The PDC has reinforced its commitment to expanding darts worldwide after announcing a £3 million-plus investment in its Global Affiliate Tours from 2026–2028.
The new three-year funding cycle forms part of a wider increase in prize funds and expansion across all levels of the sport, marking a significant step forward for international darts. The announcement follows standout performances from international qualifiers at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, underlining the growing depth of global talent on the Alexandra Palace stage.
Alongside enhanced prize money, leading players from each region will gain increased access to PDC Qualifying School, World Masters Preliminary Rounds, and major televised events including the World Cup, Grand Slam and World Championship. The funding also guarantees minimum prize pools across Affiliate Tours, sustaining the strong post-Covid growth of the sport.
Major regional expansions include the Asian Tour, featuring 28 events worth US$15,000 each plus the US$110,000 PDC Asian Championship, and the North American Championship Darts Corporation tour, offering US$250,000 across 16 events. Europe’s Nordic & Baltic Tour, Australia, New Zealand, China, Africa, and Latin America will also see significant increases in events and prize money.
“This is a huge show of support for all our Global Affiliate Tours and possibly the most significant announcement ever for the worldwide growth of darts,” said PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter.
“We have worked hard alongside our local partners in each region to build their calendars and provide increased opportunities and pathways for their players – and the results we are starting to see in our Premier events, plus the growing spread of Tour Card Holders, shows that we are heading in the right direction to achieve our goal of truly globalising professional darts.
“This announcement gives our global partners certainty for the next three years but also a platform to continue growing the sport across their regions.
“The success Kenya’s David Munyua and India’s Nitin Kumar in being their nation’s first winners on the World Championship stage and with Jesus Salate becoming the first Argentinian player in the event will only inspire more players from around the world and there is now a defined route for these players to gain more big-stage experience.
“These increases in our global support follow the prize fund boosts implemented from now onwards across the PDC circuit, as we enter a hugely exciting new era for our sport.”
To further support this expansion, Dave Allen will move into a newly created role as Head of Development, working closely with global partners to drive the sport’s international growth.
Source: PDC.TV
