How Does the PDC Work?

If you’ve started following darts, especially professional darts on TV, you’ll have heard commentators talk about ‘Tour Cards,’ ‘the Order of Merit’ and the ‘Euro Tour.’ But what does it all actually mean? Here’s a clear breakdown of how the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) works, from how players qualify through to the biggest stage in the world.

What Is a Tour Card?

At the heart of the PDC system is the Tour Card. Think of it as a player’s license to compete on the professional circuit. A Tour Card lasts for two years and gives players entry into most of the main PDC events, including ProTour floor events and European Tour tournaments.

Without a Tour Card, players can’t play in the range of professional events.

Routes to a Tour Card

There are a few main ways players can secure a coveted Tour Card:

  • Q-School – The most common route. Players compete in January across multiple days of play. Winners and top performers on the Q-School Order of Merit earn cards.
  • Challenge Tour Order of Merit – For players without a Tour Card, success on the Challenge Tour can be rewarded with a card for the following season.
  • Development Tour Order of Merit – Similar, but specifically for younger players (usually up to 24 years old). The best performers can progress straight into the professional ranks.

PDC Order of Merit (OOM)

The PDC Order of Merit is a ranking system based on prize money won over a rolling two-year period. It’s the backbone of the PDC structure:

  • Determines seeding for tournaments.
  • Decides who qualifies for majors.
  • Plays a huge role in who keeps their Tour Card at the end of the season.

In short: the more you win, the higher you climb. Win the most, and you’ll become the World Number 1.

Majors vs Floor Events

Not all PDC tournaments are created equal.

  • Majors – Televised, high-profile events like the World Championship, UK Open & World Matchplay. These are the ones with big prize money and global exposure. Played in front of 1,000s of fans.
  • Floor Events – These are behind closed doors tournaments played without a live crowd, often in venues like leisure centres. They don’t grab headlines but are vital for rankings and practice.

The European Tour

The Euro Tour is a series of events played across continental Europe. They’re slightly bigger than regular floor events, usually in front of smaller, lively crowds and they offer crucial ranking points. Many players use them as a springboard into the higher levels of the game.

World Championship Qualification

The PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace (London) is the biggest event in darts. To qualify, players can:

  • Earn their spot through the PDC Order of Merit.
  • Qualify via international and regional tours.
  • Win specific qualifying events.

From 2025, the format has been expanded to include even more players, making the ‘Worlds’ more inclusive and competitive than ever.

The World Championship

The World Championship is the jewel in the crown of darts:

  • Played every December through to January at the ‘Ally Pally’.
  • Known as the biggest stage in darts.
  • Acts as the season finale, crowning the world champion and setting the tone for the next year.

It’s not just another tournament, it’s the dream every darts player is chasing.

How to Keep Your Tour Card

Winning a Tour Card is one thing, keeping it is another. To stay on the circuit, players must stay high enough on the PDC Order of Merit across their two-year card. Those who fall short lose their card and often have to return to Q-School to try again.

This constant churn keeps the PDC competitive, with new talent pushing through every year.

Final Thoughts

The PDC may sound complicated at first, but it all boils down to this: win matches, earn prize money, climb the rankings and you’ll rise through the system. Whether you’re following a young talent at Q-School or watching legends fight it out at Ally Pally, the PDC provides a clear journey from hopeful amateur to world champion.