The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has announced a historic increase in prize money for the 2026 World Darts Championship, with the winner set to receive a record £1 million. This is a substantial leap from the £500,000 awarded to Luke Littler, who won the 2025 title. The tournament will see an expanded field of 128 players competing for a £5 million prize fund, marking the largest prize pool in the history of the sport.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter confirmed that this significant boost reflects the sport’s growing popularity and status. He emphasized that the £1 million prize for the world champion is a clear indicator of darts’ ascent as one of the most exciting sports in the world. Porter further highlighted that the increase in prize money also demonstrates the PDC’s commitment to expanding earning potential for players at all levels. With the field now expanded, more players from around the globe will have the opportunity to feature in prestigious televised PDC events.
The rise in prize money comes amid darts’ rapid growth in recent years, fueled by young talents like Littler, who has become one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. Littler’s success story, including reaching the 2024 World Championship final as a qualifier and later winning his first title in January 2025, has captured the imagination of fans and players alike. The teenager’s victory in the 2025 World Championship, in which he defeated Michael van Gerwen, helped solidify the sport’s increasing global appeal.
The increase in prize funds will also have a significant impact on the PDC’s world ranking system. The tournament’s winner will automatically ascend to the number one spot in the PDC Order of Merit, a ranking determined by tournament earnings. Littler, currently ranked number two behind Luke Humphries, noted that the £1 million prize will bring a new level of prestige to the World Championship, adding excitement and further incentive for players to strive for the title.
The history of the World Championship prize fund shows just how far the sport has come. In its early years, the prize pool was modest by today’s standards. The first PDC World Championship, which took place after a breakaway from the British Darts Organisation (BDO), awarded a total prize fund of just £64,000, with the winner, Dennis Priestley, receiving £16,000. By 2006, when Phil Taylor claimed his seventh world title, the first-place prize had risen to £100,000. In 2014, Michael van Gerwen won £250,000, and since 2019, the prize for the world champion has been £500,000.
This upward trajectory in prize money is part of a broader effort to enhance the financial landscape for players across all PDC events. The Premier League prize fund will increase to £1.25 million in 2026, with the champion receiving £350,000. Additionally, the World Matchplay and the Grand Slam of Darts will both offer £1 million prize funds, with the Grand Slam expanding to a 48-player field to mark its 20th anniversary.
Other significant events, including the World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship, and UK Open, will see their prize funds rise to £750,000. Additionally, the World Series of Darts Finals and the World Cup of Darts will each receive a £50,000 increase in their prize funds.
European Tour events will also see substantial increases, with each of the 14 tournaments featuring a £230,000 prize pool. The top prize at all 34 Players Championship “floor” events will rise to £150,000. Furthermore, there will be a £5,000 increase per event for Challenge Tour, Development Tour, and Women’s Series competitions. The Women’s World Matchplay will feature a £40,000 prize fund, and funding for global affiliate tours and overseas development will increase by 50%.
With these enhancements, the PDC is ensuring that darts players at every level have the opportunity to earn more, contributing to the sport’s continued growth and raising the stakes for both players and fans alike.
