ADC Global Championship 2026 Set for Massive 128-Player Expansion

The Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) is set to enter a bold new era in 2026, with its flagship event undergoing a major transformation as the ADC Global Championship expands to 128 players and adopts a straight knockout format for the very first time.

Taking place from November 1–8, the expanded tournament will deliver a full week of high-stakes action, as players from across the world battle it out on one of the most exciting stages in amateur darts.

The event will once again be held at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth — a purpose-built venue designed specifically for darts. Every dart will be broadcast live on Pluto TV, while a live audience throughout the week will help create an intense, intimate atmosphere where fans can experience every moment up close.

This year’s edition marks a significant evolution for the Global Championship. Moving away from the previous 56-player round-robin format, the switch to a straight knockout structure introduces immediate jeopardy and clarity from the very first match.

Every game will matter. Every session will carry weight. And every player will know that one win can change everything.

At the heart of this expansion lies opportunity.

By increasing the field from 56 to 128 players, the ADC is opening the door for an additional 72 competitors to perform on the global stage. The move not only increases accessibility across the circuit but also ensures greater regional representation and a broader range of stories throughout the week.

To support this growth, the qualification system has also been enhanced.

New pathways for 2026 include additional places for Regional Ranking Number Ones, alongside extra qualification spots determined by combined VAULT points across Series 14 to 18. The top two players from each region in that combined table will secure their place at the championship.

These routes are designed to reward consistency, commitment and sustained performance across the ADC structure, while strengthening the pathway from grassroots competition to the sport’s biggest amateur stage.

The international dimension of the tournament has also been significantly bolstered.

For the first time, qualifiers from Africa, Canada and Australia will join players from across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. This expanded global representation reinforces the tournament’s identity and underlines its growing reputation as a truly worldwide championship.

With talent drawn from multiple continents, the ADC Global Championship is rapidly evolving into a genuine global showcase for the amateur game.

The 2026 edition will also introduce 16 live sessions across the week, with double sessions scheduled each day. Combined with a consistent live audience inside the MODUS Live Lounge, the structure promises a major-event feel from start to finish, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.

ADC Global Championship 2026 Set for Massive 128-Player Expansion

ADC spokesperson Scott Hunt highlighted the significance of the changes:

“ADC Global Championship 2026 is a huge step forward for us and for the wider amateur game. Expanding from 56 to 128 players is about creating more opportunity, opening more doors, and giving more players the chance to compete on a true global stage.

“The move to a straight knockout format over one full week of action will bring real intensity and excitement from the very first dart, while the addition of qualifiers from Africa, Canada and Australia shows how far this event is reaching.

“This is about building something bigger, more inclusive and more meaningful for players across the ADC pathway.”

Across eight days of action, the ADC Global Championship 2026 promises drama, pressure and opportunity on an unprecedented scale.

This is more than just a format change — it represents a major expansion of the ADC pathway, a wider opening of the door for aspiring players, and another significant step forward in the growth of the global amateur game.

With a total prize fund of £126,000 and a truly international field, the stage is set for the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.