Understanding the PDC Order of Merit and Its Role in Professional Darts
Introduction
The PDC Order of Merit is the principal ranking system that underpins professional darts. Its rules determine seedings, qualification for major events and the allocation of Tour Cards, making it central to the careers of players and the structure of the sport. With live updates and year-end consequences, understanding the Order of Merit is essential for fans and players tracking progression through a competitive season.
Main body
History and format
The Order of Merit format has been in use since the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship, replacing the original PDC World Ranking system that dated back to 1993. The earlier system awarded points for performances across tournaments according to their relative prestige. The modern Order of Merit is based on prize money and forms the basis of the wider professional darts system.
Year-end calculation and Tour Cards
The PDC World Darts Championship serves as the final event of the season. After that event the year-end Order of Merit is calculated. Players who finish the year inside the top 64 are offered a PDC Tour Card for the following year, which grants access to the full professional circuit. This year-end cutoff makes late-season results, and in particular Championship performances, highly significant for players on the cusp of the top 64.
Ranking during the season and special cases
Players without Tour Cards may still appear in rankings if they earn prize money in ranking tournaments. A recent example is Luke Littler, who earned money at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship and was therefore eligible to be ranked during the season. However, there is a clear caveat: if such players fail to reach the top 64 at the end of the year, their ranking money is reset to £0, removing any temporary advantage gained during the season.
Live Order of Merit and reporting
The PDC Live Order of Merit provides up-to-date standings through the season. For example, the Live Order of Merit was updated after the World Masters and noted as of 1 February 2026; prize money in its published tables is presented in units of £1,000. These live updates allow followers to monitor movements between events and the immediate impact of tournament results.
Conclusion
The PDC Order of Merit remains the defining metric in professional darts, deciding Tour Cards, tournament entry and seedings. Its combination of year-end stability and live, event-driven change means every match can have tangible consequences. For players outside the top 64, strong performances can create opportunities during the season, but only sustained results secure long-term status. Fans should watch both the year-end table and Live Order updates to follow who will shape the next season of PDC darts.
