PDC World Darts Championship Prize Money Reaches Historic £1 Million Mark

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) have made history by confirming the biggest prize money increase the sport has ever seen.

From the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship onwards, the tournament winner will take home an unprecedented £1 million – doubling the current champion’s prize of £500,000 and solidifying darts as one of the highest-paying sports globally.

The total prize fund for the PDC World Darts Championship will rise to £5 million, ensuring lucrative rewards across all rounds.

The groundbreaking announcement comes alongside a significant £7 million increase in prize money across the entire PDC circuit, bringing the total available earnings to over £25 million.

What a time to be a dart player@OfficialPDC @TargetDarts pic.twitter.com/DApljIItVx

— Glen Durrant (@Duzza180) March 31, 2025

PDC Prize Money Increase

The PDC are not only increasing rewards for its flagship event but also boosting earnings across various tournaments, ensuring players at all levels benefit from the expansion.

Other key increases include:

• Premier League Darts: Prize fund rises to £1.25 million, with £350,000 for the winner.
• World Matchplay & Grand Slam of Darts: Both will now feature a £1 million prize pool.
• Grand Slam of Darts Expansion: The field will grow from 32 to 48 players for its 20th anniversary in 2026.
• Increased Funding for Major Events: The World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship, and UK Open will each feature £750,000 in prize money.
• World Cup of Darts & World Series of Darts Finals: An additional £50,000 will be added to their prize pools.
• European Tour & ProTours: European Tour events will now feature a £230,000 prize fund, while Players Championship events will see an increase to £150,000.
• Development and Women’s Tours: Prize money across the Challenge Tour, Development Tour, and Women’s Series events will be boosted by £5,000 per event.

How The Prize Money Increase Affects Darts Players

The PDC’s prize fund expansion ensures that both top-tier and emerging players benefit from greater financial security.

This move is intended to not only reward elite professionals but also encourage rising stars and global competitors to pursue darts at a professional level.

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter emphasised the significance of this historic increase, stating, “The £1 million prize for the World Champion reflects darts’ standing as one of the most exciting and in-demand sports in the world.”

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

The expansion of the World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts means that more players than ever before will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, further enhancing the sport’s global appeal.

Winner's Share/Prize Pot by Premier Event [Ranking -R]

WORLDS
£1m/£5m -R

PREM LG
£350k/£1.25m

MATCHPLAY
£225k/£1m -R

SLAM
£200k/£1m -R

GRAND PRIX & EUROS
£150k/£750k -R

PLAYERS CH'SHIP
£130k/£750k -R

UK OPEN
£120k/£750k -R

MASTERS
£100k/£500k -R

WSoD FINALS
£100k/£450k pic.twitter.com/L5Nq2tM9JD

— Dan Dawson (@DanDartsDawson) March 31, 2025

2026 PDC Prize Money – Full Breakdown

Below is the detailed breakdown of prize money for key PDC events:

PDC World Darts Championship 2026

• Winner: £1,000,000
• Runner-Up: £400,000
• Semi-Finalists: £200,000
• Quarter-Finalists: £100,000
• Last 16 Losers: £60,000
• Last 32 Losers: £35,000
• Last 64 Losers: £25,000
• Last 128 Losers: £15,000
• Total Prize Fund: £5,000,000

Premier League Darts 2026

• Winner: £350,000
• Runner-Up: £170,000
• Semi-Finalists: £110,000
• Total Prize Fund: £1,250,000

World Matchplay 2026

• Winner: £225,000
• Runner-Up: £125,000
• Total Prize Fund: £1,000,000

Grand Slam of Darts 2026

• Winner: £200,000
• Runner-Up: £100,000
• Total Prize Fund: £1,000,000