The 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship runs from Friday 11 December 2026 to the final on Sunday 3 January 2027 at Alexandra Palace in London. There are 128 players and a £5 million prize fund, with £1 million for the winner. Matches are played in sets, and longer matches make upsets less likely.
When is the World Darts Championship?
| Starts | Friday 11 December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Christmas break | 24 to 27 December |
| Final | Sunday 3 January 2027 |
| Venue | Alexandra Palace, London (the Great Hall) |
| Players | 128 |
| Prize fund | £5 million, £1 million to the winner |
The full session by session schedule comes out after the draw. Check the PDC's timetable for exact match times.
Sets format: first to three legs a set, final first to seven sets
Matches are played in sets. Each set is first to three legs, and the number of sets needed rises through the rounds, building up to the final. The final is first to seven sets.
World Darts Championship odds: why longer matches favour the favourite
In a short match, a weaker player can get lucky. Over more sets, luck evens out and the better player wins more often. This table shows the chance the better player wins the match, by how often they'd win a single set.
| Wins each set | First to 3 sets | First to 4 | First to 5 | First to 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52% | 53.7% | 54.4% | 54.9% | 55.8% |
| 55% | 59.3% | 60.8% | 62.1% | 64.4% |
| 60% | 68.3% | 71.0% | 73.3% | 77.1% |
| 65% | 76.5% | 80.0% | 82.8% | 87.1% |
That's why early round shocks are more common than shocks in the final. Allow for the shorter matches when backing outsiders in the first round.
Darts betting markets: how to bet on the World Darts Championship
Darts betting on the World Championship covers four main markets.
- Outright: back a player to win the tournament. Markets are open well before the start.
- Each way: the place part usually pays if your player reaches the final or semi-finals, at a fraction of the odds. Terms vary, so check them.
- Match betting: back a player to win a match, or on a sets handicap.
- Specials: most 180s, highest checkout, and a nine dart finish.
Also useful:Acca calculatorOdds converterDutching calculator
Questions people ask
When does the World Darts Championship 2026/27 start?
Friday 11 December 2026, at Alexandra Palace.
When is the World Darts Championship final?
Sunday 3 January 2027.
How much does the winner get?
£1 million, from a total prize fund of £5 million.
How many players are in the World Darts Championship?
128.
Are PDC World Championship odds available yet?
Yes. Outright markets are open well before the start. Each way terms vary between bookmakers, so check how many places pay.