Barry Hearn has hinted that the World Series of Darts could be set for a format change, with lower-ranked players potentially getting the chance to experience the tour. Speaking after the recent double header in Australia and New Zealand, the PDC chairman acknowledged that the series is 'not broken' but stressed the need to stay 'one step ahead' in a rapidly growing sport.
Hearn revealed that the ongoing Middle East conflict could impact future events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with the PDC needing to remain flexible. 'They work on a yearly basis, so you never say... Bahrain would probably do a 10-year deal because they’re really invested in it. But Saudi Arabia are saying, No, we want this,' he told Online Darts. 'We can’t underestimate the problems of this Middle East conflict. That’s what I mean, yeah, which could affect anything. But all we can do is make sure that we’re there, ready to play, ready to earn.'
With dates at a premium, Hearn confirmed that Hong Kong is a possible venue for a 2027 event, but stressed that the PDC must prioritise existing contracts. He also compared the situation to golf, noting that top stars like Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Luke Humphries command serious investment. 'If you go back to the golf comparison, you want Tiger in your event, well, you’ve got to come to the table with something serious,' he said. 'This is not as it might have been 10 years ago: A little cheapy. Oh, we’ll get some darts players. That’ll be fun. No, this is a proper business.'
Hearn also highlighted North America as a massive untapped market, alongside China and Southeast Asia, but admitted that the PDC must be selective. 'We don’t go anywhere anymore where we used to say, We’ll go there for free, because it’ll be good to spread the game,' he explained. 'The game is spreading with or without us. It’s going crazy all around the world. So we have to set the bar at a certain level.'
On the potential format change, Hearn confirmed that discussions are ongoing. 'World Series, I think we’re probably looking at saying we have an opportunity now to perhaps take some lower-ranked players and give them the experience of a World Series tour,' he said. 'That’s an investment in their future: knowing how to handle the media, the different crowds, learning how to entertain. At the same time, the big players are essential because they’re the ones the crowd want to see.' He specifically named Josh Rock and Wessel Nijman as young talents who need big-stage experience, adding: 'They need experience on that big stage to see if they’re good enough to go to the next level.'
