How Much I Made From PDC Prize Money As A Mid Ranked Darter

[@theclagster2]

We the fans want the Edgar on Sky Sports. He is a cunning linguist and a brilliant communicator

[@Edgartvdarts]

I agree although i may be bias

[@johngreenhorn8853]

Cunning linguist 😂😂😂

[@jackchapman3679]

No we don’t

[@johngreenhorn8853]

@jackchapman3679 I know it's his channel we are on,but he is actually a very good summariser and obviously knowledgeable,I have liked him any time he's been on the modus series or the seniors games so i would have to disagree with you,but you're entitled to your opinion.

[@bryanh5684]

It has been discussed with those high up at sky sports darts but apparently Barry Hearn isn't keen.

[@omeraktash]

again, I am so happy to have found your channel, Matt. Superb insight to how it is like being a pro dart player, which I am planning to be.

[@Besitzerstolz]

I recently went through the Pro Tour seasonal averages. Jim Williams and Cameron Menzies are in 15th and 16th of that ranking, but in the Year-to-date Order of Merit they both are around 50th place. I think it would make an interesting video to go over the players sort of over/underperforming their ranking position. Especially with the Majors at the back end of the year those players could be pretty interesting as dark horses, if they can play their average game over a longer format.

[@Edgartvdarts]

I did this a few weeks ago 😊👍

[@Besitzerstolz]

​@@Edgartvdarts and I already watched it when it came out... No idea how I forgot that😅

[@timosaareste8655]

I still can’t understand the PDPA 2% deal. What exactly do they do and where does that 2% go? It’s like the players are paying a vig just for participating. Who governs the PDPA, Al Capone?

[@jimjim2272]

Thanks!

[@Edgartvdarts]

Thank you for the donation 😊 very much appreciated

[@DanTheStripe]

Love this. Great insight into the costs of being a pro. £22k a year gross is basically minimum wage, and you were no slouch on the Pro Tour, more than half of your profit has come from those events. You can imagine how quickly you could absolutely ruin yourself if you're going to all these Pro Tour events and not picking up any money at all.

[@Edgartvdarts]

There are other incomes streams like sponsorship exhibitions etc. but yeah it can hurt fast

[@frozyre7854]

Makes you feel for the players who're trying to make it up the ranks but are shut down easily by better and highly competitive players.

[@Cobalt180Darts]

@@Edgartvdarts Sponsorship in some ways would be akin to a job interview with a manufacturer whereby part of the contract is establishing what monetary worth you could bring to them, something easier for some of the upper echelon dart players. And on that note, most exhibitions I have seen advertised tend to have those names that are either big names playing at present, or players that have big titles to their name. To date I know of no exhibition that has the lower echelon players (by ranking) as their main drawcards, nor know of any exhibition that the public would pay to see the top 55-64 PDC players in the absence of a bigger name to draw the crowds. From the outset, it seems to me that there is bog all for a player in the lower rungs so to speak, which makes your time on the PDC all the more remarkable for its longevity, as for many players the prize monies are the ONLY form of income they have.

[@RobertBrown-Workshop44]

Interesting to see how it all works, Top content 👍

[@jimjim2272]

I do admire your commitment to the game. It's a busy life being a mid-range pro dart thrower. It means being able to stay focused on your game while keeping frustration and disappointments in the rearview mirror. Your channel gives a great insight into the professional game and what it takes to be involved...cheers mate!

[@r.ramjet5060]

i took darts in hand luggage, inside an aluminium torch. they saw them anyway, measured the points length and said they were fine to take on board. its about the point (blade) length here in NZ anyway, prob similar in UK/Europe

[@mabbrey]

great vid matt

[@fulltimeproductions5747]

How are you Edgar, i met you at Killarney Darts Festival, we were the company doing the live streaming, you have a fantastic channel and this video is not one youd find anywhere

[@Edgartvdarts]

Hey good to see you. Thanks for the message hope your well

[@gheffz]

Matthew, hope you not only get back in the top 64, but this time crack the 32 whenever you're ready to return to the big stage! You obviously have a lot of support.

[@Edgartvdarts]

I feel it to thank you for been on the journey with me

[@malcy30]

Do you think PDC will follow WST and give the £20k minimum income guarantee to tour card holders snooker players get. Both run by the Hearn sand Matchroom. They have said one reason is to help the international players in snooker. Surely same in darts and you mentioned Kim, but also have guys like Heta had to abandon their family in Australia or bring them here as the PDC darts events are pretty much all U.K. or Germany with only a few elsewhere,

[@Edgartvdarts]

Yes I think that’s the next logical step esp with the mid week pro tours

[@matthewatkins4836]

Really good Video and spot on, my best friend looks after Edhouse Lukeman Pilgrim Crabtree, and yes they could win 60-100k and would be all theres, but with a manager taking a % the costs worries flights and extras are all paid and a bit less to worry about for the players

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

Great insight.

[@WilliamMerriman-d8z]

Great content Matt

[@TravelwithJodie1890]

Very interesting to see what you have to do to earn the money and to make it full time :)

[@scotmclaughlin2113]

Always entertaining cheers bud

[@Digital2Jack]

For the darts, could you not send them via post to save the cabin bag ? (might be only a few quid saved, but over a season might add up?)

[@lelloz7444]

That is a brillant idea .......you could send it to the hotel .....nice one.....as soon as my average goes from 20 to 90 ,i will apply for the q school andI shall remember this great idea😂...

[@anthonym3351]

I'd love an insight into darts sponsorship deals and how player endorsed darts makes players

[@rickwake7145]

Matt have you done a video on sponsorship/endorsements and what certain level from top to bottom players receive?

[@Edgartvdarts]

Not fully I will do tho if it’s something you would like to see

[@danparkinson8847]

Would be good. I often see players ranked 80-120th with sponsors thinking ‘wonder how much they get paid for a space on the shirt’ and then the top top players, like Michael Smith’s deal with Shot Darts. What must that be worth financially to him per year? And everyone in between.

[@R3DNEWS]

As someone playing in my kitchen for 20 minutes a day i can say i have never felt more confident for Qschool.

[@davewebster689]

Where would you go for advice on sponsorship deals etc? How do you know how much to ask for or whether you are getting a decent deal?

[@Edgartvdarts]

I’ve done a video in sponsorships if you search my channel but I’ll be doing another one soon

[@johngreenhorn8853]

Do i need to give the government 20% of the steak pie i won at the darts in the pub last Sunday.

[@Edgartvdarts]

Just the steak part

[@johngreenhorn8853]

@Edgartvdarts Nooooooooooooooooooooo.i hate the tax man.

[@entityliquids]

Another reason why the pdc is falling off trend going forward. I bet there is some seriously miserable dart players on the tour these days, imagine dedicating yourself and turning up to earn £0 pounds over the weekend, 1st round losers should be paid £250 quid. So if you loose both first rounds, its 500 quid, enough to cover expenses and maybe pocket a couple of hundred. Going forward people coming into darts will be looking at this thinking why bother, there is more hassle free money in other codes of darts like the wdf & Modus super series guarantees you 1250 for the week, it's worth going and enjoying the darts and you will play better knowing that worst case scenario it was still worth it. You have to be in the top 32 in the pdc really to make it all worthwhile and not earn the same amount as a chicken factory would pay over 12 months. Money goes to money pdc don't care about nothing other than the 'elite' golden gooses , its marketing media hyped darts rather than proper darts. Jumped up southern brainwashed CEO's unfortunately will not change.

[@conordarts2713]

You covering European championship on edgar tv next weekend matt

[@Edgartvdarts]

Yes will be

[@jrsuk1170]

Why are you paying so much NI if you're self employed? Would it be better to work as a vat registered LTD company? Genuinely very interested in how it all work. Thanks

[@Edgartvdarts]

Yes setting up as a Ltd company would be better when you hit a certain point. Purely just a guide to give an indication into some figures not an accurate one on the ni and tax’s

[@raymondlowe7623]

will you play in killarney darts festival matt ?

[@Edgartvdarts]

Most likely yes

[@diagonalcircle9553]

I am quite sure most airlines would be happy to take a carry on case into the baggage hold, so it wont fill the overhead compartments. Let me know if I am wrong.

[@sam_marley]

Airlines are greedy. If it’s going in the hold, they’ll charge you as such

[@Doublebasist]

Lots of interesting info there. When I have suggested a deep dive into this I was more thinking about finding out about how some of the mid table players live. Are they (deservingly) comfortably well off. How much of a struggle is it?

[@Edgartvdarts]

With other forms of income it makes a sustainable living lifestyle. And a decent one too. It’s a job and a dream job at that

[@EuropeanQualifiersHub]

So interesting every time

[@-Dannytv]

Changes in Prizemoney rank 50-64 since 2013-2018-2023, what the PDC did for the players for increasing price money (like 750 pound for first round in PC) etc. I think rank 64 gives almost 75k over 2 years (if you watch tourcard race and some people will earn money next months). Top 50 will earn 100k in 2 years probably. Just interesting in your thoughts. it could be better ofcourse but they made already a big progress.

[@Edgartvdarts]

Gone up around 4K a year in total for mid ranked players

[@-Dannytv]

@@Edgartvdarts since 1 win is 500>750?

[@mrbipolarmattyhoward6071]

Watched you on Modus darts show you were good to be honest going get the sky job before you know it.

[@Edgartvdarts]

Thank you 😊 I appreciate that 👍

[@billenglish797]

Sky wouldn't have that mug

[@mrbipolarmattyhoward6071]

@@billenglish797 Mug because he is successful and good at what he does. think about that for a minute🤣🤣

[@reeds771]

Very interesting video! In the US I was able to take my swiss point darts apart and carry them onto my flight. Don't know if it always works but has at least twice

[@Edgartvdarts]

It’s to do with the length of the object on the point.

[@davegonnaway6007]

Watched you in players 26 last night highlights you won a couple of matches played well then i missed the rest how did you get on..i think you got to the quarters then i missed the rest...

[@keithwest6180]

Matt, I heard them discussing Prize money that hits the order of merit. Can you please confirm if I understood this right? Jules Van Dongen had made the 3rd round, so he earned that level of prize funds. But they were saying it doesn't all count toward his ranking money? Is that because you only get the total for the round that did win in? As in he won the second round, so all that money would count toward his rankng money at that point?

[@Edgartvdarts]

im not sure i understand the question tbh.

[@keithwest6180]

@@Edgartvdarts It is hard to type it out, let me try again. When a player advances to say the third round of a event and they lose in that round, the money that they would have received for the first 2 rounds is all that would go towards their ranking money, from what I was told. They get the full amount for reaching the 3rd round, but do they only get the money for the rounds they won applied to their ranking money? Sorry it is hard to type out, I appreciate your patience!

[@muchiosgracias4]

​@@keithwest6180yes. Plus players are defending money so they might make the final but lose ranking money as they won it previously

[@GLGOLFAcademy]

@@keithwest6180they only get one lot of money. I.e if it’s 500k to the winner of the worlds they don’t pick u all the other money for different rounds.

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Do the sponsors and events you do help pay for these additional costs?

[@Edgartvdarts]

Yeah sponsors at least covers those costs this is a very rough black and white guide

[@BlueWhitePyro]

How does payout work in de PDC? You get the money directly after the tournaments?

[@Edgartvdarts]

I do have a video on this how the pdc pay the prize but it’s normally paid into your bank after 14 days

[@chrisbamo6400]

just got back into darts great information mate are you still playing on the tour not watched darts in a couple of years

[@Edgartvdarts]

No I’m out injured played 5 events in just over a year. But doing ok. Check out the vlog section

[@chrisbamo6400]

@@Edgartvdarts shame buddy. hope you get sorted and get back on tour soon :)

[@alanchapman2782]

What a rip off the increased car insurance is. It's ridiculous that they are assessing playing darts as an increased risk factor as it would be for para gliding, or motor cross etc. Playing darts is much safer than being on a building site as an example, so I can not see the justification, or why that sort of gouging is allowed.

[@Cosborne71217]

Love these insight videos, Could you do a video on sponsorship deals, regarding players darts, if they get a cut when a set it sold ect

[@Edgartvdarts]

Yes no problemo

[@Cosborne71217]

@@Edgartvdarts thank you would be cool to see how that side works aswell

[@plumbeats4573]

£50 a night on hotels seems impossible in Today's UK. Unless you guys get good rates at certain hotels etc. I was in Manchester for 1 Saturday night recently and it was like £150 for a room with no windows, crazy how much hotels have gone up

[@Edgartvdarts]

When you shop around and book in advance it’s defo possible

[@alexwilliams7352]

Love the videos matt. Met you at the Welsh open start of the year was great to chat. I’m going to Q school in January for the first time any chance of a do’s and don’ts video please?

[@sarahwelty9223]

It all seems like a right ball ache! You'd need to hire a mathematician to do the books and figures. Great insight though Matt thanks for the info. Keep up the good work!

[@leeatkin9583]

Why would you 'hire' a mathermatician.....you pay an accountant.

[@sarahwelty9223]

That was meant to be a joke actually

[@DanielDarts82]

Never would've thought about the car insurance

[@eggyboy97]

Should defiantly be on the commentators

[@billyb5059]

Question whats the heaviest darts you're seen I've got some 46g never seen any like them

[@charliev1986]

I bought a set of “Voks” darts and they’re 50 grams. I don’t throw with them so they’re more of a novelty than anything else.

[@dangreene3895]

That is a silly insurance law you folks have over there , you have to pay the same premium as a professional race car driver . My brother and sister in law went over to your country earlier this year and they ran into insurance problems with my brother age , my sister in law had to do all the driving

[@Jedwbpm]

Your rate us based on what they think an average driver drives. I’m a sales rep and over a number of States my insurance is higher because of that.

[@malcy30]

It’s not just the cost of repair if you crash and damage the car but the risk as the insured driver you run if you crash and injury your passengers. Say you are Matt in this example and he’s driving MVG from the hotel to an event but he crashes and cripples MVG then the insurer face many millions in compensation to MVG if he can never play darts again paying for loss of his future earnings potential. You or me don’t know MVG or similar professional sports person so are unlikely to be driving them. This is why insurers hate young drivers as if they crash with their mates in the car again millions of pounds loss if they crash and can never work. Hell of a lot to compensate an 18 year old for the rest of their life.

[@dangreene3895]

@@malcy30 Will that could happen if he was driving MVG if he was a professional dart player or not , just a friend hanging out

[@jab307]

By the sounds of it, it is almost impossible to pursue a career in darts unless you already have a substantial amount of money?

[@ryanw5569]

Do you use Twitch or Discord (or whatever the kids are using now) to run live on-line streams where if someone donates like $5, they get a chance to play you in a leg of darts? I have friends that run facebook groups as well, which helps with communication about what you're doing. And, just curious, what's your day job?

[@Edgartvdarts]

I work in darts so I still play part time Exhibitions, coaching, KZbin, and I also commentate on the super series and work podcast and KZbin for sky sports

[@888macky888]

Matt’s not heard of Revolut yet I see 😅

[@Edgartvdarts]

I’m learning very fast since this video 🤣

[@Chris-dz6ov]

Say the tournament is sponsored by Cazoo for example, every player has Cazoo,on their right breast,is that paid? or an entry requirement?

[@Edgartvdarts]

Part of the prize money

[@MDAPromotions]

Great video but it’s never £50 a night for hotels been doing it since 2011 and it was never that cheap then so figure is probably lower than 22k mate

[@ashleystone4266]

What I would like to know, is, is it really worth being a PDC darts player? If I was a player that was at what your ranking was 55-64, but couldn't progress further than say 50, would it be financially worth it over a prolonged period like 6-8 years?

[@Edgartvdarts]

Including other forms of income yes as a job and profession but not something your going to change your life over. But can sure give you a wage capable of living and decently

[@jasonjones3638]

Could you post the darts to the hotel in advance once it's booked so you don't need to take luggage on the flight? The don't weigh much

[@MDAPromotions]

Then can’t practice for the days before

[@geoffs8801]

i believe you mat....its not quite as luxurious as its made out at all!!! and given the personal sacrifice...keep your day jobs folks!!!

[@tomasmorrissey7324]

Yet another reason why tour card holders should be guaranteed a certain amount of earnings in the year nice video

[@Negan_1]

Seems a right headache 😅

[@mr.b501]

Never mind that the Prize money should be increased in the PDC World Darts Championship for the top 3 players..What PDC and Barry Hearn should be doing is paying the taxes on the top prizes in the tournament for the top 3 players..As the players pay a huge tax on what they win...200k Littler won last year, 83k of that prize money was taxes, so what they win they don't actually get, they should so that's why the PDC should handle the taxes for the winners.. Because PDC makes Millions and millions of profits a year. So it should be fair if they handle the taxes on the prize money and let the players get the winnings tax free

[@tomg3833]

Can't believe you spent a grand on flights. I get mine off Amazon. Ten sets for a fiver or something like that.

[@russking7775]

For the not being able to have your darts in the cabin, surprised you haven't pushed this with the pdpa and aren't able to pool them and they carry round the barrels between venues (assuming you use more than 1) to try and help all the players

[@joeysp180]

Definitely interesting hearing the management sometimes absorbs some of the costs. I was already wondering why some lesser known players had a manager since 30/40% on top of all the costs would mean they were making close to nothing (still they might not be swimming in money, but it makes a big difference).

[@lispycorner5743]

For taking the darts over, why don’t players give European players a set of their darts and then they could post it to your hotel prior to the tournament? Would this not save money? Also European players give the uk based players a set of theirs for pro tour events. Surely this also eradicates the worry for losing darts?

[@fluoridefree]

Even tougher back in 1978 when Leighton Rees became the first BDO World Champion picking up just £3,000 in prize money.

[@R3DNEWS]

£21,000 of today's money isn't too bad actually considering it wasn't as big in 1978 when people was still inserting coins into the side of there crap TVs to turn them on.

[@TiredofEarth]

to get to the top of darts you need natural talent, luke littler is evidence of that.

[@TheThoughtDonor]

Matt was the standard bearer if you will.

[@einfelder8262]

If a PDC player makes so little money how come they can afford to get so fat?

[@Cowabunga10101]

Idiot comment of the year🙄

[@jamesmcdowall3315]

Haha

[@markhodson4763]

How much prize money does Fallon sherrock make

[@elitedavidhorne8494]

He makes more money on Only Fans doing things he's ashamed of.

[@asef698]

That car insurance scam can jog right on. Unless I'm breaking into the top 10 i don't think I'd bother 😂 rip off,

[@MDAPromotions]

This makes me laugh when us (managers) get called for “ripping” players off We have some players on 50/50 and let’s say they do a bit better than Matthew Edgar and earn £60k 30 pro tours Say 35% of the euros 5 UK open Worlds Minehead If they are from NI or beyond it’s at least 13/15k in exes so that 30 is now 15k less 25% corp tax looking at 11k profit

[@Edgartvdarts]

Also gotta factor in that risk as well that’s there’s no guarantee you will even get your money back, plus your time in organisation of everything you do for a player

[@stefanob.1593]

The best is to hire your wife as a manager. However you turn she always get 50%!

[@christophercarey1]

Could you not post your darts to your hotel?

[@muzz852]

looks like you got a better camera