For darts fans, December is the most exciting time of the year, as the PDC World Championship begins on Dec. 11.
The 2025/26 edition of the tournament will feature some major changes compared to previous years, including a field of 128 players (32 more than last year) and a historic prize pot for players.
It's a massive opportunity for players to influence their positioning on the order of merit for the next year or two, as no tournament awards players anywhere close to the level that the World Championship does regarding prize money.
How much money is up for grabs at the 2026 PDC WC?
The total prize fund this year, which will be split among all 128 players, is a record-breaking £5,000,000.
This is double last year's mark, which was £2,500,000.
The winner of the tournament this year will take home £1,000,000, which is also double the amount that the winner took home last year.
MORE: 2026 PDC Darts World Championship: Draw, schedule, format and prize money
Prize money per round
Here is how much each player will take home depending on how far into the tournament a player advances:
| Finish | £ | # of players | £ compared to 2024/25 WC |
| First round | £15,000 | 64 | +£7,500 |
| Second round | £25,000 | 32 | +£10,000 |
| Third round | £35,000 | 16 | +£10,000 |
| Fourth round | £60,000 | 8 | +£25,000 |
| Quarterfinalist | £100,000 | 4 | +£50,000 |
| Semifinalst | £200,000 | 2 | +£100,000 |
| Runner-up | £400,000 | 1 | +£200,000 |
| Winner | £1,000,000 | 1 | +£500,000 |
Do players earn extra prize money for nine-darters?
Yes, players do earn extra money if they hit a nine-darter, but it won't count towards the order of merit.
The same format as last year will apply, with Paddy Power awarding any player who hits a nine-darter £60,000, as well as donating the same amount to a random fan in attendance and to Prostate Cancer UK.
Last year, two players hit a nine-darter at the event.
Christian Kist struck perfection against Madars Razma in a first-round matchup and Damon Heta hit one as well, in a second-round contest against Luke Woodhouse. Both players did go on to lose the games in which they hit nine-darters.
Typically, bigger names hit nine-darters, but like Christian Kist did last year, we do see surprise nine-darters that can come out of nowhere. That can be career-changing money for a player who might barely have a tour card or for someone who has another job aside from being a professional darts player.
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- PDC World Championship to be streamed on Peacock
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