Danny Noppert won his first PDC major tournament, beating Michael Smith 11–10 in the final after Smith had a dart for the title. Noppert's average of 84.82 was the lowest winning average in a straight start format in a PDC major, and the second-lowest winning average overall ahead of Alan Warriner-Little's 83.25 in the 2001 World Grand Prix.[2]
The 160 participants entered the competition incrementally, with 64 players entering in the first round, with match winners joining the 32 players entering in the second and third rounds to leave the last 64 in the fourth round.
No players are seeded.
A random draw is held for each of the following rounds following the conclusion of the third round.
All matches in the first, second and third rounds will be played over best of 11 legs.
All matches in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds and quarter-finals will be played over best of 19 legs.
All matches in the semi-finals and final will be played over best of 21 legs.
Eight boards will be used for matches in the first, second, third and fourth rounds.
Four boards will be used for matches in the fifth round.
Two boards will be used for matches in the sixth round.
One board will be used for all the matches in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
Prize money
The prize fund remained at £450,000.
Stage (no. of players)
Prize money (Total: £450,000)
Winner
(1)
£100,000
Runner-up
(1)
£40,000
Semi-finalists
(2)
£20,000
Quarter-finalists
(4)
£12,500
Last 16 (sixth round)
(8)
£7,500
Last 32 (fifth round)
(16)
£4,000
Last 64 (fourth round)
(32)
£2,000
Last 96 (third round)
(32)
£1,000
Last 128 (second round)
(32)
n/a
Last 160 (first round)
(32)
n/a
Qualification
The 128 Tour Card holders had a staggered entry based on their world ranking on 28 February 2022. They were joined by the top 4 players from each of the 2021 UK & European Challenge & Development Tour Orders of Merit, and by the winners of 16 Amateur Qualification events organised through Rileys Sports Bars.[3]
Number 1–32 of the PDC Order of Merit (receiving byes into fourth round)
^Boris Koltsov withdrew after the draw was made. His drawn opponent was therefore given a bye.[4]
^Michael Unterbuchner didn't compete for personal reasons. A bye was given in the first round.[5]
PDC UK Development Tour qualifiers (starting in first round)
The top 4 ranked players from the 2021 UK Development Tour Order of Merit who didn't have a Tour Card for the 2022 season qualified for the first round.
Keelan Kay
Dom Taylor
Reece Colley
Liam Meek
PDC European Development Tour qualifiers (starting in first round)
The top 4 ranked players from the 2021 European Development Tour Order of Merit who didn't have a Tour Card for the 2022 season qualified for the first round.
PDC European Challenge Tour qualifiers (starting in first round)
The top 4 ranked players from the 2021 European Challenge Tour Order of Merit who didn't have a Tour Card for the 2022 season qualified for the first round. Steven Noster chose not to compete and was replaced in the rankings by Lukas Wenig.[5]
The winners of qualifiers organised by Rileys Sports Bars, held through January and February 2022, qualified for the first round. Entry to these tournaments was open to all players who had not qualified via another method, regardless of PDC Membership status.