Crabtree fears Development Tour revamp could drive youngsters away

CAM CRABTREE fears changes to the Development Tour could put off young darts stars as the PDC scraps its double-header format.

The number of tournaments will drop from 24 to 18 next season, with the demanding schedule of two events in one day being replaced by a single tournament per day.

In addition, the revised calendar will feature six three-day weekends running from Friday to Sunday, with prize money increasing to £30,000 per event.

Payouts will also extend to the last 128 players in each tournament, giving more youngsters the chance to earn money as they try to progress through the ranks.

Players aged 16 to 23 can compete on the Development Tour, although those inside the world’s top 64 are ineligible.

Crabtree, 23, has enjoyed success on the circuit, winning Event 14 this season after claiming five titles and topping the Order of Merit last year.

Shazam finished third in the rankings in 2026 to qualify for the World Championship.

Speaking on the Weekly Dartscast podcast, Crabtree admitted the new format could benefit established players but questioned whether it would help those still developing their game.

He said: “I think it suits the better players because you don't have, you just prepare for one tournament.

“I don't necessarily love it for the Development Tour because I think the whole I mean it's in the title, it's developing.

“I think the more darts that you can play, the better. If someone was to go next year to the first one and they play Kaya Baysal or Mitchell Lawrie and they lose first round, they could start at 12 o'clock because I imagine it's going to start later.

“I don't know that for sure but I feel like it makes sense. If you start at 12 o'clock and then the game's over at 10 past 12, that's then a whole day that someone has to kill.

“And you know, a lot of some of the places we go to there's not a lot to do.

“It probably just leaves you in your hotel room or you know, they kick you out the venue because otherwise you're just in there making noise and sort of in the way.

“So I probably don't love it for the Development Tour.

“I think it's great for the Challenge Tour because you're trying to, if you want to be on the Pro Tour, the best way to get used to that is by repeating that format of competition.

“But for the Development Tour, I like the two but I also don't, I agree with them not wanting to because there's so many people and the days go on for so long.

“So, I don't really know what the solution was for the Development Tour. But I just think for the players that aren't as experienced or aren't at the top level, it could maybe turn them away.”

Image: Taylor Lanning