What Is 2017 World Series of Darts

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 World Series of Darts was a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournament series featuring 6 global events from May to November 2017, culminating in the World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow on November 3–5, won by Michael Smith.

Key Facts

The 2017 World Series included 6 events across 5 countries
Events began in May 2017 in Dubai and ended in November in Glasgow
Michael Smith won the 2017 World Series Finals
Each event featured 8 top PDC players and 8 regional qualifiers
Prize pool for the Finals was $250,000 with $100,000 to the winner

Overview

The 2017 World Series of Darts was a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) initiative designed to expand darts' global reach through international tournaments. It brought elite players to major cities outside the UK, promoting the sport in new markets with televised events and regional qualifiers.

The series featured a total of 6 events across 5 countries, showcasing a blend of top-ranked PDC players and local talent. It concluded with the World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow, where Michael Smith claimed victory in a high-stakes final against Peter Wright.

Five global locations: Events were held in Dubai, Japan, Germany, the USA, and Australia, with the Finals in Scotland, reflecting the PDC’s international expansion strategy.
Dubai Masters first: The series kicked off on May 26–27, 2017, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, marking the first time a major PDC event was hosted in the Middle East.
Japan Darts Masters: Held on June 23–24 in Tokyo, this event helped grow darts’ popularity in Asia and featured Japanese qualifier Seigo Asada.
German Darts Masters: Took place on July 8–9 in Hildesheim, drawing strong European attendance and featuring a final between Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
North American expansion: The US Darts Masters in Las Vegas (June 2–3) and the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, Ontario (June 16–18) highlighted growing North American interest.

How It Works

The 2017 World Series of Darts followed a structured format combining global events with a season-ending Finals, integrating ranking points and prize money to incentivize performance.

Player Selection: Each event included the top 8 PDC Order of Merit players and 8 regional qualifiers, ensuring competitive balance and local representation across all tournaments.
Event Format: Tournaments used a single-elimination bracket over two days, with best-of-11 legs in early rounds and best-of-19 in finals, ensuring fast-paced, high-pressure matches.
Scoring System: Matches followed standard 501 double-out rules, with players required to reduce their score to exactly zero and finish on a double segment.
Prize Structure: The Finals offered $250,000 in prize money, with $100,000 to the winner and decreasing amounts down to quarterfinalists, aligning with PDC’s global pay standards.
Ranking Points: Players earned ProTour ranking points based on performance, influencing qualification for future majors like the PDC World Championship.
Global Qualifiers: Regional spots were filled through national qualifying events in Japan, the USA, Australia, and the Middle East, giving local talent a platform to compete internationally.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2017 World Series events highlights variations in location, prize money, and player participation.

Event	Location	Dates	Winner	Prize (Winner)
Dubai Masters	Dubai, UAE	May 26–27	Michael van Gerwen	$25,000
Japan Darts Masters	Tokyo, Japan	June 23–24	Michael van Gerwen	$25,000
US Darts Masters	Las Vegas, USA	June 2–3	Michael van Gerwen	$25,000
German Darts Masters	Hildesheim, Germany	July 8–9	Michael van Gerwen	$25,000
Australian Darts Masters	Wollongong, Australia	August 11–12	Phil Taylor	$25,000
World Series Finals	Glasgow, Scotland	Nov 3–5	Michael Smith	$100,000

While all events featured top-tier competition, the Finals offered the largest purse and the most ranking points. Michael van Gerwen dominated the early events, winning four of the six, but was dethroned in the Finals by Michael Smith, who secured his first major PDC title of the year.

Why It Matters

The 2017 World Series of Darts significantly advanced darts as a global sport, breaking regional barriers and increasing international viewership.

Global Growth: Events in Dubai, Japan, and Australia expanded the PDC’s footprint, attracting new fans and potential players from underrepresented regions.
Player Exposure: Regional qualifiers gave local talents like Seigo Asada the chance to compete against world-class players, boosting national interest in darts.
Commercial Success: High-profile venues and sponsorships, such as the Dubai Duty Free and Las Vegas Sphere, demonstrated darts’ marketability outside traditional markets.
Media Coverage: Sky Sports and Fox Sports broadcast events globally, increasing live viewership by 18% compared to 2016 regional tournaments.
Pathway to Pro: Strong performances in the Series improved players’ ProTour rankings, aiding qualification for the PDC World Darts Championship.
Legacy Impact: The success of the 2017 series led to annual expansion, with more events added in 2018 and 2019, cementing its place in the PDC calendar.

The 2017 World Series of Darts was a turning point in darts history, proving that the sport could thrive internationally with the right format and exposure. It set the stage for future global expansion and remains a benchmark for international darts events.