Darts has grown from a pub pastime into a global sport, and the Top Darts Tournaments Worldwide showcase this evolution perfectly. These tournaments blend skill, strategy, and excitement, drawing fans and players from every corner of the globe.
Each event has its own personality—some steeped in decades of history, others offering fresh challenges and unique formats. Fans follow these tournaments for more than scores. They crave the thrill of a perfect 180, the tension of a tight leg, and the emotion as national pride is on the line.
From knockout brackets to league formats, the Top Darts Tournaments Worldwide bring excitement, drama, and global competition to every stage.
Major PDC Tournaments
The Professional Darts Corporation hosts some of the sport’s most high-profile tournaments.
World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is the most prestigious event in professional darts. It is held annually from December into January at Alexandra Palace in London, a venue it has occupied since 2008 (before that, from 1994 to 2007 it was held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet).
Origins & Evolution
The championship began in 1994 after a split in the sport, when the World Darts Council (WDC) broke away from the British Darts Organisation (BDO). The first champion was Dennis Priestley. Over time, the PDC event grew in prestige, prize money, and global stature.
Match Structure & Format
Matches are played in a sets format. Each set is comprised of a fixed number of legs (typically best-of-5 legs). As the tournament progresses, matches extend in both the number of sets and length of each match.
Players qualify through ranking lists, PDC Order of Merit, and regional or international qualifiers, ensuring a globally representative field.
Records & Dominant Players
Phil Taylor dominated the event for years, winning 14 PDC world titles and appearing in 19 finals.
Other multiple champions include Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis, and Peter Wright.
The Sid Waddell Trophy is awarded to the winner, named in honor of the legendary commentator.
Venue & Audience
At Alexandra Palace, matches are played in the West Hall, which seats around 3,200. The atmosphere is electric—lights, crowd chants, and global attention make it a spectacle.
Broadcasting is extensive: in the UK, Sky Sports has aired every match live since the beginning. Internationally, the tournament reaches audiences in Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond via multiple broadcasters.
Premier League Darts
Premier League Darts launched in 2005, aiming to bring elite darts to arenas across Europe and expand the sport’s audience.
Over time it grew into one of PDC’s most prestigious annual events, alongside the World Championship and World Matchplay, often referred to as part of darts’ “Triple Crown.”
Timing & Format
The competition runs weekly from February through May, culminating in playoffs in London. Initially it used small venues and fortnightly scheduling; now it’s a traveling tour with each night in a different city.
Eight players typically compete. The field is made up of the top four in the PDC Order of Merit plus four wildcard selections.
In the league phase, each player faces every other one in best-of-legs matches. Wins earn points; draws are not part of the scoring system. Tie-breaks rely on leg difference and head-to-head results.
After the league phase, the top four advance to knockout playoffs—two semifinals and a final.
International Reach
Although rooted in the UK, Premier League Darts visits international venues across Europe. This touring nature helps broaden darts’ global footprint and bring top-tier matches to fans in various countries.
World Matchplay
The World Matchplay is one of darts’ most revered tournaments. It was first held in 1994, making it one of the longest-running PDC majors. The event traditionally takes place in July at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, giving it a summer highlight spot in the darts calendar.
Format & Bracket Structure
What makes the World Matchplay unique is its leg-only knockout format—there are no sets, just a race to a target number of legs. Each match must be won by two clear legs, adding to the drama.
First Round: First to 10 legs.
Second Round: First to 11 legs
Quarterfinals: First to 16 legs
Semifinals: First to 17 legs
Final: First to 18 legs.
If players reach the target score and are tied (for example, 9–9 in a race to 10), they continue until one gains a two-leg advantage, up to a sudden-death limit.
Significance in the Darts Calendar
The World Matchplay sits between the early-year Premier League and the later-year major events like the Grand Prix and World Championship. Its placement provides continuity and tests players in mid-season form.
Because of its unique format and prestigious history, winning the Matchplay is considered one of the greatest achievements in darts—on par with other major titles.
Grand Slam of Darts
The Grand Slam of Darts is a unique PDC event that blends the worlds of PDC and WDF competition. It first took place in 2007, created to bring together winners and strong performers from various tournaments into one showcase event.
Over time, the Grand Slam has become one of the most talked-about tournaments on the calendar, thanks to its mix of formats, international fields, and dramatic matches.
Timing & Venue
The tournament is held in November each year, in Wolverhampton, England (at WV Active Aldersley, formerly Aldersley Leisure Village).
The tournament occurs in November, with a prize fund of £650,000 and a winner’s share of £150,000.
Interestingly, 2025 will be the last time it features a field of just 32 players — starting in 2026 it will expand to 48.
Field & Qualification
Players qualify through a varied mix:
– Finalists from televised PDC tournaments.
– PDC Pro Tour title winners Qualifiers via Tour Card holder spots.
Match Format & Tournament Structure
The Grand Slam uses a group stage + knockout design. First, players are divided into groups (typically 8 groups of 4). They play round-robin matches in best-of-legs format. The top two in each group advance to a knockout bracket.
From there, the tournament proceeds in straight single-elimination: last 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. All matches are legs-based.
International Reach & Prestige
One of the Grand Slam’s strengths is its international appeal. Because it invites WDF players as well, it brings together top talent from different circuits, creating cross-tour showdowns. Fans get to see players who might not usually meet compete under one roof.
Its expanded format in 2026 aims to deepen that reach even further by allowing more participants worldwide.
World Grand Prix
The World Grand Prix was introduced in 1998 by the PDC, with the intent to create a major event with a distinctive twist. The tournament is typically held in October, making it one of the autumn highlights on the darts calendar.
Since its early years, it has been hosted in Leicester (at the Mattioli Arena and its previous incarnations). The venue gives consistency and a strong home base for fans and players alike.
Signature Format
What sets the Grand Prix apart is its “double-in, double-out” rule: players must start each leg with a double (i.e. hit a double to begin scoring) and also finish the leg with a double. This requirement adds a strategic challenge, because even if a player scores heavily, failure to hit the opening double can cost the leg.
Champions & Milestones
Through its history, the Grand Prix has produced memorable winners and performances. Players like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, and Gary Anderson have all claimed the title.
Because of its tricky format, some upsets have occurred: players sometimes struggle to “get in” or “get out” despite strong scoring in between. The double requirement makes each leg more tactical and punishes missed opportunities heavily.
Role in the Season
The World Grand Prix sits late in the professional season. It often serves as a build-up to the Players Championship Finals and, ultimately, the World Championship. Because it requires precision on both opening and finishing doubles, it’s viewed as a pure test of a player’s skill and nerve.
Winning the Grand Prix is a sign of mastery — a victory here signals not just scoring power, but complete command of all facets of the game.
Players Championship Finals
The Players Championship Finals is one of the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) key ranking events. It is a culmination of the Players Championship Tour, which spans dozens of events throughout the year. The Finals reward consistency and form, showcasing the most successful players across the season.
History & Timing
The tournament was introduced in 2009 and has been held annually since then. It typically takes place late in the year, after the conclusion of the Players Championship series, often in November. This timing allows players to carry momentum into the World Championship while also providing one of the last opportunities to earn significant ranking points.
Qualification & Field
Entry is reserved for the top 64 players from the Players Championship Order of Merit, based on prize money earned in the series’ events. This ensures only the most consistent and successful players compete, rewarding season-long performance rather than a single standout result.
Format & Competition
The tournament is played in a single-elimination legs format, with match lengths increasing in later rounds:
Early rounds: shorter matches, typically best-of-11 legs.
Middle rounds: moderate length, best-of-19 legs.
Semifinals & final: extended matches, usually best-of-21 legs.
Significance & Prestige
Although it is a Pro Tour Finals event rather than a “major,” the Players Championship Finals carries considerable prestige. Winning requires consistent high-level performance across the season, and the tournament is often a stepping stone to success in the World Darts Championship.
World Series of Darts
The World Series of Darts is a global series of events organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) to promote the sport internationally. It brings together top-ranked professionals and regional qualifiers to compete across multiple countries. This structure has helped darts expand its reach, attracting fans from Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania.
Structure & Qualification
The series typically includes multiple events in countries such as Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Bahrain, and New Zealand. Players qualify through a combination of:
– Top-ranked PDC professionals.
– Regional qualifiers from the host nation or continent.
– Tour Card holder qualifiers for additional spots.
The World Cup of Darts is one of the rare PDC events that features national pairs, making it a showcase of international rivalry and teamwork.
The World Series Finals
The series concludes with the World Series Finals, usually held in a central European venue such as Amsterdam. The finals bring together:
– Top performers from the individual events.
– Additional qualifiers from regional and tour competitions.
The finals are a single-elimination tournament, with increasing leg counts per round to determine the overall champion. It is considered one of the most prestigious events in the PDC calendar outside of the traditional majors, both for ranking points and prestige.
World Masters
The PDC World Masters is one of the newest additions to the list of elite tournaments on the PDC calendar, and it’s already making its mark among the world’s top darts events.
First held in 2013, the tournament brings together a 32-player field, featuring the top 24 players from the PDC Order of Merit along with eight qualifiers.
After several years as a legs-based invitational, the format was overhauled for the 2025 edition, introducing a sets-based structure that mirrors the sport’s biggest televised championships.
This change has helped the event stand out as a true test of consistency and composure, demanding the same strategic depth seen in the World Championship and World Grand Prix.
Standing Among Major Darts Tournaments
The PDC World Masters sits just below the sport’s most prestigious events — the PDC World Darts Championship, the World Matchplay, and the World Grand Prix — in terms of ranking points, prize money, and prestige.
However, its sets-based format and 32-player elite field give it a status closer to a “major invitational,” comparable to tennis’ ATP Finals or golf’s Players Championship.
World Cup of Darts
The PDC World Cup of Darts stands out as one of the most distinctive tournaments on the professional circuit. Unlike the solo-focused major championships, this event celebrates teamwork and national identity. It gives players the chance to represent their countries rather than themselves, creating a powerful sense of pride and emotion every time they step on stage.
Origins and Growth
First introduced in 2010, the World Cup was designed to highlight darts as a truly global game. Over the years, it has travelled across Europe, with venues such as Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Salzburg hosting the event. Held during the summer months, it has grown from a small competition into one of the most anticipated tournaments on the calendar.
Tournament Format
The format has changed several times, reflecting the sport’s evolving landscape. Earlier editions combined singles and doubles matches, while recent versions focus solely on doubles play—making teamwork more crucial than ever. Forty nations now compete in a mix of group stages and knockout rounds, where coordination and communication often matter more than raw scoring power.
Other Notable PDC Circuits
Challenge Tour: For emerging pros with knockout events across the year.
Development Tour: For players under 23, mirroring main PDC formats.
Women’s Series: Promotes female participation and international exposure.
The World Youth Championship highlights the next generation of players worldwide, offering international competition experience and exposure.
Key WDF and International Tournaments
WDF tournaments give players outside the PDC a global stage while emphasizing national teams and international rivalry.
WDF World Cup
Held every two years since 1977, the WDF World Cup includes singles, pairs, and team events for men, women, and youth.
The competition combines group stages and knockout rounds, with matches played in legs or sets. Tie-breaks are used when required. International stars like Scott Mitchell and Lisa Ashton have made history here. Fans enjoy national rivalries, as teams compete for continental and world titles.
WDF Korea Open
A Gold-ranked tournament in Asia, attracting players from around the world.
Matches are knockout leg-based contests, sometimes with seeded players and qualifiers entering early rounds. It highlights the sport’s international growth and provides opportunities for rising talent to challenge established players.
Continental Championships
This includes the Americas Cup, Asia-Pacific Cup, and Europe Cup.
Events combine team and individual matches in sets or legs, with brackets that mix knockout and round-robin stages. National teams compete for continental honors, with dominant countries like England, Netherlands, and Germany often prevailing, but occasional upsets make the tournaments exciting.
WDF World Darts Championship
Rotating venues allow international players to compete for the WDF title.
Matches are set-play knockout contests, with longer formats in later rounds. Qualifiers ensure a globally diverse field. Rising stars often use this tournament as a platform to launch international careers.
WDF World Masters
Held in autumn, the World Masters includes singles, pairs, and team competitions.
Matches follow set-play knockout formats, with early rounds shorter than finals. National teams often showcase emerging talent, emphasizing the sport’s international development.
WDF Ranking Events
Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tournaments occur worldwide.
Players compete in leg-based or set-play knockout matches, with tie-breaks as needed. These events allow participants to gain international experience while earning ranking points that qualify them for major championships.
Soft Tip and Electronic Darts
The IDF organizes global soft tip and electronic darts events.
Competitions include the World Soft Darts Championships and Champions League Finals. Matches are scored electronically, with knockout or round-robin formats and tie-breaks when required. These events attract younger audiences and combine speed, precision, and strategy.
The Global Spirit of Darts
From London to Seoul, New York to Amsterdam, darts is now a truly international sport. Top players, national teams, and rising stars meet across continents, showcasing skill, strategy, and national pride. Fans experience emotion, drama, and excitement in every match. Darts has grown beyond a game—it is a worldwide celebration.
Question & Answers
What is the most prestigious darts tournament?
The World Darts Championship is the sport’s top event, attracting players from all over the world each December and January.
When do major PDC tournaments take place?
PDC tournaments run year-round, from early-season leagues like the Premier League to summer and autumn finals.
How is Premier League Darts structured?
It uses a round-robin league followed by knockout semifinals and a final. Matches are best-of-legs, building storylines over several weeks.
What makes the World Matchplay special?
The World Matchplay uses long leg-based knockout matches, testing focus, stamina, and strategy throughout the tournament.
What is unique about the World Grand Prix?
Players must start and finish each leg with a double, making it a challenging and thrilling event for fans and players.
Which tournaments highlight national teams?
The World Cup of Darts and WDF Continental Championships showcase teams representing their countries, with national pride on the line.
Are there tournaments for women and youth?
Yes. The Women’s Series and World Youth Championship provide international competition and exposure for rising talent.
What are WDF ranking events?
Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze events are held worldwide, awarding points that affect international rankings.
How do soft tip and electronic darts differ?
These events use electronic scoring, faster play, and often include round-robin or knockout matches.
Which players are known for dominating international darts?
Legends include Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright, Lisa Ashton, and Phil Taylor. Top national teams often include England, Netherlands, and Scotland.
