Players Championship events set to return with five-part Summer Series

The PDC ProTour is set to return in July with five Players Championship events on consecutive days in Milton Keynes.

The PDC has announced a ‘Summer Series’ featuring five live-streamed events from July 8-12, held behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena.

The intention is to stage five ranked Players Championships, however that is subject to the UK Government quarantine policy on overseas visitors.

As with all 2020 Players Championship events, prize money will stand at £75,000 per event, with all winnings counting towards the relevant PDC Orders of Merit.

In the event that quarantine restrictions make it impractical for non-UK players to travel to the events, the PDC will announce a revised schedule of non-ranked events for the same dates.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: “Prior to the Home Tour, I outlined the three-stage plan for the return of darts, starting with events played remotely, followed by events played behind closed doors, before events can be played in front of crowds.

“I am delighted that we are now able to move on to the second stage of that plan, and hopefully we will be able to safely welcome crowds back to our events in the not-too-distant future.

“The PDC Summer Series will provide a welcome return of live darts for both players and fans alike, and I’m sure the event will whet the appetite for the prestigious Betfred World Matchplay.

“We appreciate the patience of our players in recent weeks as we worked to secure these events, and further details will be confirmed to them in due course.”

The PDC intend to confirm the dates and proposed format of the events so that players can begin to prepare for a return to competitive events and plan accordingly.

Live Darts understands the Marshall Arena remains first choice to replace the Winter Gardens as host venue for the World Matchplay in late July should no crowd be permitted in Blackpool.

Should the Summer Series constitute ranked events as planned, prize money will count towards qualification for the World Matchplay.