PDC announces all international qualifiers for the 2027 World Darts Championship: Africa gets two guaranteed spots for the first time

The international qualification structure for the 2027 World Darts Championship has been officially announced. The standout news is that, for the first time in history, two guaranteed spots will be awarded to players from Africa.

The World Championship will feature a field of no fewer than 128 players competing at Alexandra Palace for the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy. The tournament carries a total prize fund of £5 million.

The top forty players on the main PDC Order of Merit qualify directly for the biggest tournament of the year. In addition, the top forty highest-ranked, not-yet-qualified players from the ProTour Order of Merit will also book their place. The remaining 48 spots will be filled via international qualifiers.

Those international berths cover players from the secondary circuits and the PDC’s global partner organisations. Historic is the addition of two guaranteed places for Africa, a development that follows the much-discussed appearance of Kenyan David Munyua at Alexandra Palace last December.

The two African places will be allocated via the African Darts Group. A qualifier in North Africa and one in Southern Africa will each deliver a World Championship participant.

Asia also has multiple places available. Five spots go to the highest-ranked players on the PDC Asian Tour. In addition, the two finalists at the Asian Championship receive a berth. The PDC China champion and the winners of qualifiers in India and Japan also secure participation.

On the Championship Darts Corporation circuit – active in North America – five places are on offer. In the Nordic & Baltic region, three spots will be awarded.

As in previous editions, four women are guaranteed a place at the World Darts Championship. The winner of the Women's World Matchplay qualifies directly, as do the top three on the Women's Series Order of Merit.

Youth also gets its chance. The top three from both the Development Tour and the Challenge Order of Merit qualify for the Worlds. The reigning PDC World Youth Champion is likewise invited to compete in London. In addition, at least two players will earn their spot via the Tour Card Holder Qualifier.