The introduction of The Masters in 2013 has led to a surge in popularity for the tournament, starting off as a 16-player event before growing to 24 players just three years ago.
The 2024 edition of The Masters was a sell-out success, with Stephen Bunting emerging victorious by defeating five-time champion Michael van Gerwen 11-7 in the final at the Marshall Arena. Following this triumph, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has revealed plans for an expanded format for The Masters.
In the upcoming year, The Masters will feature 32 players, making it a more competitive and prestigious event. This tournament will now count towards the PDC Order of Merit and will mark the first ranked event of the new season.
To accommodate the larger field, The Masters will now span four days of action. The first round will take place over evening sessions on Thursday, January 30 and Friday, January 31. The second round is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final set to conclude the event on Sunday, February 2.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter expressed his excitement about the new format, stating, “The Masters has really grown in stature over the past decade and this new format will add further importance to what is already a significant event for competing players. The new format means that the 2025 season will begin with a bang as 32 players compete for a ranked title at the Marshall Arena, which has become a hugely popular venue for fans.”
Tickets for The Masters will go on sale in stages, starting with a Priority Sale period for PDCTV Annual Members on Monday, September 23. This will be followed by a second Priority Window for fans who sign up via a specified link. Any remaining tickets will then be available for General Sale from Wednesday, September 25.
More details about the format for The Masters will be released in the near future.
