Standard Daily Session Start Times
Doors Open: 11:30 GMT
Matches: Typically 4 matches (3x Round 1, 1x Round 2 in opening week).
Doors Open: 18:00 GMT
Matches: Typically 4 prime-time matches featuring seeded stars.
Tournament Phases & Round Progression
| Phase / Round | Dates | Match Format | Sessions |
|---|---|---|---|
| First & Second Rounds | 11 December – 23 December 2026 | Best of 5 Sets | 15 Sessions |
| Christmas Holiday Break | 24 December – 26 December 2026 | No Matches | Hiatus (No Play) |
| Third & Fourth Rounds | 27 December – 30 December 2026 | Best of 7 Sets | 8 Sessions |
| New Year's Eve Special Session | 31 December 2026 | Best of 7 Sets (Quarter-Final Prelude) | 1 Sessions |
| Quarter-Finals | 1 January 2027 | Best of 9 Sets | 2 Sessions |
| Semi-Finals | 2 January 2027 | Best of 11 Sets | 1 Sessions |
| World Championship Final | 3 January 2027 | Best of 13 Sets | 1 Sessions |
Key Tournament Milestones
Opening Night
The 2026/27 championship gets underway with reigning champion Luke Humphries and the opening round matches.
Christmas Hiatus
No matches played. Players and crew take a 3-day Christmas break before the Last 32 resume.
New Year's Eve
A single afternoon session of fourth-round action. The venue closes early ahead of London NYE celebrations.
The World Final
Best of 13 sets. Winner claims £1,000,000 and the Sid Waddell Trophy in front of a worldwide audience.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Schedule
What time do sessions start at the World Darts Championship?
Standard afternoon sessions commence at 12:30 GMT (doors open 11:30 GMT). Evening sessions begin at 19:00 GMT (doors open 18:00 GMT).
Is there darts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day?
No. The PDC World Darts Championship observes a scheduled 3-day Christmas hiatus from 24 to 26 December 2026. Play resumes with Round 3 on Sunday 27 December 2026.
When is the PDC World Darts Championship 2026/27 Final?
The World Championship Final takes place on Sunday 3 January 2027 during the evening session (play begins at 19:30 GMT), played as the Best of 13 Sets.