- The PDC have announced significant increases in prize money starting next year
- Luke Littler will take home a £1m prize pot if he can retain his world title in 2026
Luke Littler will walk away with an unprecedented seven-figure prize fund if he is able to retain his world championship in January.
On Monday the PDC announced a significant increase to the prize money on offer for darts’ most prestigious competition, with the winner of the Sid Waddell trophy set to take home £1million in 2026.
The total prize money offered across all PDC events will rise by £7m to £25m, with this winter’s PDC World Championship also set to be revamped.
Littler won £500,000 when became the youngest-ever world champion after defeating Michael van Gerwen in January but he will now need to reign supreme over an even bigger field if he is to retain his title.
For the first time ever, 128 players will enter the tournament, with a total of £5m in prize money set to be up for grabs at the Alexandra Palace.
The news comes after the PDC signed a bumper new TV rights deal with Sky Sports said to be worth £125million over the course of five years as the sport continues to enjoy a boom in popularity.
Luke Littler will take home £1m in prize money if he is able to retain his world title in January
The PDC announced that for the first time 128 players will compete to win the Sid Waddell trophy
Prize funds are also set to be increased in the Premier League, with next year’s winner taking home £725,000
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), PDC chief Eddie Hearn revealed that prize money will be increased at all levels of the sport.
He wrote: ‘We are proud to announce this HUGE news..@OfficialPDC will increase the prize money by £7m+ to £25m next year.
‘The World Champion winner will now receive £1 million & the event will expand to £5m prize money and 128 players.
‘Prize funds will be increased across all levels within the PDC with unprecedented investment as the sport continues to rise into a true global powerhouse.’
In addition to the world championship, the Premier League will also receive an increase in funding, with next year’s winner taking home £725,000, nearly three times the amount on offer in the current season.
Meanwhile the Grand Slam of Darts in November will be expanded from 32 players to 48 to mark the 20th edition of the tournament with the winner receiving £200,000.
