UK Open 2026

6–8 March 2026 · Butlin's Minehead Resort, Minehead

The 2026 UK Open took place from 6 to 8 March 2026 at Butlin's Resort in Minehead and was the 24th edition of the PDC major known as the “FA Cup of Darts”. Luke Littler defended his title with an 11-7 win over James Wade in the final.

The 2026 UK Open – staged as the Ladbrokes UK Open for sponsorship reasons – was the 24th edition of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournament since its debut in 2003. It was played from 6 to 8 March 2026 at Butlin's Resort in Minehead, England, the venue for the event since 2014 (with the exception of the 2021 edition at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes). Total prize money rose from £600,000 in 2025 to £750,000, with the winner receiving £120,000. The field comprised 157 players: 126 PDC Tour Card holders, 15 players from the 2025 PDC Development Tour and PDC Challenge Tour rankings, and 16 amateur qualifiers. All participants were unseeded, players entered at staggered stages according to the PDC Order of Merit, and every round was drawn at random – a principle that has earned the tournament the nickname “FA Cup of Darts”, because top players can meet early at any time and amateurs get a genuine chance on the big stage. Viktor Tingström and Danny van Trijp withdrew for personal reasons, Matthias Ehlers because of injury. Defending champion Luke Littler, who had beaten James Wade 11-2 in the 2025 final, came through against Wade again in a repeat of that final, this time 11-7. Littler thus became the fourth player after Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen to defend the title successfully, and the first since van Gerwen in 2016. Phil Taylor remains the event's record winner with five titles. The sporting highlight on the side boards came from Danny Noppert, who threw a nine-darter in his fourth-round match against Dimitri Van den Bergh. The highest checkout of the tournament was 170, achieved by Joe Cullen, Kai Gotthardt, Luke Littler, Connor Scutt and Peter Wright. The tournament was broadcast in the UK on ITV4 and ITVX and in Germany on DAZN and Sport1; the matches on the side stages were shown on the PDC streaming service PDCTV, among others.

At a glance

  • Edition: 24th edition of the UK Open
  • Organiser: Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)
  • Sponsor: Ladbrokes (2026 Ladbrokes UK Open)
  • Venue: Butlin's Resort, Minehead, England
  • Total prize money: £750,000 (2025: £600,000)
  • Winner: Luke Littler – 11:7 in the final against James Wade
  • Nine-darter: Danny Noppert in round 4 against Dimitri Van den Bergh
  • Highest checkout: 170 – Joe Cullen, Kai Gotthardt, Luke Littler, Connor Scutt, Peter Wright
  • Highest average: 107.42 points by Gary Anderson
  • 180s in the tournament: 896 180s thrown
  • Nickname: “FA Cup of Darts” thanks to the open draw in every round
  • Withdrawals: Viktor Tingström and Danny van Trijp (personal reasons), Matthias Ehlers (injury)
  • Ranking cut-off date: PDC Order of Merit of 26 February 2026

Related rankings

FAQ

When and where did the UK Open 2026 take place?

The UK Open 2026 were held from 6 to 8 March 2026 at Butlin's Resort in Minehead, England. It was the 24th edition of the PDC major, which has been held in Minehead since 2014 (with the exception of 2021).

Who won the UK Open darts 2026?

Luke Littler won the UK Open 2026 with an 11-7 win over James Wade in the final, defending his title from the previous year, when he had beaten Wade 11-2. After Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, Littler is only the fourth player to successfully defend the title.

How much prize money was there at the Ladbrokes UK Open 2026?

The UK Open's total prize money was £750,000, up £150,000 on 2025 (£600,000). The winner received £120,000 and the runner-up £60,000; payouts started from the last 128 (£1,250).

What format is the FA Cup of Darts played in?

There are no seedings at the UK Open: every round is drawn again at random as soon as all participants are known. Rounds 1 to 3 are played over best of 11 legs, round 4 up to the quarter-finals over best of 19 legs, and the semi-finals and final over best of 21 legs.

How do you qualify for the UK Open darts?

In 2026, 157 players took part in the UK Open: 126 PDC Tour Card holders with staggered entry based on the PDC Order of Merit of 26 February 2026, the eight best not yet qualified players from each of the 2025 Challenge Tour and Development Tour, plus 16 amateur qualifiers. For the first time, eight of the amateur places were awarded through the Rileys Qualifiers and eight through local PDC Community Qualifiers.

Where were the UK Open 2026 shown on TV and stream?

In the UK, the UK Open were shown on ITV4 and ITVX, in Germany on DAZN and Sport1. Matches on the side boards could be watched on the PDC streaming service PDCTV; other rights holders included Viaplay (Netherlands/Northern Europe) and VTM (Belgium).

Was there a nine-darter at the UK Open darts 2026?

Yes, Danny Noppert hit a nine-darter in the final leg of his fourth-round match against Dimitri Van den Bergh (10-4). It was the 16th nine-darter in UK Open history and the first since 2022.

Why are the UK Open called the FA Cup of Darts?

Because there are no seedings and every round is drawn completely at random. This means top players can meet each other early on, and amateur qualifiers get the chance to prove themselves against the world's best on the big stage.

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