Darts Champion Won £31K in 1999 - Now PDC Announces £1M Prize

The PDC has unveiled a groundbreaking £1 million prize for the Darts World Champion, a massive leap from the £31,000 awarded just 25 years ago. This significant increase highlights the sport’s growing popularity, financial expansion, and larger sponsorship deals. The dramatic prize boost reflects the PDC’s commitment to elevating professional darts, making it more lucrative and competitive for players worldwide while attracting a broader audience to the sport.

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has confirmed that the winner of the 2025/26 World Darts Championship will receive a record-breaking £1 million in prize money.

The tournament, held annually in December and January at Alexandra Palace, saw Luke Littler claim victory in the previous edition.

A top player noted that securing this title guarantees long-term dominance in the world rankings. Whether it’s Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, or Gerwyn Price, the champion will likely hold the number one spot for an extended period. The significant gap between major tournament earnings means that the World Darts Championship winner will have a decisive advantage, making this event the most critical factor in determining the world’s top-ranked player.

This increase in prize money is part of a broader financial boost across PDC tournaments. Starting from the 2025/26 season, the total prize pool for PDC events will exceed £25 million, marking a £7 million rise compared to 2025. Along with the increased prize money, the World Darts Championship will expand to include 128 competitors, with a total prize fund of £5 million - one-fifth of which will be awarded to the champion.

In comparison, the 2000 tournament had a significantly smaller prize structure, with the winner receiving just £31,000 and the total prize fund amounting to £110,000. Other major darts tournaments will also see prize boosts.

From 2026, the Premier League’s total prize pool will rise to £1.25 million, with £350,000 set aside for the next season’s champion. Additionally, the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts will each feature a £1 million prize fund. Meanwhile, four other major events - the World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship, and UK Open - will see their prize pools increase to £750,000 starting next year.

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter highlighted that the £1 million prize for the World Darts Championship winner reflects the sport’s rapid growth and global appeal, marking the largest individual payout in darts history. He also emphasized that these prize increases are designed to enhance earning potential for players at all levels within the PDC system. By expanding the player fields for both the World Darts Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts, more competitors worldwide will have opportunities to participate in televised PDC events.

Porter added that the PDC's remarkable growth in recent years has elevated darts to unprecedented levels in terms of playing opportunities and worldwide recognition, making this a milestone moment for aspiring players aiming to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

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Source: talksport‍