The PDC will split the Challenge Tour and Development Tour for 2021.

In order to reduce travel due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there will be two separate Tours set up in the UK and Europe.

Both UK and Europe will have their own Challenge and Development Tours, with 12 events taking place.

David Evans won last year’s Challenge Tour to get a PDC Tour Card. Credit: PDC

How will the Challenge Tour work?

Much like Q-School, the PDC will split the Challenge Tour into two regions. There will be a separate Order of Merit for the UK and Europe Tours.

There will be 12 events happening across two weekends, with six events per weekend.

Whichever Q-School a player entered, will be the Challenge Tour region they play in.

The winners of each of the Challenge Tours will earn a:

  • PDC Tour Card for 2022
  • place at the 2021/22 World Darts Championship

Last year, David Evans and Ritchie Edhouse came through as the Order of Merit winner to earn their Tour Cards.

UK Challenge Tour Dates

Friday 6 August – Sunday 8 August – Milton Keynes (Events 1-6)

Friday 3 September – Sunday 5 September – Milton Keynes (Events 7-12)

Europe Challenge Tour Dates

Friday 2 July – Sunday 4 July – Niederhausen, Germany (Events 1-6)

Friday 3 September – Sunday 5 September – Niederhausen, Germany (Events 7-12)

How will the Development Tour work?

Similar to the Challenge Tour, the Development Tour will be split into two regions. There will also be a separate Order of Merit for the UK and Europe Tours.

There will be 12 events happening across two weekends, with six events per weekend.

The winners of each of the Development Tours will earn a:

  • PDC Tour Card for 2022
  • place at the 2021/22 World Darts Championship

Last year, Keane Barry earned his Tour Card.

Players can compete on the Development Tour from the day they turn 16, with an upper age limit of being 23 or under on January 4 2021.

Players who are ranked in the top 32 of the PDC Order of Merit on the cut-off date of an event can not play in Development Tour events.

Development Tour players from outside of the UK or Europe will have the choice of which venue to compete at in 2021.

Details are yet to be released around the PDC World Youth Championship 2021.

UK Development Tour Dates

Friday 20 August – Sunday 22 August – Milton Keynes (Events 1-6)

Friday 29 October – Sunday 31 October – Barnsley (Events 7-12)

European Development Tour Dates

Friday 20 August – Sunday 22 August – Niederhausen, Germany (Events 1-6)

Friday 5 November – Sunday 7 November – Niederhausen, Germany (Events 7-12)