The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) uses its own Order of Merit to measure and calculate world rankings. These rankings are determined by the amount of prize money a player has won from ranking tournaments over a two-year period. The player who has earned the most money during that time is ranked number one in the world.
The PDC’s eight major tournaments each award at least £100,000 to the winner, but the World Darts Championship is by far the most lucrative. The winner is set to pocket £1 million in 2026, which is double the amount given to teenager Luke Littler for winning the tournament in 2025.
Currently, Luke Humphries holds the number one spot in the world after lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2024. Strong performances at major tournaments have a significant impact on rankings. For example, Belgian player Mike De Decker won £120,000 from the 2024 World Grand Prix and entered the 2025 tournament ranked 20th in the world.
Qualification for many major tournaments depends largely on world rankings. For the PDC World Darts Championship, the top 40 players automatically qualify. The top 24 earn a place in the World Masters, while a top 16 ranking is needed for automatic qualification to the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, and all European Tour events. Additionally, rankings on the Pro Tour, Challenge Tour, Development Tour, and Women’s Series are used to decide extra qualification places at some tournaments.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler first gained a place on the Order of Merit after his impressive debut at the 2024 PDC World Championships. This week, Littler is poised to become the world number one. The Warrington-born star will move to the top of the PDC Order of Merit at this week’s Grand Slam of Darts, unless Humphries wins the competition.
This shift in ranking is due to the fact that Humphries won the Grand Slam two years ago and will lose £120,000 from the prize money he earned at the 2023 edition. As Littler did not participate in that tournament, he is only adding to his prize money this year. If Littler reaches the final and faces Humphries, the teenager will also claim the top spot in the world rankings.
Thanks to Nigel in Surrey for the question. This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.
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