World Masters 2027: Dates, Milton Keynes Schedule, Format and Prize Money
The first televised Major of 2027 is in Milton Keynes from 27 to 31 January. Here is how the World Masters works, who qualifies and what happened in 2026.
The World Masters 2027 takes place from Wednesday 27 to Sunday 31 January 2027 in Milton Keynes. It is the first televised PDC Major of the year, starting less than four weeks after the World Darts Championship final, and it finishes just days before the Premier League begins.
On this page
- Dates: 27–31 January 2027
- Venue: Milton Keynes, England
- Players: 32 (based on the 2026 format)
- Format: Sets
- 2026 prize fund: £500,000 (£100,000 to the winner)
- Defending champion: Luke Littler
World Masters 2027 schedule
| Dates | Event | TV (UK) | Starts (your time) |
|---|---|---|---|
4Jan
4–10 Jan 2027
|
PDC Q-School 2027 Qualifiers & Youth Milton Keynes & Kalkar | TBC | Times TBC |
27Jan
27–31 Jan 2027
|
World Masters 2027 Major Milton Keynes | TBC (UK) | Times TBC |
4Feb
4 Feb 2027
|
Premier League 2027 — Night 1 Major OVO Hydro, Glasgow | Sky Sports | Times TBC |
Start times are converted automatically for every visitor. You are seeing: UK time
January is busy. Q-School runs from 4 to 10 January in Milton Keynes and Kalkar, the World Masters follows from 27 to 31 January, and the Premier League starts in Glasgow on 4 February. The session-by-session order of play is released after the draw, and we will add start times here, converted to your time zone.
How players qualify
In 2026, the field was 32 players: the top 24 on the PDC Order of Merit qualified automatically, and the remaining eight places went through preliminary qualifiers. Because the Order of Merit is updated after the World Championship, results at Alexandra Palace in December and January decide who goes straight into Milton Keynes. The PDC confirms the exact 2027 qualification rules closer to the event.
Format: the World Masters uses sets
Unlike most PDC TV events, which are played in legs, the World Masters uses sets, with each set best of three legs. In 2026 the rounds were:
| Round | Match length |
|---|---|
| First round | Best of 5 sets |
| Second round and quarter-finals | Best of 7 sets |
| Semi-finals | Best of 9 sets |
| Final | Best of 11 sets |
Short best-of-three-leg sets swing quickly, which makes the early rounds dangerous for the favourites.
Prize money
The 2026 World Masters paid £500,000 in total, with £100,000 to the champion. The 2027 prize fund has not been announced separately, so the 2026 figures are the best guide.
2026 final: Littler edges Humphries 6–5
Luke Littler won the 2026 World Masters by beating Luke Humphries 6–5 in a deciding set — his first Masters title. It was also the start of a remarkable 2026 for Littler, who went on to add the Premier League and World Matchplay among others.
Why it matters
As the first Major of the season, the World Masters sets the tone for a year that builds towards later Majors such as the Grand Slam of Darts.
How to watch
UK TV details for 2027 are confirmed closer to the event. See our darts on TV guide for the latest options in the UK and abroad.
For the rest of the year, see our darts schedule 2027, or the live darts schedule for everything coming up.
Source: PDC: 2027 World Masters ticket dates confirmed. For everything else coming up, see our live darts schedule.
World Masters 2027 FAQ
When is the World Masters 2027?
From 27 to 31 January 2027, in Milton Keynes.
Who won the World Masters in 2026?
Luke Littler, who beat Luke Humphries 6–5 in the final.
Is the World Masters played in sets or legs?
Sets, with each set best of three legs. In 2026 the final was best of 11 sets.
How many players are in the World Masters?
In 2026 there were 32: the top 24 on the PDC Order of Merit plus eight qualifiers.
How much does the World Masters winner get?
The 2026 champion received £100,000 from a £500,000 prize fund.
