PDC amends controversial rule change: Pro Tour Top 16 seeded on European Tour

The PDC has implemented a significant change to the European Tour regulations. The rule that seeded players in the first round based on the Main Order of Merit has been scrapped. Instead, the top 16 of the Pro Tour Order of Merit, who automatically qualify for a European Tour event, will now be seeded in the first round.

As previously communicated, seeding in the first round of a European Tour tournament was based on the Main Order of Merit. This meant that higher-ranked players, often the established names, were automatically protected from strong opponents in the opening round, even if they had qualified via the Pro Tour.

For players who deliver week in, week out on the floor events but sit lower in the world rankings, this regularly led to tough draws and early exits.

With the new rule, the PDC clearly opts to reward current form. The 16 players who qualify via the Pro Tour will now receive seeded status in the first round. As a result, they will be paired with unseeded opponents, rather than potentially facing a top player straight away. The Main Order of Merit therefore no longer plays a role in this specific part of the draw.

This adjustment will be particularly beneficial for so-called floor players: darters who may not be among the absolute elite, but perform very consistently on the Pro Tour. They will now more often have the opportunity to go deeper on stage, with corresponding prize money and ranking points.

With this rules change, the PDC again underscores its intent to place greater weight on Pro Tour performances. This not only makes the European Tour more compelling, but also offers better rewards for players who prove week after week that they can sustain the level.

The 2026 European Tour begins on 02/20/2026 with the Poland Darts Masters.