What Do All the Points Mean in the Darts World Rankings?
If you’ve ever watched darts on TV and heard commentators mention “ranking points” or “the Order of Merit,” you might wonder what those numbers actually represent. The matches themselves are easy enough to follow—three darts, big scores, dramatic checkouts—but the ranking system can feel like another game entirely. In reality, it isn’t based on points at all. It’s based on prize money, and that’s the key to understanding how players rise and fall in the standings.
The Perks Behind The Rankings
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Image via Wikimedia Commons/Sven Mandel
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) bases its world rankings on the amount of prize money players earn in official events over a two-year period. Every pound won equals one ranking point. So, instead of collecting points for wins or appearances, players climb the rankings by earning more cash at ranked tournaments. The higher the payout, the bigger the leap.
The player with the most prize money across those two years takes the number one spot. But that money doesn’t stay forever. After two years, each result drops off, which means every player constantly defends the earnings they made two seasons ago. Staying on top takes consistency.
These rankings determine who keeps a PDC Tour Card, which allows players to compete professionally. The top 64 hold on to their cards, while those below that line have to requalify through the demanding Q School system.
They also determine who gets into Darts’ biggest tournaments. The top 40 automatically qualify for the World Darts Championship, while the top 16 earn seeded spots in events like the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. So, every pound on the Order of Merit is a ticket to the sport’s biggest stages.
What Counts Toward The Order Of Merit
Not every event affects a player’s position. Only ranked tournaments count toward the standings. These include the World Championship, UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals, plus the European Tour and Players Championship events held throughout the season.
The World Darts Championship is the most valuable of all; the 2026 winner will earn £1 million. One big tournament can completely reshape the rankings overnight.
There’s also the ProTour Order of Merit, which runs separately over a one-year cycle. It includes results from Players Championship and European Tour events only. This ranking helps fill qualifying spots for major competitions and gives rising players another route into top-tier tournaments.
In short, the two-year system rewards steady excellence, while the one-year system rewards current form. This system helps the PDC balance long-term success and fresh competition.