This is a great opportunity for every ambitious hobbyist Darts player!
The European association PDC Europe and Sport1 are launching a new tournament series for amateur and young darters in February: the PDC Europe NEXT GEN. From Thursday (December 14th) players from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein can register there on www.pdc-europe.tv.
The series starts on February 10, 2024 in Hildesheim. A total of 18 tournaments will be played in Germany and Austria, including in Sindelfingen and Eisenstadt. The special feature: In order to prepare the darters for different formats, the tournaments take place in different formats. In Sindelfingen the game is played with a seeding list, in Hildesheim it is played with an open draw. In both events there is a group stage before the knockout round – every player is guaranteed at least three matches. In Eisenstadt, on the other hand, the knockout mode starts straight away, but in the “Double In – Double Out” format. It is played on official PDC board systems.
The new tournament series now gives German-speaking young talent the chance to get started in professional darting. This is how the talents of the future are developed. Over 100,000 euros in prize money will be distributed per season, including bonuses for high scores and high finishes. The best players of the NEXT GEN get starting places in the PDC Europe Super League, through which they can qualify for the Darts World Cup. Event winners also get to compete at a darts gala in front of a large audience.
Werner von Moltke, Managing Director of PDC Europe: “With the introduction of NEXT GEN we are trying to take the promotion of young and amateur darts players to a new level. With the innovative incentive and prize money system, every high score and every good performance is rewarded. This should encourage the players to really give it their all until the end – because every dart counts! At the tournaments we offer professional conditions at PDC level, plus comprehensive media presence through our partner’s reporting. Together with Sport1 we are continuing to explore new avenues to bring the sport of darts even further forward.”
The NEXT GEN tour is also an opportunity to show yourself to a wider audience, as Sport1 will provide extensive coverage of the tournaments on its TV, digital and social media channels as part of the partnership.
Christian Madlindl, COO of Sport1 GmbH: “With Gabriel Clemens’ historic semi-final entry last year and five German starters at this World Cup for the first time, the enthusiasm for darts in Germany has reached a new peak – and created new role models. This sends a message, especially for young talents: the path to the top darts world class is possible – we can do it too! Together with PDC Europe, we are taking advantage of this momentum and, with NEXT GEN, offering the next generation of players a unique opportunity to get closer to their dream – and on Sport1 the big media stage for them and their World Cup dream!”
Matthias Reichert, CCO of Sport1 GmbH, adds: “With this cooperation, we are consistently continuing our chosen path in the area of new business with the increasing verticalization of our value chain. Darts and SPORT1 belong together – and together with PDC Europe, we will live this connection even more intensively and sustainably in the future.”