What Is 2016 World Series of Darts

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 World Series of Darts was a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournament series held from February to November 2016, featuring 6 global events across 5 countries, culminating in a finals event in Glasgow with Michael van Gerwen winning the title.

Key Facts

The 2016 World Series of Darts began on February 26 in Dubai and ended on November 27 in Glasgow
Six events were held across Dubai, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, South Africa, and Germany
Michael van Gerwen won the 2016 World Series Finals by defeating Phil Taylor 11–7 in the final
Prize money totaled £150,000 for the Finals, with the winner receiving £50,000
Players earned ranking points based on finishes, influencing qualification for the PDC World Darts Championship

Overview

The 2016 World Series of Darts was the second edition of the Professional Darts Corporation's global expansion initiative, designed to promote darts internationally through high-profile events outside the UK. It featured a series of regional tournaments leading to a grand finals event, combining top PDC players with local qualifiers.

This year’s circuit expanded the sport’s reach by hosting events across five continents, showcasing darts in non-traditional markets. The format allowed international players to compete alongside elite professionals, increasing global visibility and competitive depth.

Dubai Darts Masters (February 26–27): Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this invitational event featured eight top PDC players, with Phil Taylor defeating Michael van Gerwen 11–9 in the final.
Sydney Darts Masters (August 18–20): Played at The Star Event Centre, Gary Anderson won the title by beating Peter Wright 11–9, marking his first World Series victory of 2016.
Auckland Darts Masters (August 27–28): At Vector Arena, Michael van Gerwen claimed victory with an 11–10 win over Raymond van Barneveld in a sudden-death leg.
Perth Darts Masters (September 9–10): Held at Crown Perth, Phil Taylor won 11–8 against James Wade, securing his second title of the series.
World Series of Darts Finals (November 25–27): Hosted at Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Michael van Gerwen won the championship with an 11–7 victory over Phil Taylor, earning £50,000.

How It Works

The 2016 World Series of Darts followed a structured format blending invitational events with a season-long points race culminating in a finals tournament. Players earned points based on performance, influencing seeding and qualification for the year-end finals.

Format: Each event used a best-of-11 legs knockout format for early rounds, progressing to best-of-19 or best-of-21 in finals, ensuring fast-paced, high-intensity matches.
Participants: Eight players competed per event: six top PDC ranked players and two regional qualifiers, giving local talent exposure against world-class opposition.
Scoring System: Players earned ranking points based on finishes—winner (100), runner-up (85), semifinalist (70), quarterfinalist (55), and first-round loser (40).
Venues: Events were held in Dubai, Sydney, Auckland, Perth, Las Vegas, and Johannesburg, emphasizing the PDC’s strategy to globalize the sport.
Finals Qualification: The top eight players in the World Series rankings after all events qualified for the Finals, joined by two wildcard entries from regional qualifiers.
Prize Pool: Each Masters event offered £60,000 in prize money, while the Finals offered £150,000, with £50,000 for the winner and £20,000 for the runner-up.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the six 2016 World Series events, highlighting locations, winners, runners-up, and prize details.

Event	Date	Winner	Runner-Up	Prize (Winner)
Dubai Darts Masters	Feb 26–27	Phil Taylor	Michael van Gerwen	£25,000
Sydney Darts Masters	Aug 18–20	Gary Anderson	Peter Wright	£25,000
Auckland Darts Masters	Aug 27–28	Michael van Gerwen	Raymond van Barneveld	£25,000
Perth Darts Masters	Sep 9–10	Phil Taylor	James Wade	£25,000
World Series Finals	Nov 25–27	Michael van Gerwen	Phil Taylor	£50,000

The table illustrates the competitive balance among top players, with Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor dominating the circuit. Van Gerwen’s consistency earned him the overall series title, while Taylor remained a formidable challenger. The Finals in Glasgow offered double the prize money, reflecting its importance in the calendar.

Why It Matters

The 2016 World Series of Darts was pivotal in expanding professional darts beyond its UK roots, demonstrating the sport’s global appeal and commercial viability. It provided emerging players with rare access to elite competition and helped grow fan bases in new markets.

Global Exposure: Broadcast in over 30 countries, the series reached an estimated 150 million viewers, increasing PDC’s international profile.
Player Development: Regional qualifiers like Devon Petersen (South Africa) and Corey Cadby (Australia) gained experience against top-10 players.
Commercial Growth: Sponsorship deals with companies like Betfair and Unicorn expanded, showing investor confidence in darts’ global reach.
Format Innovation: The use of walk-on music, themed stages, and fan zones mirrored Premier League Darts, enhancing entertainment value.
Pathway to World Championship: Strong performances boosted players’ PDC Order of Merit rankings, aiding qualification for the 2017 World Darts Championship.
Legacy: The success of the 2016 series led to expanded tours in 2017 and 2018, including new events in China and Germany.

The 2016 World Series of Darts not only elevated individual careers but also marked a turning point in darts’ evolution into a truly global sport.