World Darts Championship 2026/27 Guide: Dates, Format, Seeds & Betting Explained
The 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship runs from 11 December to 3 January at Alexandra Palace. What you need to know!
The 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship begins on Friday 11 December 2026 and concludes on Sunday 3 January 2027, with 128 players competing for the Sid Waddell Trophy and a £1 million winner’s prize.
This year’s tournament brings a significant change to Alexandra Palace. For the first time, the World Championship will take place in the venue’s Great Hall, with more than 180,000 tickets available across the event.
Luke Littler returns as defending champion after beating Gian van Veen 7-1 in January 2026 to claim his second consecutive world title. He is now chasing a third, but the expanded tournament format means even the biggest names must survive seven matches to lift the trophy.
For anyone following the World Darts Championship 2027, understanding the competition is about more than recognising the leading players.
How does the draw work? Why are some players seeded? What does the PDC Order of Merit actually measure? And how do outright, each-way and set handicap bets differ?
This guide covers the tournament dates, format, qualification, schedule, prize money and betting markets, along with practical advice for watching the action or attending Ally Pally.
For readers comparing betting operators, our bet365 UK guide explains the available account options and relevant terms. Here, the focus is on understanding the championship rather than providing changing odds or daily selections.
World Darts Championship 2027: Key Facts
| Detail | 2026/27 tournament |
|---|---|
| Tournament | PDC World Darts Championship |
| Dates | 11 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 |
| Venue | Alexandra Palace, London |
| Arena | Great Hall (first year) |
| Players | 128 |
| Seeds | 32 |
| Format | Knockout, sets and legs |
| Sessions | 36 |
| Prize fund | £5 million |
| Winner’s prize | £1 million |
| Defending champion | Luke Littler |
| UK television | Sky Sports |
| Trophy | Sid Waddell Trophy |
The biggest development for the 2026/27 edition is the move from Alexandra Palace’s West Hall to the Great Hall.
The new arena accommodates more than 5,000 spectators per session, increasing the event’s capacity substantially while keeping the familiar Ally Pally setting.
The tournament also retains the expanded 128-player field introduced for the 2025/26 championship.
That means more first-round matches, more international qualifiers and no automatic passage into the second round for the seeded players.
How Does the World Darts Championship Work?
The PDC World Darts Championship is a straight knockout competition.
Players meet in individual matches, with the winner progressing to the next round and the loser eliminated. There is no group stage, points table or second chance.
The key difference from many other darts competitions is that World Championship matches are decided by sets rather than simply counting legs across the entire match.
What is a leg in darts?
Each player begins a standard leg with 501 points and attempts to reduce their score to exactly zero.
Players normally throw three darts per visit. The first player to reach zero with a legal double wins the leg.
For example, a player with 40 remaining can finish by hitting double 20. A player with 32 remaining can win the leg with double 16.
The final dart must land in a double, including the inner bullseye when appropriate.
Our complete guide to darts rules explains scoring, doubles, busts and the other rules used in professional competition.
What is a set?
In ordinary World Championship set play, the first player to win three legs takes the set.
That means a normal set can finish:
- 3-0
- 3-1
- 3-2
A match is won by reaching the required number of sets.
For example, in a best-of-five-sets match, a player needs three sets to win. A 3-2 set score is therefore a complete match result, not an unfinished score.
Deciding-set tie-break provisions can extend the final set beyond the usual five legs. The preceding championship used a two-clear-leg requirement, followed by a sudden-death leg if the deciding set reached 5-5.
World Darts Championship format by round
The following is the established round format from the expanded 2025/26 championship. The PDC’s final 2026/27 playing conditions should be checked for changes.
| Round | Match length | Sets needed to win |
|---|---|---|
| First round | Best of 5 sets | 3 |
| Second round | Best of 5 sets | 3 |
| Third round | Best of 7 sets | 4 |
| Fourth round | Best of 7 sets | 4 |
| Quarter-finals | Best of 9 sets | 5 |
| Semi-finals | Best of 11 sets | 6 |
| Final | Best of 13 sets | 7 |
The increasing match length is an important feature of the championship.
A player might win an opening-round match 3-0 in sets but must win seven sets to claim the title in the final.
Longer matches can provide more opportunities to recover from a poor spell. They also create additional scoring opportunities, including 180s and high checkouts.
For punters, the number of sets matters because the match format directly affects handicap and total-sets markets. A line that makes sense in a first-round match cannot automatically be applied to a semi-final played over considerably more sets.
How Do Players Qualify for the PDC World Darts Championship?
The 2026/27 championship features 128 players from the professional circuit and international qualifying competitions.
The expected qualification structure contains three main routes.
| Qualification route | Places |
|---|---|
| PDC Order of Merit | 40 |
| PDC ProTour Order of Merit, excluding players already qualified | 40 |
| International and additional qualifying routes | 48 |
| Total | 128 |
The PDC has confirmed the leading 40 players on its main ranking qualify automatically, with another 40 places coming through the ProTour rankings. The remaining places are allocated through other qualifying routes.
The international places help make the championship a genuinely global event.
Players can qualify through regional competitions and recognised tours, alongside routes associated with women’s darts, development competitions and other PDC pathways.
For 2026/27, the PDC has reported qualifiers from countries including Australia, Hungary, South Africa and China.
The qualification field is not yet complete as of 7 November 2026. The final allocation and replacement procedures should follow the PDC’s event-specific rules.
What is the PDC Order of Merit?
The PDC Order of Merit is the main world ranking system in professional darts.
Unlike a conventional league table, it is based on prize money earned in eligible ranking tournaments over a rolling two-year period.
The system currently operates over 104 weeks.
If a player wins ranking prize money, that money contributes to their world ranking. Once it falls outside the relevant two-year period, it is removed from their total.
This creates an important distinction between a player’s ranking and their current playing form.
A player might be performing particularly well over the past few months but remain below an established competitor whose ranking reflects substantial tournament winnings from the previous year.
Equally, a player can lose ranking places when a large previous result drops out of the calculation.
The important point: the Order of Merit measures eligible prize money across a defined period. It is not simply a list of which players have won the most matches recently.
The official figures are maintained by the PDC.
View the official PDC Order of Merit and world rankings
How does the Order of Merit determine World Championship seeds?
The 32 highest-ranked eligible players are seeded in the World Championship draw.
Seeding is designed to distribute the leading players throughout the bracket rather than leaving their opening opponents entirely to chance.
The ranking order also matters because seeded players occupy predetermined positions in the draw.
For example, the number one and number two seeds are placed in opposite halves. If both progress without defeat, they cannot meet before the final.
Players outside the seeded positions must navigate the draw without that protection.
The expanded 128-player format also means that seeded players begin in the first round, rather than entering in round two as they did under the previous 96-player format.
When are the 2027 World Championship seeds confirmed?
The PDC’s published ranking rules specify 30 November 2026, following the Players Championship Finals, as the cut-off for the World Championship.
Until that ranking position is finalised, projected seedings can change.
This is particularly important for players close to the boundary between qualifying automatically, entering through the ProTour rankings or missing out.
Rather than publishing a ranking table that becomes outdated, readers can follow the official PDC rankings above.
How Does the World Darts Championship Draw Work?
The tournament draw divides the 128 players into a knockout bracket.
The seeded players occupy positions determined by the seeding pattern, with the remaining players drawn into the available places under the tournament’s rules.
The draw establishes each player’s potential route through the championship.
It also determines which leading players may meet in the later rounds.
For example, two favourites placed in the same quarter cannot both reach the semi-finals. They would have to meet before that stage if they each continued winning.
That distinction is especially relevant to outright and quarter-winner betting markets.
A player’s tournament prospects depend not only on their ability but also on the opponents they might face.
Does the highest seed always play the lowest-ranked player?
No.
Seeding protects the bracket positions of the leading players. It does not necessarily produce a simple number-one-versus-number-128 match.
The remaining draw places are filled according to the competition’s draw rules.
An unseeded opponent can still be an established professional, a dangerous qualifier or a player whose recent form is stronger than their ranking suggests.
The final 2026/27 bracket should be assessed only once the PDC has completed and published the draw.
World Darts Championship 2027 Schedule and Order of Play
The 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship takes place between 11 December 2026 and 3 January 2027.
There are 36 sessions scheduled across the event.
The tournament traditionally features afternoon and evening sessions, with the opening rounds taking place before Christmas and the later knockout stages concluding around New Year.
Confirmed dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday 11 December 2026 | World Championship begins |
| Sunday 3 January 2027 | World Championship final |
Schedule status, 7 November 2026: The full match-by-match order of play has not yet been published.
The complete schedule will identify which players compete in each session, the scheduled match order and the relevant start times.
A session timetable is not the same as the final order of play. The schedule can establish when play takes place before the individual matches are assigned.
Readers should use the official PDC tournament calendar for confirmed announcements.
How does the order of play work?
An afternoon or evening session normally contains several matches.
The order of play tells spectators which match is scheduled first, second and so on.
However, a published match order does not guarantee the precise starting time of every individual match.
A lengthy deciding set or a succession of closely contested matches can affect the running time of the session.
This is worth remembering if you’re planning to watch a particular player, attend a session or follow a market scheduled to settle during the evening.
Where Can You Watch the World Darts Championship 2027 on TV?
In the UK, the PDC World Darts Championship is shown on Sky Sports.
Viewers with an eligible Sky Sports subscription can watch through their television service or Sky Go.
The tournament is also available through NOW with an appropriate Sports membership.
Sky Sports provides live tournament coverage, while the PDC publishes results and tournament updates through its official channels.
For viewers outside the UK, broadcast rights differ by territory. Check the PDC’s international coverage information for the relevant country.
World Darts Championship 2027 Prize Money
The 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship has a total prize fund of £5 million, including £1 million for the winner.
The winner’s prize represents 20% of the entire fund.
| Tournament result | Prize money |
|---|---|
| Winner | £1,000,000 |
| Runner-up | £400,000 |
| Losing semi-finalists | £200,000 each |
| Losing quarter-finalists | £100,000 each |
| Fourth-round losers | £60,000 each |
| Third-round losers | £35,000 each |
| Second-round losers | £25,000 each |
| First-round losers | £15,000 each |
| Total prize fund | £5,000,000 |
The amounts also matter beyond the money received by each player.
Because the World Championship is a ranking event, eligible prize money contributes to the PDC Order of Merit.
A successful championship run can transform a player’s world ranking and help determine their qualification or seeding for future competitions.
Conversely, a player defending a major result from two years earlier can lose ranking money when that older result expires.
This is one reason the World Championship carries so much significance in professional darts.
World Darts Championship Betting Markets Explained
The PDC World Darts Championship produces several different types of betting market.
Some concern the overall winner. Others focus on individual matches, set scores, scoring statistics or the outcome of a particular section of the draw.
The important starting point is understanding exactly what the selection needs to achieve.
1. Outright winner betting
An outright bet is a prediction that a particular player will win the entire World Championship.
It does not matter whether that player wins individual matches comfortably or narrowly. They must ultimately lift the trophy.
If the selected player is eliminated at any stage, a standard outright win bet loses.
Outright markets are generally available well before the tournament begins, although the available selections and odds can change as the field and draw develop.
2. Each-way World Championship betting
An each-way bet combines two separate wagers:
- A win bet on the selected player becoming champion.
- A place bet on that player finishing within the bookmaker’s stated qualifying positions.
An each-way bet therefore costs twice the advertised unit stake.
The place portion pays according to the bookmaker’s each-way terms, which may specify the number of places and the fraction of the win odds used for the place calculation.
For example, if the terms cover the winner and runner-up, a player who loses in the final may still produce a return on the place portion.
The win portion would lose.
Check the place terms before betting. Different operators or markets may offer different conditions, and a player reaching the semi-finals does not automatically qualify for an each-way payout.
3. Quarter-winner betting
The World Championship draw is divided into four quarters.
A quarter-winner market asks which player will emerge from a particular quarter and progress to the semi-finals.
This is different from backing a player to win the tournament.
A player can win their quarter and subsequently lose in the semi-finals or final.
Some bookmakers may also offer a market asking which quarter of the draw will produce the eventual champion. That is a different selection, so the precise market wording matters.
Quarter markets become easier to understand once the complete draw is available.
4. Set handicap betting
Set handicaps give one player a theoretical advantage or disadvantage before the match score is settled.
Consider an opening-round match played over a maximum of five sets.
A player backed at -1.5 sets needs to win by at least two sets.
A 3-0 or 3-1 victory covers that handicap. A narrow 3-2 win does not. For a player backed at +1.5 sets, the position is reversed.
That player can win the match outright or lose 3-2 and still cover the handicap.
A 3-1 defeat would not be sufficient.
This is why the match format is so important. A best-of-five-sets match and a best-of-11-sets semi-final involve very different possible scorelines.
5. Correct score betting
Correct score markets require the exact final set score.
In a best-of-five-sets match, a selection such as 3-1 means the chosen player must win by precisely three sets to one.
A 3-0 or 3-2 victory would not satisfy the same selection.
Correct score bets therefore depend on both the identity of the winner and the precise number of sets played.
6. Most 180s betting
A 180 is the maximum score possible with three darts in a single visit.
It is achieved by hitting treble 20 with all three darts.
A most-180s market generally asks which player will record more maximums during a match.
A player can lose the match but still hit more 180s than their opponent.
This makes the market different from betting on the match winner.
It is also important to distinguish between the total number of 180s in a match and the number recorded by an individual player.
7. Highest checkout betting
A checkout is the score with which a player finishes a leg.
The highest possible three-dart checkout is 170, achieved by hitting:
- Treble 20
- Treble 20
- Bullseye
A highest-checkout market typically concerns which player records the largest successful finish in a match.
For example, if one player completes a 156 checkout and the other records a highest finish of 121, the player with 156 has the higher checkout.
The checkout result is independent of who wins the match.
For a complete explanation of finishing combinations, see our printable darts checkout chart, covering scores from 170 down to two.
What should punters understand before choosing a darts market?
There are several distinctions worth making.
An outright bet is settled over the whole tournament, while a match market normally concerns one specific contest.
A set handicap depends on the final set score, not the number of legs by which a player wins.
A 180 market concerns scoring maximums, while a highest-checkout market concerns successful finishes.
Finally, each-way betting introduces separate win and place conditions.
Understanding those differences is more useful than treating every selection as another prediction of who will win.
Market rules, settlement conditions and dead-heat provisions should always be checked with the bookmaker.
Why Do 180s and Checkouts Matter So Much?
Two of the most recognisable statistics in professional darts are 180s and checkout percentage.
Both measure aspects of performance, but they tell different stories. A player who consistently scores heavily can create more opportunities to finish legs.
However, those scoring opportunities mean little if the player repeatedly misses doubles.
Scoring power versus finishing ability
Consider two players.
Player A regularly scores 180s and reaches a finishing position quickly but struggles to hit a double.
Player B scores fewer maximums but takes checkout opportunities more consistently. Player A may finish with more 180s and still lose the match.
This is a common reason that match results and statistical markets do not always align.
What is checkout percentage?
Checkout percentage measures successful finishing attempts as a proportion of darts thrown at doubles, using the event’s recorded statistics.
A player who hits 12 doubles from 24 attempts has a 50% checkout percentage.
The statistic can help explain why a player wins or loses despite producing a strong scoring average.
However, small samples can be misleading, and a high checkout percentage in one match does not guarantee the same performance in the next.
What is a nine-dart finish?
A nine-dart finish is a perfect leg of 501 completed in the minimum possible nine darts.
It is one of the most celebrated achievements in professional darts.
A nine-darter is not the same as a 180, although a player may hit one or more maximum scores during the leg.
Ally Pally Darts: A Practical Guide to Alexandra Palace
The PDC World Darts Championship has been held at Alexandra Palace in North London since the 2007/08 edition.
It has become closely associated with the festive period, combining elite darts with one of the most distinctive atmospheres in British sport.
The 2026/27 championship introduces a major change.
Why is the World Championship moving to the Great Hall?
For the first time, the tournament will take place in Alexandra Palace’s Great Hall rather than the West Hall.
The move increases capacity to more than 5,000 spectators per session, with 180,000 tickets allocated across the tournament.
That creates additional opportunities for supporters to attend while preserving the familiar location.
The change is also part of the PDC’s longer-term commitment to Alexandra Palace, with the championship set to remain at the venue until at least 2031.
How do you get to Alexandra Palace?
Alexandra Palace is in North London and can be reached using the capital’s public transport network.
By Underground: Wood Green is the nearest Tube station, served by the Piccadilly line.
By train: Alexandra Palace railway station is served by Great Northern services, including connections towards central London.
By bus: The W3 route serves Alexandra Palace and connects with transport links including Wood Green and Finsbury Park.
The venue is situated on elevated ground, so allow additional time if walking from a station.
For evening sessions, check return services before travelling, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period when transport arrangements may change.
Full information is available from the official Alexandra Palace travel guide.
How do you get World Darts Championship tickets?
The 2026/27 tournament introduced a ballot system for ticket allocation.
Rather than relying entirely on a first-come, first-served general sale, applicants registered their preferred sessions during designated ballot windows.
There were separate arrangements for PDCTV annual members and the wider public.
The general ballot closed in September 2026.
The venue says that successful and unsuccessful applicants were due to receive their results between 21 and 25 September.
As of 7 November, that ballot is closed.
Supporters seeking tickets should consult the official Alexandra Palace World Championship page and use only authorised ticketing routes.
The official See Tickets Fan-to-Fan platform is the permitted resale route for tickets already allocated.
Avoid unofficial resale websites, where tickets may be invalid or cancelled.
How much are Ally Pally darts tickets?
Published starting prices for the 2026/27 tournament included:
| Ticket category | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Tiered seating | £55 |
| Table seating | £75 |
| 501 Club hospitality | £399 |
Actual prices depend on the session and seating category.
Later-round sessions and the final may have different prices from earlier sessions.
Can you wear fancy dress to the darts?
Fancy dress has become one of the defining features of the World Championship.
Supporters regularly attend in elaborate costumes, with everything from superheroes to giant novelty outfits appearing in the crowd.
It’s a major part of what makes Ally Pally different from a conventional sporting venue.
However, fancy dress is not compulsory.
Ordinary clothing is perfectly acceptable, and spectators should check the venue’s current conditions before choosing a costume.
The PDC also has rules concerning spectator conduct and clothing, including restrictions on club football colours.
What is the atmosphere like at Ally Pally?
The World Championship is famous for large crowds, singing and enthusiastic reactions to big finishes.
The noise often builds during player entrances and between legs, with the biggest reactions reserved for 180s, dramatic checkouts and match-winning doubles.
But there is an important balance.
Supporters are expected to respect the players while they are throwing, and deliberate disruption can lead to removal.
A great Ally Pally session combines the atmosphere of a major sporting event with the concentration required for world-class darts.
Darts Walk-On Songs and World Championship Atmosphere
Player walk-ons are an important part of the PDC World Championship experience.
Before each match, the players enter to their chosen music, with the presentation designed to build anticipation.
Some tracks have become closely associated with particular players.
Luke Littler uses Greenlight by Pitbull, while Luke Humphries is associated with I Predict a Riot by Kaiser Chiefs.
Stephen Bunting’s Titanium and Nathan Aspinall’s Mr Brightside are among the other songs regularly heard at major PDC events.
These entrances are part of why the tournament attracts viewers who might not follow darts during the rest of the year.
For a much more extensive look at the music, players and stories behind the entrances, see our darts walk-on songs guide.
Recent World Darts Championship Winners
The PDC World Darts Championship has been won by some of the sport’s greatest players.
Luke Littler is the defending champion after winning consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026.
His 2026 victory over Gian van Veen followed a 2025 final win against Michael van Gerwen.
Before Littler’s breakthrough, Luke Humphries claimed the 2024 title, defeating Littler in the final.
PDC World Darts Championship winners: 2017–2026
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Luke Littler | Gian van Veen | 7-1 |
| 2025 | Luke Littler | Michael van Gerwen | 7-3 |
| 2024 | Luke Humphries | Luke Littler | 7-4 |
| 2023 | Michael Smith | Michael van Gerwen | 7-4 |
| 2022 | Peter Wright | Michael Smith | 7-5 |
| 2021 | Gerwyn Price | Gary Anderson | 7-3 |
| 2020 | Peter Wright | Michael van Gerwen | 7-3 |
| 2019 | Michael van Gerwen | Michael Smith | 7-3 |
| 2018 | Rob Cross | Phil Taylor | 7-2 |
| 2017 | Michael van Gerwen | Gary Anderson | 7-3 |
Years refer to the calendar year in which the final was played.
Who has won the most PDC World Darts Championship titles?
Phil Taylor holds the record with 14 PDC World Championship titles.
His record is part of a wider career that produced 16 world championships across the PDC and earlier BDO competition.
For a broader look at the players who shaped the sport, see our ten greatest darts players of all time.
Readers looking back at the previous tournament can also consult our 2025/26 World Darts Championship archive.
World Darts Championship 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
When does the World Darts Championship 2027 start?
The PDC World Darts Championship 2026/27 begins on Friday 11 December 2026 at Alexandra Palace in London.
When is the 2027 World Darts Championship final?
The final takes place on Sunday 3 January 2027.
Where is the World Darts Championship held?
The championship is held at Alexandra Palace in North London. The 2026/27 event moves into the Great Hall for the first time.
How many players qualify for the PDC World Championship?
There are 128 players in the tournament, including automatic ranking qualifiers, ProTour qualifiers and players from other qualifying routes.
How many players are seeded?
The World Championship uses 32 seeded players, determined by the PDC world rankings at the qualification cut-off.
What is the PDC Order of Merit?
The PDC Order of Merit is the official world ranking based on eligible prize money earned over a rolling 104-week period. It helps determine qualification and seeding for major tournaments.
How many sets are played in the World Darts Championship final?
The final is played over a maximum of 13 sets, with the first player to win seven sets becoming world champion.
How much does the World Darts Championship winner receive?
The 2026/27 champion receives £1 million from a total tournament prize fund of £5 million.
Who won the 2026 World Darts Championship?
Luke Littler defeated Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final on 3 January 2026 to retain his world title.
What channel is the World Darts Championship on?
The tournament is broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports, with streaming available through eligible Sky and NOW services.
Can you still get Ally Pally darts tickets?
The original 2026/27 ticket ballot has closed. Supporters should check official announcements and the authorised See Tickets Fan-to-Fan resale service for availability.
What does each-way betting mean in darts?
An each-way bet consists of a win selection and a separate place selection. The number of places and the fraction of odds paid depend on the bookmaker’s published terms.
What is the highest possible checkout in darts?
The highest possible three-dart checkout is 170, completed with two treble 20s and the bullseye.
Final Thoughts: Understanding the World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is the biggest event in the professional darts calendar, but its appeal extends well beyond the players competing for the title.
The format, ranking system, draw and atmosphere all contribute to what makes the tournament distinctive.
Understanding how sets and legs work makes the matches easier to follow. Knowing how the Order of Merit influences seedings explains why the draw develops as it does. And learning the difference between outright, each-way and statistical betting markets helps readers understand what each selection actually involves.
The 2026/27 edition adds another chapter to that story, with a new Great Hall setting, 128 competitors and £1 million awaiting the champion.
As further tournament details are confirmed, the official draw, schedule and order of play will provide the remaining pieces of the picture.
Whether you’re following the darts from home, attending Ally Pally or simply trying to understand the format, this guide provides the foundations for following the World Championship.
Sources and further information
- PDC official calendar
- PDC Order of Merit and rankings
- PDC rankings rules and prize money
- Alexandra Palace World Championship information
- Alexandra Palace travel information
Tournament information checked 7 November 2026. Schedule, qualification and ticket information may change as the event approaches.
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