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World Darts Championship 2027: dates, prize money & format
From 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, 128 players battle for the title at London's Alexandra Palace. Here are all the key facts at a glance.
- Dates
- 11 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
- Venue
- Alexandra Palace, London (Great Hall for the first time)
- Players
- 128
- Total prize money
- £5,000,000
- Champion receives
- £1,000,000
- Defending champion
- Luke Littler
- Edition
- 34th PDC World Championship, 20th at the Ally Pally
Dates and format of every round
| Round | Date | Format | Prize money per player |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 11 Dec – 19 December 2026 | Best of 5 sets | £15,000 |
| Round 2 | 20 Dec – 23 December 2026 | Best of 5 sets | £25,000 |
| Round 3 | 27 Dec – 29 December 2026 | Best of 7 sets | £35,000 |
| Last 16 | 29 Dec – 30 December 2026 | Best of 7 sets | £60,000 |
| Quarter-final | 1 January 2027 | Best of 9 sets | £100,000 |
| Semi-final | 2 January 2027 (provisional) | Best of 11 sets | £200,000 |
| Final | 3 January 2027 | Best of 13 sets | £400,000 / 🏆 £1,000,000 |
Prize money 2027
As last year, a total of £5,000,000 is paid out, with £1,000,000 for the world champion. A nine-darter earns a bonus of £60,000 each for the player, a spectator in the hall and Cancer Research UK.
Format
Matches are played as 501 double out in sets. A set is best of 5 legs. Rounds 1 and 2 are first to three sets, round 3 and the last 16 first to four, quarter-finals first to five, semi-finals first to six and the final first to seven. A deciding set requires two clear legs, with a sudden-death leg at 5–5.
Qualification
The field consists of the top 40 of the PDC Order of Merit, the 40 best non-qualified players from the Pro Tour Order of Merit and 48 international qualifiers. For the first time Africa has two guaranteed places. The final spots are decided at the Tour Card Holder Qualifier right before the draw.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2027 World Darts Championship start?
It starts on 11 December 2026 and ends with the final on 3 January 2027.
How much is the prize money?
£5 million in total; the world champion receives £1 million.
Where is the World Darts Championship held?
At Alexandra Palace in London – in 2027 for the first time in the larger Great Hall instead of the West Hall.