ANALYSIS: Where could World Series of Darts go next as darts continues to rise amid 'Littlermania'

The PDC’s World Series of Darts has grown into a truly global spectacle, captivating audiences across continents and bringing the excitement of professional darts to fans in cities far beyond the sport’s traditional heartlands. As the PDC looks to the future, expansion into new territories has become a key focus, with Asia and Canada emerging as particularly promising markets for potential future events. These regions not only offer large audiences and growing interest in darts, but they also provide opportunities to strengthen the sport’s global footprint while nurturing local talent.

Asia has seen a rapid rise in darts interest over recent years, in no small part thanks to the PDC Asian Tour and the success of regional players who have begun making their mark on the international stage. The 2025 PDC Asian Tour, which has expanded to 28 tournaments, has already featured events in countries such as Singapore, the Philippines, and China. This expansion highlights both the commercial potential and the growing grassroots support for darts across the continent. Nations such as Japan, South Korea, and Thailand have particularly vibrant communities, with local tournaments gaining traction and an increasing number of players striving to compete at the highest level.

The PDC Asian Championship, which grants qualification spots for major events including the World Darts Championship, has further fuelled interest and provided a platform for emerging players to gain recognition on the world stage. There has been speculation and confirmation from PDC officials that a new World Series event in Asia is a realistic prospect, and such an addition would not only capitalize on the region’s growing enthusiasm but also provide a pathway for more Asian players to participate in televised tournaments, thereby inspiring a new generation of talent.

Canada, meanwhile, represents a promising North American frontier for the PDC World Series. The country has a rich sporting culture, a history of supporting competitive events, and a fan base that has grown steadily with the increasing profile of darts in the United States. Hosting a World Series event in Canada would offer the dual benefit of catering to existing fans while introducing the sport to new audiences in a country where live professional darts events are relatively rare. Major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal possess the necessary infrastructure to host international sporting events and are home to venues capable of accommodating large crowds. The successful staging of the US Darts Masters in New York demonstrates that darts can draw a crowd in North America, and a Canadian leg of the World Series could act as a springboard for broader engagement in the region, potentially paving the way for future events in other North American markets, including Mexico and additional cities in the United States.

Looking ahead, the PDC has multiple avenues to evolve and revamp the World Series experience. One obvious approach is to increase the number of events on the calendar, ensuring that players have more opportunities to compete while fans across the world can experience live professional darts. More events also mean a larger global footprint, which helps the sport grow commercially and culturally. Additionally, the format of the World Series could be revisited to keep the competitions exciting and unpredictable. Innovations might include round-robin stages, team-based competitions, or mixed doubles events, all of which would bring a fresh dynamic and engage fans in new ways. The PDC could also invest in enhancing fan interaction both onsite and digitally, through initiatives like meet-and-greets with players, interactive fan zones, live Q&A sessions, and expanded streaming options, which would allow audiences who cannot attend in person to participate in the excitement and feel a stronger connection to the sport.

Another avenue for evolution involves closer integration with local darts scenes in host countries. By collaborating with local organizations, inviting regional players to participate, and promoting community involvement, the PDC can foster inclusivity and ensure that the World Series is not merely a visiting spectacle but a catalyst for local development. This approach can help build long-term engagement, encourage grassroots participation, and create opportunities for local talent to gain international exposure and experience. It would also reinforce the PDC’s commitment to growing darts globally, showing that the organization values both entertainment and the development of the sport’s future stars.

Asia and Canada represent both immediate opportunities and long-term strategic investments for the World Series. In Asia, the growth of the sport, the emergence of competitive players, and the enthusiastic fan base make it an ideal destination for future events. In Canada, the combination of sporting infrastructure, a receptive audience, and proximity to other North American markets offers a similarly promising landscape. Expanding into these regions would not only broaden the reach of the World Series but also serve as a statement about darts’ ambition to become a truly global sport, capable of drawing audiences and nurturing talent worldwide.

Ultimately, the PDC World Series of Darts stands at a crossroads. The potential to visit new countries, particularly in Asia and Canada, combined with the opportunity to evolve the tournament’s structure and fan experience, presents a unique moment for the sport to grow both commercially and culturally. By embracing these possibilities, the World Series can continue to provide thrilling competition, expand its global audience, and inspire players from every corner of the world to strive for excellence, ensuring that darts remains a sport that resonates far beyond its traditional heartlands.

The next decade could see the World Series firmly established as a worldwide phenomenon, with a truly international schedule, innovative formats, and a fan-first approach that brings the excitement of darts to more people than ever before.