What Is 2015 World Series of Darts

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 World Series of Darts was a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournament series that ran from February to November 2015, featuring six global events across five countries and culminating in a finals event in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 28, 2015.

Key Facts

The 2015 World Series of Darts began on February 27 in Dubai, UAE
Six events were held across five countries: UAE, Japan, USA, South Africa, Germany, and Scotland
Phil Taylor won the 2015 World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow
Each event awarded $25,000 to the winner
The series featured top PDC players and local qualifiers from host nations

Overview

The 2015 World Series of Darts was a groundbreaking expansion of the Professional Darts Corporation’s global outreach, designed to bring elite darts competition to international markets. It marked the inaugural season of the PDC's multi-event global tour, featuring top-ranked players competing alongside regional qualifiers.

This series aimed to grow darts as a worldwide sport by hosting events in non-traditional markets and increasing exposure through televised matches. The structure combined standalone tournaments with a season-long points race leading to a grand finale.

Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters: Held on February 27–28 in Dubai, UAE, this invitational event kicked off the series and featured the top eight PDC players.
Japan Darts Masters: Took place on August 21 in Tokyo, marking the first professional darts event of its kind in Japan, drawing strong local interest.
US Darts Masters: Hosted on August 28 in New York City, this event highlighted American darts talent through a local qualifier format.
South African Masters: Occurred on September 4 in Johannesburg, showcasing African representation and expanding the sport’s footprint on the continent.
German Darts Masters: Held on September 11 in Frankfurt, this event attracted a large European audience and strong player turnout.

How It Works

The 2015 World Series of Darts combined fixed-location events with a cumulative ranking system to determine finalists. Each tournament followed a knockout format, with prize money and ranking points awarded based on performance.

Format: Each event used a single-elimination bracket with best-of-11 legs for early rounds and best-of-15 for finals, ensuring fast-paced action.
Player Selection: Eight top PDC players were invited automatically, while one spot was reserved for a local qualifier from the host country.
Prize Money: Winners received $25,000 per event, with total series prize funds exceeding $500,000 across all events.
Points System: Players earned ranking points based on finishes, with 100 points for a win, leading to qualification for the Finals.
Finals Qualification: The top six players in the standings, plus two wildcards, advanced to the World Series of Darts Finals in November.
Finals Format: The Finals used a best-of-19 legs format, with Phil Taylor defeating James Wade 11–8 in Glasgow.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the six 2015 World Series of Darts events:

Event	Date	Location	Winner	Prize
Dubai Duty Free Masters	Feb 28	Dubai, UAE	Phil Taylor	$25,000
Japan Darts Masters	Aug 21	Tokyo, Japan	James Wade	$25,000
US Darts Masters	Aug 28	New York, USA	Michael van Gerwen	$25,000
South African Masters	Sep 4	Johannesburg, SA	Phil Taylor	$25,000
German Darts Masters	Sep 11	Frankfurt, Germany	Phil Taylor	$25,000

The series demonstrated the PDC’s ability to adapt darts to global markets while maintaining competitive integrity. Events were broadcast internationally, helping grow viewership in regions with emerging darts communities. Phil Taylor emerged as the most dominant performer, winning three events and the Finals, solidifying his legacy.

Why It Matters

The 2015 World Series of Darts was pivotal in transforming darts into a truly international sport. It expanded the PDC’s reach beyond the UK and established a model for future global tours.

Global Expansion: The series introduced professional darts to new audiences in Asia, Africa, and North America, increasing fan engagement.
Player Exposure: Top darts stars like Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor gained international recognition through televised events.
Local Talent: Host nation qualifiers allowed regional players to compete against world-class opponents, inspiring grassroots development.
Commercial Growth: Sponsorships and venue partnerships, such as Dubai Duty Free, proved darts could attract major brands.
Media Impact: Events were broadcast on Sky Sports and online platforms, boosting global viewership numbers significantly.
Legacy: The 2015 series laid the foundation for future World Series tours, with events continuing annually in various countries.

The success of the 2015 season confirmed that darts could thrive outside traditional strongholds, setting a precedent for internationalization in the sport.