In a dramatic turn of events, Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) President Barry Hearn has confirmed that the organisation has placed the recently concluded 2026 Nordic Masters under “immediate and thorough review” following an avalanche of petitions from fans and integrity bodies alleging widespread match-fixing.
The announcement, made earlier today, casts a shadow over what was supposed to be a showcase event for the sport’s growing popularity in Scandinavia.
“We have received numerous petitions and a significant volume of correspondence from concerned parties regarding the integrity of specific matches at the Nordic Masters,” Hearn stated in an official press release. “The PDC has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Consequently, we have referred the matter to the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) for a full forensic investigation.”
Integrity Under Fire
The allegations come at a sensitive time for the sport, which has been battling to shed a recent spate of betting-related controversies. The Nordic Masters, which took place last week, saw PDC superstars compete against Nordic and Baltic qualifiers. However, sources indicate that the petitions focus heavily on unusual betting patterns detected during first-round matches involving local players .
While Hearn refused to name specific individuals under investigation, the announcement follows a broader crackdown on corruption. Notably, just last month, American player Danny Baggish was provisionally suspended by the DRA over allegations of match-fixing during the MODUS Super Series, a separate but similarly scrutinised competition .
“A Threat to the Sport”
The PDC has worked tirelessly to elevate darts to a global professional level, with the World Series events like the Nordic Masters serving as cornerstones of that strategy. Hearn emphasised that the current review is not a judgment of guilt but a necessary procedure to protect the integrity of the game.
“When the public loses faith in the authenticity of a competition, the sport dies,” Hearn added. “If these petitions have merit, we will root out the perpetrators and they will face lifetime bans. If they do not, we will move forward. But we will not ignore the noise.”
The DRA is expected to interview players and review betting data from the event over the coming weeks. This investigation will likely include scrutiny of the eight local qualifiers who competed against PDC stars such as Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price .
Background of Scandals
The darts world has been on high alert following several high-profile disciplinary cases. Leighton Bennett and Andy Jenkins are among those currently serving lengthy bans for match-fixing, with suspensions lasting until 2032 and 2033 respectively .
As the investigation looms, fans who attended the Copenhagen event have expressed dismay. “We just want to see fair darts,” said one attendee. “If players are throwing legs for bets, they are stealing from us.”
The PDC has stated it will provide a further update once the DRA concludes its preliminary hearing.
