For the first time in darts, the winner of the World Championship will receive a prize of £1 million
11 May 16:42
The Professional Darts Corporation has announced the largest prize money increase in the history of professional darts. The total prize pool for PDC tournaments will increase by £7 million to £25 million, and the World Championship winner will receive £1 million for the first time, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing ESPN.
It is noted that the decision is “yet another confirmation of the rapid commercial growth of darts, which in recent years has transformed from a niche sport into a global television product.”
Darts gained particular popularity following the phenomenal breakthrough of 18-year-old Briton Luke Littler, whom Western media are already calling the new face of the sport.
In January, Littler won his first world title and received a check for £500,000. Meanwhile, tournament finalist Michael van Gerwen earned £200,000.
Now, the PDC is effectively doubling the World Championship’s top prize to £1 million.
In addition to the financial record, the organizers have also announced an expansion of the tournament itself. From now on, 128 players will participate in the World Championship instead of 96. The total prize pool for the World Darts Championship will be £5 million.
Prize money in other tournaments will also increase significantly. In particular, a prize pool of £1 million will be available at the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts tournaments. Four other events—the World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship, and UK Open—will have a prize pool of £750,000.
“The £1 million prize for the world champion reflects darts’ status as one of the most exciting and popular sports in the world. This historic sum will undoubtedly make headlines as the largest prize in the sport’s history,” said PDC Executive Director Matt Porter.
“However, the announced increase in prize money also demonstrates our commitment to expanding earning opportunities for players of all levels within the PDC system.
Expanding the field for the World Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts will create more opportunities than ever before for players from around the world to compete in PDC televised tournaments.
The incredible growth of the PDC in recent years has elevated darts to an unprecedented level—both in terms of opportunities for athletes and global interest. This is a huge moment for all players striving to reach the highest level in the sport,” added Porter.
About Darts
In professional sports, darts is currently considered one of the most dynamic growth markets. PDC tournaments attract a multi-million-viewer television audience in the UK and Europe, and tickets to the final stages of championships sell out in a matter of hours.
Experts attribute this boom to a new wave of young stars, the evolution of the television format, and a sharp increase in advertising contracts.
Just ten years ago, prize money of this magnitude in darts seemed impossible. Today, however, the sport is increasingly competing for audiences and advertising budgets with Europe’s traditional sports leagues.
As a result, the league’s advertising revenue and contracts are growing at record rates.
