What Is 2020 World Series of Darts

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 World Series of Darts was a professional darts tournament series organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), featuring events across multiple global locations from February to November 2020. Due to the pandemic, several events were postponed or canceled, and the Finals were held in Salzburg, Austria, on November 28–29, with Gerwyn Price winning the title.

Key Facts

The 2020 World Series of Darts included events in the US, Germany, New Zealand, and Austria.
The Finals were held in Salzburg, Austria, on November 28–29, 2020.
Gerwyn Price won the 2020 World Series of Darts Finals, defeating Michael van Gerwen 11–9.
Due to the pandemic, the US Darts Masters and New Zealand Darts Masters were postponed.
The tournament featured a $275,000 prize pool, with $60,000 awarded to the winner.

Overview

The 2020 World Series of Darts was a professional darts circuit organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), designed to expand the sport’s global footprint through international events. Originally scheduled to include tournaments in North America, Europe, and Oceania, the series faced major disruptions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite logistical challenges, the PDC successfully held the culminating World Series of Darts Finals in November 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. This event brought together top performers from the qualifying legs, offering ranking points and significant prize money, with Gerwyn Price emerging as champion.

Event Duration: The 2020 World Series spanned from February to November, with the Finals concluding on November 29. This compressed schedule accommodated pandemic-related delays.
Global Reach: The series was planned to include stops in New York, Auckland, Frankfurt, and Salzburg, highlighting the PDC’s strategy to grow darts internationally.
Champion: Gerwyn Price won the 2020 Finals, defeating Michael van Gerwen 11–9 in a high-stakes final match under best-of-21 legs format.
Prize Fund: The Finals offered a total prize pool of $275,000, with the winner receiving $60,000, one of the largest single payouts in non-World Championship PDC events.
Format: Players earned qualification through performance in designated World Series events, with the top eight advancing to the Finals based on accumulated points.

How It Works

The World Series of Darts operates as a qualifying circuit where top PDC players compete in regional events to earn points toward entry in the year-end Finals. These events follow a standardized format with strict eligibility and ranking rules.

Qualification: Eight players qualified for the Finals based on performance in designated World Series events. Each win contributed points toward overall standings.
Event Structure: Each leg was played in a best-of-11 or best-of-15 format, depending on the stage, using standard PDC rules and scoring.
Venue Rotation: The PDC rotates host cities annually; in 2020, Salzburg replaced earlier venues due to travel restrictions and safety protocols.
Player Selection: The field included top PDC stars like Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, and James Wade, plus regional invitees such as Leonard Gates from the USA.
Scoring System: Players earned 100 ranking points for winning the Finals, impacting their PDC Order of Merit and seeding in future tournaments.
Televised Coverage: The event was broadcast globally via Sky Sports and DAZN, ensuring wide accessibility despite limited live audiences.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2020 World Series of Darts events highlights changes due to the pandemic and shifts in scheduling and location.

Event	Date	Location	Status	Winner
US Darts Masters	June 5–6, 2020	New York, USA	Postponed	N/A
New Zealand Darts Masters	August 14–15, 2020	Auckland, NZ	Postponed	N/A
German Darts Masters	July 4–5, 2020	Frankfurt, Germany	Postponed	N/A
World Series of Darts Finals	November 28–29, 2020	Salzburg, Austria	Held	Gerwyn Price
Seattle Darts Classic	May 9–10, 2020	Seattle, USA	Canceled	N/A

The table illustrates how the pandemic disrupted the original calendar, forcing the PDC to consolidate the season finale in Salzburg. While most regional events were scrapped, the Finals retained competitive integrity and broadcast visibility, ensuring continuity for fans and players.

Why It Matters

The 2020 World Series of Darts demonstrated the PDC’s resilience in maintaining a global schedule amid unprecedented challenges. It underscored darts’ growing international appeal and the organization’s ability to adapt quickly to external crises.

Global Growth: The series helped promote darts in non-traditional markets like the USA and New Zealand, expanding its fanbase and commercial opportunities.
Player Exposure: Emerging talents such as Danny Noppert and Devon Petersen gained visibility by competing against top-ranked professionals.
Financial Impact: Despite cancellations, the $275,000 prize fund maintained player incentives and competitive intensity at the Finals.
Health Precedent: The Salzburg event set a model for safe, controlled environments, influencing future PDC events during the pandemic.
Media Reach: Broadcasting partnerships with Sky Sports and DAZN ensured continued global engagement, even without live spectators.
Legacy: The 2020 series reinforced the World Series brand, paving the way for a return to full international scheduling in 2021.

Ultimately, the 2020 edition proved that darts could remain competitive and entertaining despite global disruptions, reinforcing its status as a growing international sport.