PDC reveal huge prize money increases

The winner of the 2026 World Darts Championship will earn £1m, twice the amount received by Luke Littler in 2024.

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has announced the total prize fund for its flagship tournament will rise to £5m from 2025, doubling the previous amount.

The runner-up has been allocated £400,000, while semi-finalists will receive £200,000 each.

The tournament has also been expanded to feature 128 players in 2026, an increase from the 96 who competed in the 2024–25 edition. This follows a period of significant growth for darts, with increasing participation and viewership in the UK.

In addition to the World Championship, total prize money across all PDC competitions has been raised by £7m to £25m. The Premier League winner’s prize has also been increased from £275,000 to £350,000.

Several other major events, including the World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship, UK Open, World Cup of Darts, and World Series of Darts, have seen their prize pools grow. More funding has also been allocated to the Challenge Tour, Development Tour, and Women’s Series, with £40,000 set aside for the Women’s World Matchplay.

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter, commented, “The £1m prize for the World Champion reflects darts’ standing as one of the most exciting and in-demand sports in the world and the historic total will rightly attract headlines as the biggest prize ever paid out in the sport.

“However, the increased prize funds announced today demonstrate our commitment to growing earning potential for players at all levels within the PDC system.

“The incredible growth of the PDC in recent years has seen darts elevated to levels never seen before both in terms of playing opportunities and global interest and this is a huge moment for all players with the ambition to make it to the very pinnacle of the sport.”