ADC: Everything You Need to Know to Get Playing in Local Events
- Douglas Logan
- Jan 11
- 8 min read
The Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) offers a wealth of opportunities for players of all levels. With multiple ranking tables and pathways, players can compete locally, regionally, and nationally, with the potential to earn significant prizes and career advancement.
Key Sections:
Below, we’ll break down the key components of the ADC, the pathways available, and how you can qualify for the end-of-year majors.
How To Sign Up To ADC Darts Vaults & Events
To participate in the ADC:
Sign up on Dart Atlas paying your £10 annual membership
Find local events to begin earning Vault or Open ranking points.
Entries open a week in advance costing £6 with first-to-pay entry
Monitor your rankings and aim for regional and national playoffs.
Compete in major events for a chance to progress to international stages.
The ADC Darts Vault Explained
The Vault is a weekly round-robin series with a fast-fire format. It’s designed to provide players with consistent opportunities to compete and progress locally, regionally, and nationally. Entry costs £6 per session.
Key Features:
Capped at 24 players per week, first to register guarantees their place.
4 Groups of 6: Matches are best of 3.
Top 2 Players per Group: Advance to Quarter Finals.
Knockout Rounds: Best of 5 matches all the way through.
Prize fund on the night starts at a minimum of £50.
Weekly Series: Runs for 7 weeks, culminating in a Regional Finals day.
Ranking System: Each player’s best 10 results count toward their ranking, though you can participate in as many events as you like..
The Vault Ranking Points:
Vault ranking points are independent of the Open Ranking Tables.
Points earned in Vault competitions remain within the Vault structure.
The Vault National Finals:
A straight knockout format.
The second-largest major event on the ADC calendar.
Provides UK & Regional Open Ranking Points.
Date: November 15–16, 2025, at Mattioli Arena, Leicester.
Prize Fund: £62,000.
Top 12 players in the Regional Table after each series. If already qualified, the next eligible player is selected.
Opportunities:
Top 16 Players: Receive payouts after each 7-week series.
Top 12 Players: Qualify for the National Finals.
Top 32 Players: Playoff for a MODUS Super Series invite.
Level Up Qualification: Players with an average under 65 qualify for Level Up Regional Finals.
MODUS Super Series Qualifiers – Regional Finals Day:
Top 32 players in the Regional Table will compete.
Prize Fund: £200 (Winner receives MODUS Super Series spot; runner-up gets £100; semi-finalists receive £50 each).
Winner: Plays live on the MODUS Super Series, with a chance to win over £25,000.
Level Up - Under 65 Averages Finals Days:
Players with a running average below 65 qualify for separate finals days.
Prize Fund: Minimum £100.
Qualification is based on the Darts Atlas Ranking Table.
Main Ranking Tables
The ADC features several ranking systems, each tailored to different competition types and pathways:
Regional Tables: 11 regional tables across the UK.
UK Ranking Table: A combined order of merit for all regions.
Ireland Ranking Table: The national order of merit for Ireland.
Each table offers unique opportunities for progression and qualification to major events.
How Points Are Awarded:
Points are based on attendance and performance in ADC-sanctioned events. Players can find these events through the ADC website, local dart clubs, or affiliated venues.
The most common way to gain points is through the weekly vault competitions. However, many competitions are advertised on social media platforms and through the ADC’s online calendar, which provides details on event dates, locations, and entry requirements.
For example a sanctioned event with 38 players:
38 players in attendance:
Winner: 64 points
Runner-up: 32 points
Semi-finalists: 16 points
Quarter-finalists: 8 points
Last 16: 4 points
Last 32: 2 points
Note: A minimum of 16 players must participate in a non vault event for ranking points to be awarded.
Opportunities in Amatuer Darts:
Cash Bonuses: The player at the top of their regional table every 6 months receives £100.
Regional Title Playoffs: Top 32 players in each regional table playoff for a chance to challenge the Regional Title Holder in a live event.
UK & Ireland Classic Qualification: Top 2 players in each regional table (by June 30th) qualify.
Global Championship Qualification: Top 3 players in the UK Ranking Table by October 31st qualify.
Undisputed ADC Titles
The ADC offers Regional, National, and International titles under the Undisputed banner. Title matches take place in live events with significant benefits for the winners.
Benefits for Title Holders:
MODUS Super Series invite.
Perform live at professional exhibitions.
Qualification for the ADC Global Championship.
Regional Titles:
Top 32 players from each regional table (every 6 months) compete for the title.
Winners face the reigning Regional Title Holder in a live show.
Includes titles for Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Scotland.
English National Title:
The top-ranked English player on the UK Ranking Table every 6 months challenges the current titleholder.
Note: News about European and Global titles is coming soon.
End-of-Year Major ADC Events
The ADC hosts four major events at the end of each year:
The Vault National Finals
Prize Fund: £50,000.
Players: 660 players (60 per region).
Qualification: Place in the top 12 of your regional Vault series.
UK & Ireland Classic
Prize Fund: £13,200.
Players: 32 players.
Top 2 from each regional table.
4 next best from the UK Order of Merit.
6 qualifiers held between July and September.
Cut-off Date: June 30th.
Winmau Championship Tour Grand Finals
Prize Fund: £10,000.
Players: Top 8 players from the Winmau Championship Tour.
Event: Live on YouTube from the MODUS Live Lounge, Portsmouth.
Global Championship
Prize Fund: £85,000.
Players: Top 24 international players from selected tours and ranking tables.
Qualification:
Top 3 players in the UK Ranking Table by November 16th.
Top 3 players in the Winmau Tour Table.
Note: UK Ranking Table positions take precedence over Tour Table positions for qualification.
Key Dates For The ADC In 2025
December 31st:
Cut-off for Regional Table Top 32 players.
£100 bonus for players at the top of their regional table.
June 30th:
Cut-off for Regional Table Top 32 players.
Top 2 regional players qualify for the UK & Ireland Classic Finals.
Next 4 best in the UK Ranking Table qualify for the UK & Ireland Classic Finals.
November 16th (2025):
Top 3 players in the UK Ranking Table qualify for the Global Championship.
Attending Your First ADC Event? Frequently Asked Questions
1. Am I Good Enough to Compete?
This is a question many new players ask. The good news is that ADC events are designed for everyone, regardless of experience or skill level.
From my personal experience, I have seen people average in 30’s to low 40’s (I promise it wasn’t me), I have also been hammered by players like Andy Davidson, Greg Ritchie and David Sharpe with over 100+ averages.
There is now an incentive for players who are still developing with an average under 65 can compete in separate "Level Up" finals, while those with more experience can climb the rankings through The Vault and Open Ranking Tables.
The emphasis is on enjoying the game, improving your skills, and meeting like-minded players.
2. How Do I Get Started In The ADC Vaults?
Getting started is simple:
Sign Up on Dart Atlas: Register and pay the £10 annual membership fee.
Find Local Events: Use Dart Atlas or the ADC website to find weekly Vault events or other tournaments in your area.
Register Early: Entries open a week in advance, and it’s first come, first served. The cost is typically £6 per session.
Once you’ve signed up, all that’s left is to show up and play!
3. What Happens on the Day?
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect at your first ADC event:
Check-In: Arrive early and fin the person with the tablet or iPad to check-in.
Practice Time: Many events allow practice on the boards before matches begin.
Game Format: Most events, like The Vault, feature a 501 format best of 3. Players are grouped in a round-robin stage, and top performers advance to knockout rounds.
Supportive Atmosphere: Whether you win or lose, ADC events are known for their friendly, welcoming environment.
I can only emphasis the last point the 4 or 5 different ADC venues I have attended have been great and so welcoming!
4. What Should I Bring?
To ensure you’re fully prepared, pack the following:
Your darts.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes (you’ll be on your feet a lot).
Wallet for any light refreshments at the venue
Anything else you like to use during play, like spare flights and stems
5. What If I Lose?
Losing is part of the journey, and every match is a learning opportunity. The beauty of the vaults is you get a minimum of 5 games regardless if you win lose or draw (based on the event being full).
The ADC hosts weekly Vault sessions, so even if you don’t advance in one event, you can come back the next week to improve and earn ranking points.
Additionally, players with averages under 65 can qualify for separate Level Up events, providing even more opportunities to compete.
6. How Do Rankings and Points Work?
The ADC uses multiple ranking systems, including:
The Vault: Points are earned in weekly Vault events and count toward your Vault ranking.
Open Rankings: Points from other ADC-sanctioned tournaments contribute to regional, UK, or Ireland ranking tables.Rankings are based on both attendance and performance, so the more you play, the better your chances of climbing the leaderboard.
7. What Are the Benefits of Competing?
ADC events offer more than just fun; they provide pathways to major tournaments and potential career advancement. Key benefits include:
Skill Development: Regular competition against the best in your area is one of the best ways to improve your game.
Prize Money: Weekly events often feature cash prizes, with larger rewards at finals.
Pathways to Major Events: Top-ranked players can qualify for the UK & Ireland Classic, The Vault National Finals, and even the MODUS Super Series, where prize money exceeds £25,000.
8. Will I Be Expected to Mark at These Events?
Yes but no need to worry! It is not scoring in the traditional sense—everything is made much easier with tablets.
During the event, you'll be asked to add up the scores of the three darts thrown and enter the total into the tablet.
If a player asks what their remaining score is, you can simply input the total score so far, and the tablet will automatically calculate and show the remaining points.
When the player asks, you can then read off the remaining score without hitting the enter button or making any changes to the calculation. It’s a very simple process, and you don’t have to worry about any complex arithmetic.
Plus, the atmosphere is very supportive, and many players are more than happy to help out with the scoring, especially if you're new to it. So, even if you’re not confident with counting, you’ll have no problem marking at these events!
9. How Can I Prepare for My First Event?
Preparation is key to feeling confident. Here are some tips:
Practice Regularly: Focus on consistency and finishing doubles in 501 games. (As well as your counting)
Know the Format: Familiarize yourself with ADC rules and event structures, such as round-robin stages and knockout rounds.
Stay Positive: Remember, everyone started as a beginner. The ADC community is welcoming and supportive, so enjoy the experience.
10. How long does an event typically last?
Event duration varies depending on the number of players and format. For The Vault, matches are quickfire (best of 3 or 5), and the event typically concludes within a 4 hours. Larger tournaments, like Regional Finals, may last longer.
11. Can I come with friends or family?
Yes! Most ADC events are spectator-friendly, and bringing supporters is encouraged. Check the venue details for any restrictions on children before attending.
The ADC offers a clear path for players of all abilities to improve, compete, and achieve their goals. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned competitor, the ADC has something for everyone!
12. Will I Be Playing Against Professionals?
No, you will not be playing against current PDC Tour Card holders. However, you might come up against some former professionals who enjoy keeping their skills sharp by participating in these events.
In fact, we’ve seen players like Bradley Brooks, who is on the cusp of regaining his Tour Card in 2025, compete in ADC events. While these players may have professional experience, they still enjoy competing alongside amateurs and newcomers.
The ADC is designed to create a competitive environment for players of all levels, so you’ll mostly be matched with opponents of similar skill, giving you a great opportunity to improve and challenge yourself.
Have you played in the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) before or plan to this year?
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