countries**, showcasing the PDC’s commitment to global growth. The familiar starting venues remain, with **Kiel** kicking off the season, followed by events in **Krakow** and **Riesa** in February. Other beloved locations returning include **Munich, Göttingen, Sindelfingen, Graz, Prague, Leverkusen, Bratislava, Basel, Budapest, and Maastricht**, ensuring a diverse and exciting schedule for fans across Europe.
Premier League and Major Tournament Updates
Premier League Darts: Familiar Stages, Early Berlin Action
Fans of the Premier League Darts can expect continuity in 2027, with **no changes to the established venues**. Following its successful debut this year, **Antwerp** is confirmed to return. The **Berlin** leg will be held earlier in the calendar, on **Thursday, February 4th**, marking the second week of competition. The grand Play-Offs will, as tradition dictates, culminate at the iconic **O2 Arena in London on Thursday, May 27th**.
European Championship: A Longer, Potentially New Format
A notable change for one of the PDC’s key Majors is the **European Championship**. This event will now be played over **six days instead of the previous four**, running from **October 26th to 31st in Dortmund**. This extension strongly suggests an **anticipated format change**, offering more darts action and potentially new competitive structures for players and viewers.
Other major tournaments, including the **World Grand Prix in Leicester**, will retain their established places and venues on the calendar, ensuring consistency for these flagship events.
Secondary Tours Streamlined for the Future
The PDC’s development pathways, the Challenge Tour and Development Tour, are undergoing significant adjustments:
- Reduced Events: Both tours will be streamlined, featuring **18 tournaments each**, down from 24 events in 2026.
- One Event Per Day: Crucially, 2027 will see a shift to **one event per day**, as opposed to the previous format of two events daily. This change aims to better manage the often large fields of participants and is also linked to plans for **dedicated streaming coverage** for these tours, making them more accessible to fans.
- Key Locations: Three events for each tour will be held in **Hildesheim** and three in **Den Bosch**, with all other events taking place in England.
The PDC Women’s Series, vital for promoting women’s darts, will continue with its **24 events**, also including stops in **Hildesheim and Den Bosch**.
Q-School Kicks Off the Year
As is customary, the darting year will begin with the crucial **Q-School**, where aspiring professionals battle for coveted Tour Cards. From **January 4th to 10th**, players will compete in **Kalkar** and **Milton Keynes**. This event remains open to all non-Tour Card holders, with further details expected in the autumn.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
