PDC Europe is bringing the sport of darts even closer to the players with a new, nationwide tournament series. With PDC Europe Start, players in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland have the chance to qualify for prestigious PDC tournaments right on their doorstep. At the end of the road, there is even a ticket to the World Darts Championship at Ally Pally. PDCE Start serves as an ideal springboard and provides the previously missing direct link to the HYLO PDC Europe Next Gen, enabling talents to make a seamless transition into professional play. The starting gun for the first season will be fired on August 3, 2026.
Starting Places for the SUPER LEAGUE and a new PDC Major tournament in 2027
The series is divided into eight regions: four in Germany (North, South, West incl. Luxembourg, East), two in Austria (West, East), and two in Switzerland (West, East incl. Liechtenstein). The core of PDCE Start is the direct Major tournament perspective: Every Regional Champion qualifies for a new Major tournament of the PDC in 2027. Further information regarding the new tournament will be published in the upcoming weeks.
Four Places for the Super League: Regional Champions in a Direct Duel
One day before the start of the HYLO PDC Europe Super League, four additional starting places for the Super League will be contested in a unique showdown of direct 1v1 duels between the Regional Champions, which can pave the way to Ally Pally.
“The Future of Our Sport”: What the Pros Say
For the top German player Niko Springer, tournament series like this are fundamental to securing the future of the sport:
“They give players a clear perspective to work their way up step by step,” Springer emphasizes. “You start locally, show what you’ve got at PDCE Start, and suddenly the big stage isn’t that far away anymore.”
The German number one, Martin Schindler, also underlines how important these professional conditions have become by now:
“Today, it’s no longer enough just to have talent. You need platforms like PDCE Start where you can regularly prove yourself under competitive conditions without having to travel across Germany or the whole of Europe right away. For the development of the sport in the German-speaking region, this is a massive milestone.”
The Dutch World Championship runner-up, Gian van Veen, also sees this as a crucial bridge for a career:
“Tournament series like this are especially important for the younger players. As soon as you are no longer eligible for youth tournaments, the step up to the adults can be tough.”
The English crowd favorite, Stephen Bunting, makes it clear that the development of the region is being closely watched internationally as well:
“The darts boom in the DACH region is unbelievable and the fans there are undoubtedly among the best in the world. But to maintain this momentum, you have to offer local players a clear path to the top. That is exactly what PDCE Start does. It opens the door for regular players to show what they can do. I am sure it won’t be long before we see some of these guys on the big TV stages, making life difficult for us.”
Season Format and Match Operations
A season comprises ten weeks of regular match operations in participating clubs, followed by regional final tournaments for the top 32 of the regional ranking list. A player’s best ten results will count towards the ranking. The points system is structured as follows:
- Participation: 2 points per ranking tournament.
- Knockout Round: 18 points for qualification and 20 points for each subsequent victory within it.
- Tournament Victory: An additional 30 points.
- Bonus: Extra points for special achievements (e.g., short legs, high scores, or high finishes).
The tournaments take place at least once a week per club location, usually on weekdays from 6:00 PM onwards. The entry fee is 6 Euros per tournament. A player membership for PDCE Start is required for 10 Euros per season. To participate, players must have a residence in the DACH region and be at least twelve years old. To be allowed to play in the Regional Finals, the minimum age is 16 years.
A total of 40,000 Euros in prize money will be distributed. In addition, there are qualifications for the a new PDC Major tournament in 2027, participation in the Super League playoffs, as well as Next Gen Season Passes and Weekend Passes. Starting in 2027, there are plans to expand the format to three series per year.
Application for Interested Clubs
Interested clubs can apply HERE starting immediately. The following minimum requirements must be met:
- At least four boards with sufficient lighting and Fixed Oches.
- Tablets or computers with a DartConnect connection for all boards.
- A stable internet connection.
- At least one trained organizer on-site for each tournament.
