PDCE Start is PDC Europe’s new, nationwide tournament series for amateurs in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Matches are played where darts is alive and well: in participating clubs right on your doorstep. The first season comprises ten weeks of regular competition, followed by regional final tournaments. Each player’s ten best results count towards the regional rankings. Whoever wins the Regional Finals in their region becomes Regional Champion and thereby automatically qualifies for a newly created PDC Major tournament. Furthermore, the Regional Champions will compete in head-to-head matches for four further places in the HYLO PDC Europe Super League.
Tournaments (How are they played?)
Each tournament is played according to a clearly structured group format. Depending on the size of the club, two formats are available: the small format with four boards accommodates up to 24 participants, whilst the large format with eight boards accommodates up to 48 participants. In both variants, players are divided into groups of no more than six per board and play the group stage in a best-of-three-legs format. The top two players from each group qualify for the knockout stage, which is played in a best-of-five-legs format from the round of 16 and quarter-finals onwards. Special rule: if a leg is not checked out within 60 darts, the leg is decided by a bullseye throw.
Tournaments take place at least once a week at each club venue, usually on weekdays, starting between 6 pm and 8 pm. All dates are published on the RegConnect platform. Registration opens one week before the respective tournament and is available exclusively online via RegConnect. Getting started is easy: a PDCE starter membership costs 10 euros per season, whilst entry to individual tournaments costs 6 euros. Minimum age: 12 years. A minimum age of 16 applies for qualification for final tournaments.
Regions
PDCE Start is divided into eight regions across the DACH region, including Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. Each region has its own league table and its own final tournament. The points you earn in tournaments count exclusively towards the region in which you are resident, regardless of which club is hosting the tournament.
Germany is divided into four regions: Western Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Luxembourg), Northern Germany (Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Eastern Germany (Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and Berlin) and Southern Germany (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg).
Austria is divided into two regions: Western Austria comprises Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia and Upper Austria. Eastern Austria comprises Styria, Lower Austria, Vienna and Burgenland.
Switzerland is also divided into two regions: Western Switzerland (Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Bern, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Jura, Solothurn, Basel-Landschaft and Basel-Stadt) and Eastern Switzerland (Aargau, Lucerne, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Uri, Ticino, Graubünden, Glarus, Schwyz, Zug, Zurich, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, St Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerhoden and Liechtenstein).
Residence in the DACH region or in Luxembourg and Liechtenstein is mandatory. Players who are eligible to compete under PDC rules but live outside these regions will be allocated on a case-by-case basis.
Scoring system
Points are awarded at every tournament and count towards the regional rankings. Only the best ten results of the season count. It is therefore worth playing regularly and replacing weaker results with better ones.
Participating in a tournament awards 2 points. Qualifying for the knockout stage brings the total to 20 points. For each subsequent victory in the knockout stage, an additional 20 points are awarded. Winning a tournament adds another 30 points to the ranking. In addition to the regular tournament points, extra points are awarded for special achievements, such as short legs, high scores, or high finishes. Every dart counts!
Qualification & Prizes
Whoever wins their regional final tournament will be crowned Regional Champion and will thereby secure two direct rewards: a place in a newly created PDC Major tournament and a place in the final tournament to decide the Super League places. The runner-up in the regional final tournament won’t go away empty-handed either: they will receive an Next Gen Season Pass.
Before the start of the PDC Europe Super League, the regional champions will face off in head-to-head matches. The final remaining places in the Super League will be decided in four one-on-one matches, which could pave the way for players to go straight from their clubs to Ally Pally. A total of 40,000 euros in prize money will be awarded. Additional bonuses totalling around 7,000 euros will supplement the prize money on offer.
HOW CAN MY CLUB GET INVOLVED?
Would you like to register your club as a venue for PDCE Start? Become a PDC Europe partner and offer your members regular, professionally organised tournaments right on your doorstep.
Participating clubs benefit from increased visibility, an active club life and direct contact with PDC Europe. You’ll also generate additional income through the ongoing play on your boards.
Requirements
To apply, you will need at least four boards with adequate lighting and fixed oches, tablets or computers with a DartConnect connection for all boards, and a stable internet connection. At least one trained organiser must be present on site for each tournament.
Do you have any questions? Please feel free to get in touch at: [email protected]