UK Open 2026: FAQ
6–8 March 2026 · Butlin's Minehead Resort, Minehead
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. That 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. The tournament's record winner is Phil Taylor with five titles.