PDC announces new major tournament European Open in Salzburg for 2027

The Professional Darts Corporation has presented its framework calendar for 2027 - and it will be busier than already. Most important change: With the European Open, a new major tournament is being added. It will be held in Salzburg from June 18th to 20th. All 128 PDC professionals who have a tour card will play for £750,000 in prize money. Further details were not initially known.

“The introduction of the European Open in Salzburg is another significant addition to the event calendar and further strengthens what is already a fantastic offering throughout the year,” said PDC boss Matt Porter.

The introduction of a new major tournament has been discussed repeatedly over the past few months. Germany was also brought into play as a possible venue - but now Austria has been awarded the contract. This leaves Germany with two major tournaments: the Team World Cup in Frankfurt am Main (June 10th to 13th, 2027) and the European Championship in Dortmund (October 26th to 31st, 2027).

At least the fans can look forward to an extensive European Championship in Dortmund's Westfalenhallen. Starting next year, the event will be expanded to six days instead of the previous four and will be expanded to 48 instead of the previous 32 participants. From 2027 there will be a total of one million pounds in prize money - this year the tournament will pay out another 750,000 pounds.

There will be further PDC tournaments on the European Tour next year in Kiel, Munich, Göttingen, Sindelfingen and Leverkusen. The European tournament series will be held in ten countries (15 tournaments) in 2027 - and will have a guest appearance in France for the first time. The game will be played in Liévin, southeast of Lille, from March 19th to 21st. The PDC is thus continuing its path of consistent internationalization.

“When I think back to the journey that darts has taken in our country in recent years, it is simply incredible,” wrote French professional Thibault Tricole on Facebook. "Almost ten years ago, it all seemed so far away, even unthinkable. Sometimes I wondered whether the association wouldn't disappear at some point, as the number of members had fallen so dramatically. And today we are on the verge of organizing an official PDC competition in France."

The traditional Premier League evening in Berlin, where eight stars meet in an invitational league, is taking place early in the year this time. The darts team will be guests at the Uber Arena for the second match day on February 4th.