The Professional Darts Corporation has unveiled several rule changes ahead of the World Championship final between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen
The World Darts Championship final kicks off on Saturday night, with Luke Littler squaring off against Gian van Veen. Littler is gunning for his second consecutive title after making history as the youngest ever winner in last year’s tournament.
The Warrington-born ace now has the opportunity to join darts legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen by securing another World title.
However, just before the final, the Professional Darts Corporation ( PDC ) unveiled a series of rule changes. These rules pertain to the upcoming season and were officially implemented on December 31, 2025.
The PDC explains that these rules are reviewed throughout the season by both the PDC and the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA).
Players can also bring up issues for the PDC to review. The final say on all PDC Rules rests with the PDC Board of Directors. Let’s delve into all the proposed changes, according to the PDPA website.
READ MORE: World Darts Championship: Why do players start on 501 and not 500?READ MORE: Gian van Veen’s own prediction comes true as he sets up thrilling Luke Littler final
Affiliate Membership: Women’s Series players have now been added to Development Tour players.
Women’s World Matchplay: Ranked eligible players will be included ahead of the Women’s Series Rankings.
World Cup: Qualifying criteria have been clarified for countries without two world-ranked players.
Affiliate Events or other PDC sanctioned qualifying tournaments: Restrictions on Tour Card holders have been lifted.
Affiliate Tours: These have been aligned with DT/WS, with eligibility to participate based solely on being outside the Top 64 in the World Ranking at the close of entry.
European Tour: The draw procedure has been altered so that reserves are now placed in the lowest grouping.
Grand Slam: The number of players has been increased to 48, with criteria to be announced.
World Championship: Agreed precedence for qualification and draw procedures for the 2025/2026 event have been included.
UK and European Qualifying School:
- Each First Stage play to 16 qualifiers each day.
- Each Final Stage plays to two winners each day.
- Final Stage winners will be replaced by the next in line from the First Stage tables such that there are 128 players each day allowing points to be awarded for wins in the last 128.
- Players losing their Tour Cards may choose to take Challenge Tour Only status rather than compete at Q School.
- 8 highest eligible players from each Affiliate Tour earn free entry with the highest exempted to Final Stage.
Challenge Tour/Development Tour/World Youth Championship/Women’s Series:
- DT/WS Entry Fees increase to £30 per event, CT Entry Fees to £60 per event.
- DT and CT free and exempt places for 2027 QS increased to the 16 highest eligible players in each.
- World Youth Finalists qualify for the 2026 Grand Slam to align with the year that they reached the final.
