North American darts circuit receives major boost: $400,000 in prize money in 2027

Professional darts in North America is set for a major financial boost in 2027. The Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) has announced that a total of $400,000 in prize money will be available next season. The CDC Main Tour will also expand from 16 to 20 events. Through this investment, the CDC and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) aim to further grow the sport in the United States and Canada.

The increase in prize money is substantial. Players will receive an additional $125,000 next year compared with 2026. The money will be shared across the CDC Main Tour, the Cross Border Darts Challenge, the North American Darts Championship and the Continental Cup.

Main Tour players stand to benefit most from the expansion. The number of events will rise from 16 to 20, while prize money at each event will increase to $15,000. The leading championships on the North American calendar will also offer larger prize funds. Both the Cross Border Darts Challenge and the Continental Cup will award $30,000 in 2027.

The North American Darts Championship will offer a prize fund of $40,000. The event is held each year during the World Series of Darts’ visit to New York.

Peter Citera, chief executive of the Championship Darts Corporation, sees the expansion as an important step in developing professional darts in North America. “2027 will be another breakthrough year for the game of darts in North America for both players and fans,” Citera said.

The CDC is working closely with the PDC on the expansion. Citera says the plans go beyond increasing prize money. “Together with our partners at the Professional Darts Corporation, we’re investing an additional $125,000 in payout money to continue the game’s logarithmic growth on this continent."

The CDC is also making further investments behind the scenes. “We’ll also make significant additional investments behind-the-scenes to ensure that our broadcasts and spectator events continue to set the standard on the continent."

PDC chief executive Matthew Porter is also enthusiastic about the plans. He believes North America has an important role to play in the international development of darts.

“Professional darts globally is enjoying a surge in interest and North America is at the forefront of this as one of our key partners as a global affiliate tour,” Porter said.

The PDC hopes that bigger prize funds and an expanded schedule will help develop a new generation of top players. “This announcement is a significant step as we work together to raise standards on the continent, grow the sport and look to produce future stars for the sport’s biggest events."

Porter also pointed to the positive developments in 2026. Both the US Darts Masters and the Cross Border Darts Challenge were played in front of sell-out crowds, while participation at CDC events also increased. “With the boosted prize funds for all CDC events next year, alongside the growth of the CDC Main Tour, we are building from a highly encouraging 2026 season in North America, which has included sell-out crowds for the US Darts Masters and Cross-Border Darts Challenge and increased participation across the CDC circuit,” Porter said.

The CDC will launch its new season in Indianapolis from 26 to 28 March 2027. An official Main Tour weekend will be held at PopCon for the first time. The event celebrates popular culture and entertainment.

The partnership is not entirely new. The CDC has attended PopCon for the past three years, offering interactive darts activities. These gave visitors the chance to discover the sport.

In 2027, the partnership will expand, giving visitors their first opportunity to watch North America’s best players compete in official matches.

"PopCon is where every fan finds their place, and darts fans have become an integral part of our community,” said Carl Doninger, Co-owner of PopCon. “Over the past three years, we’ve loved welcoming longtime darts enthusiasts and introducing the sport to fans who might never have picked up a dart before. Now, we’re excited to take that experience to the next level by bringing a professional CDC competition to PopCon. We can't wait for our attendees to experience the energy and excitement of watching North America's best players compete live!”

The 2027 CDC season will conclude with the Continental Cup, held from 19 to 21 November. The event will see the best players from the CDC season compete against one another.

The Continental Cup’s prize fund will rise to $30,000, increasing the stakes at the season-ending championship.

With 20 Main Tour events, bigger prize funds and new partnerships, the CDC aims to further strengthen the position of professional darts in North America.