The 2026 world darts champion will receive a record-breaking £1m in prize money, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has announced.
This figure doubles the £500,000 that teenage sensation Luke Littler pocketed when he claimed his first world title at Alexandra Palace in January.
The announcement marks the biggest increase in prize money in the PDC's history, reflecting the sport's surging popularity.
Littler, now 18, will have the chance to defend his title with the significantly enhanced reward at stake.
Eddie Hearn has increased the prize money of the PDC World Championship
PA/Reuters
The tournament will also expand significantly, with 128 places available compared to the 96 competitors in the 2024-25 event.
The total prize fund will double to £5m, with the runner-up set to receive £400,000.
Each semi-finalist will be awarded £200,000.
This expansion comes as darts continues to experience unprecedented growth in global interest and viewership.
The changes will create more opportunities for players around the world to feature in televised PDC events.
It comes after PDC chairman Eddie Hearn had promised to increase prize money, saying in 2021: "I would love to make the World Championship a million pound first prize, that's the general crazy plan that we'll always talk about in board meetings."
PDC chief executive Matt Porter said: "The £1m prize for the world champion reflects darts' standing as one of the most exciting and in-demand sports in the world and the historic total will rightly attract headlines as the biggest prize ever paid out in the sport."
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He added: "Expanding the player fields for the World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts will provide more opportunities than ever before for players around the world to feature in televised PDC events."
The announcement comes amid a boom in the popularity of darts, driven by rising ticket sales and broadcast viewership.
The total prize money across all PDC events will increase by £7m to £25m.
The Premier League winner's prize will rise from £275,000 to £350,000, with the overall prize fund increasing from £1m to £1.25m next year.
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Luke Littler became the world's youngest darts champion when he beat Michael van Gerwen earlier this year at the age of 17
PABoth the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts will feature £1m prize pots, representing increases of 25 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.
The World Grand Prix, Players Championship Finals, European Championship and UK Open will all see their prize funds increased.
The World Cup of Darts and World Series of Darts will also benefit from the prize money boost.
Outside of the professional tour, the PDC has increased its funding for development pathways.
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Eddie Hearn had always wanted to increase the prize money available
PAThe Challenge Tour, Development Tour and Women's Series events will all receive additional investment.
A prize fund of £40,000 will be available for the Women's World Matchplay.
This broader investment strategy reflects the PDC's commitment to growing earning potential for players at all levels.
Earlier this month, global investment bank Houlihan Lokey released a report recommending investing in darts due to the sport's recent growth and increasing popularity with younger audiences.
