"More players get an opportunity": Mark Webster backs PDC plans for 2027

The PDC will make major changes to the darts calendar in 2027. Several big tournaments will be expanded, prize money will continue to rise, and a new major tournament will even be added. Former world champion Mark Webster is enthusiastic about the developments, although the Welshman acknowledges that the schedule is becoming increasingly busy for players.

In an extensive interview with Online Darts, he discusses the PDC's plans, the growing popularity of the World Darts Championship and the notable decisions made by Luke Littler.

Webster, who now works as an analyst, closely follows developments in the world of darts. The former BDO world champion has seen the sport continue to develop at a rapid pace and is particularly positive about the additional opportunities players have to earn prize money.

One of the most important changes for 2027 is the expansion of the Players Championship Finals. While 64 players currently qualify for the tournament, that number will double to 128 next year.

Webster believes it is a logical decision. “I can't dislike that, to be fair. Yeah, I think it's quite logical. I think we've been there many times, the facilities are there. It's an easy thing.”

The expansion will make the tournament more similar to the UK Open, according to Webster, although an important difference will remain. “It does make it a little bit similar to the UK Open, but it isn't open draw. So look, I like that.”

The analyst emphasises that the expansion does not mean all 128 Tour Card holders will automatically be guaranteed a place. Qualification will instead be determined by the Players Championship rankings.

“So this, everybody's saying this has been made for Luke Littler to go in. Luke Littler's still got to play. He's still got to play some events.”

Webster believes players will need to play slightly less to qualify following the expansion, while more competitors will have an opportunity to participate. “Obviously they're going to have to play a little bit less now. You don't need as much to get in, but not like it. It'll be good down there. It's a good atmosphere down there. It'll have that sort of feel. More players get an opportunity, but it can only be a good thing.”

The European Championship will also undergo a significant change. The field will expand from 32 to 48 players, and the tournament will be played across a full week. The total prize fund will also increase to £1 million.

Webster is particularly pleased that the European Tour is becoming increasingly important. “Yeah, obviously the European Tour has been thriving. I think there's an additional one in France. It's lengthening in that sense. It's lengthening the tournament. It can only be a good thing.”

He believes the decision to expand the field to 48 players makes sense, given that this is also the number of players who typically compete in a European Tour event. “I think 48 logically makes sense because that's what the Tour is. It's a 48-person tournament. I'd heard rumours it was happening. I'm glad it's happening.”

According to the Welshman, the changes will give the European Championship even greater stature. “It's a major anyway, but it's got those added days. It feels like a bigger major now. Like you said, the additional prize money, big for the players, should make them dedicate themselves to European Tour as well.”

Alongside the expansion of existing tournaments, the PDC will introduce the European Open in 2027. The new ranking event will be held in Salzburg and will follow a format similar to that of the UK Open.

This will also create opportunities for amateur players from continental Europe to compete against professionals.

Webster believes the new event could benefit players, although he recognises the demands of an increasingly crowded calendar. “Yeah, I think it'd be good for the players. I think we are cramming that calendar now.”

Nevertheless, he sees advantages in the new tournament, particularly for players who have fewer opportunities to compete in major events. “Again, this is more looking at players who miss out on stuff. They're going to definitely play if you've got a Tour Card. Then the qualifiers you have in the UK, they're going to be European-based qualifiers. I like it. I do like that sort of open format. It'll be interesting to see how that goes.”

The enormous increase in prize money across the PDC circuit was also discussed during the interview. Webster was told that players could need to earn around £120,000 over the relevant ranking period in the future to retain their Tour Card.

That figure would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago, according to the former world champion. “I really didn't know. I think it's brilliant, isn't it? You could be earning £110,000, £100,000. There's not enough. That's a great living nowadays, but it's not enough to keep you on Tour.”

Webster believes this demonstrates just how competitive professional darts has become. “But look, it's competitive. It's challenging. It's a great living for the players now. It can still be challenging at the bottom, but huge opportunities, win a game and you're kind of on the way then.”

Webster also reflected on the ambitions that former PDC chairman Barry Hearn had expressed over the years. “So look, that is a remarkable start. I mean, Barry said he'd always get there and you didn't sort of believe it, but we are there and it's good to see.”

With a hint of regret, Webster admitted that he sometimes wished he were still competing himself. “I think I'm a little bit bitter in the sense I'm not about playing anymore. I could still try and play, but look, I'm nowhere near good enough. But look, it's competitive and we'll see more stars come through for sure.”

It is not just the calendar that is changing. The World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace will also have a different look, moving into a larger hall that will accommodate approximately 2,000 additional spectators per session.

Webster is looking forward to the change. “It's incredible, isn't it? It's so popular, isn't it? It's ridiculous.”

The analyst regularly sees just how much interest there is in the tournament. “I mean, I live four hours away from Liverpool, London for the world, and I get people asking me for tickets up there. People just want to be a part of this event.”

According to Webster, the World Championship has become an essential part of the sporting calendar over the festive period. “It's huge, isn't it? It's the best part of December and early January. OK, there's loads of big football games on, but forget them. It's all about the Ally Pally.”

The increased capacity has done little to satisfy the enormous demand for tickets. "And then going into the big room, it's sold out in no time. I can't wait to see what it's like.”

Webster also expects changes to the television coverage, with a new studio planned. “I think we've got a new sort of studio where we're going to be, which is open plan, which will take in the atmosphere. It's going to be refreshing. It's going to be really good.”

He believes the additional supporters will create an even more impressive atmosphere. “The atmosphere there is brilliant anyway, but those additional 2,000 fans are going to add to that.”

Finally, Webster looked ahead to the remaining major tournaments of the season. Much of the attention centred on Luke Littler, who will not compete in the Players Championship Finals.

Webster expects Littler to be extremely difficult to beat at the Grand Slam of Darts if he rediscovers his best form and progresses beyond the group stage. “I do really think if Luke Littler gets back into form by the Grand Slam, as long as he doesn't go out with a group, that's hard to stop him.”

The Welshman believes Littler is particularly dangerous when matches are played over longer distances. “It's, I think it's 10 legs for one round, then 16. It's a real job to beat him, isn't it? And generally you'd think he's comfortable in that format.”

Nevertheless, Webster expects an interesting end to the season, particularly with Littler absent from the Players Championship Finals. “There'll be a lot of eyes on Luke Littler, but then when he's not in these events, Minehead, he's not going to be in, it's all open. The draw's all over the place anyway, because it's not on the world ranking, it's on the Players Championship Finals. So it'll just be a brilliant event to end the season before we go into the Worlds.”

Webster was also asked about Littler's decision to enter the World Youth Championship despite not attempting to qualify for the Players Championship Finals.

The Welshman believes it could reflect the young Englishman's current state of mind. “Yeah, do you know what? This is my opinion, I think his confidence is just a little bit dented at the minute. And I think he just wants to go and play and see if he can get himself through, play with his mates.”

Webster was unsure whether Littler would ultimately take part in the event. “And I'm not sure, he may not still play that event, but look, he's entered it, hasn't he? See what he wants. But yeah, I was thinking, he's got to go to Minehead anyway, but if he goes there and he gets something from it, it's his prerogative.”

The entry has sparked debate, with some questioning why a player of Littler's standing should still be able to compete in a youth tournament. Webster does not believe the criticism is justified. “It's caused a bit of a backlash, hasn't it? Why is he allowed to enter? But they're the rules, he's done nothing wrong.”

With several major tournaments being expanded, a new major being introduced and the World Championship growing in size, the PDC is preparing for another busy year. Webster himself also expects plenty of work as an analyst. “There'll be plenty for me to do next year now. So yeah, I look forward to that. And yeah, I'm looking forward to the sort of extended European Championship and that European Open. So it'll be a busy calendar for me as well.”