The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals field is now complete! Rob Cross, Kevin Doets, Karel Sedlacek, and Callan Rydz fought their way through a tough qualifier in Leicester, securing the final four spots for the prestigious tournament in Amsterdam. This year’s competition promises high drama, with defending champion Michael van Gerwen and world number one Luke Littler headlining the event, but not without some major upsets as several top players failed to qualify.
The Road to Amsterdam: A Battle of Nerves and Skill
Following the excitement of the Australian Darts Masters, the Mattioli Arena in Leicester hosted the crucial Tour Card Holder Qualifier. This event offered the final chance for professional dart players to earn a coveted spot in the £450,000 World Series of Darts Finals. A formidable field of ninety-one players competed fiercely for just four available places, making it one of the most intense qualification battles of the year.
Meet the Qualifiers: New Faces and Returning Stars
After a day of high-stakes matches, four players emerged victorious, each securing their ticket to the AFAS Live in Amsterdam:
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Rob Cross: ‘Voltage’ Strikes Again
The 2020 runner-up will make his eighth appearance at the World Series Finals, demonstrating his consistent top-tier performance. Cross showcased his dominance with a commanding 6-0 victory over Carl Sneyd, followed by a solid 6-2 win against Brendan Dolan. He then edged past former world champion Peter Wright in a tense last-leg decider before sealing his qualification with a 6-3 triumph over World Matchplay semi-finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode. -
Kevin Doets: Dutch Delight
Dutchman Kevin Doets earned his third successive appearance at the Finals. His path included a remarkable comeback from 5-4 down to beat Ricky Evans 6-5. He then overcame Andrew Gilding before securing his spot with a 6-3 win against Maik Kuivenhoven, much to the delight of his home nation fans. -
Karel Sedlacek: Czech Republic Makes Its Mark
Czech number one Karel Sedlacek is set to make his highly anticipated World Series of Darts Finals debut. Sedlacek impressed throughout the day, backing up successive ton-plus averages against Jimmy van Schie and Ryan Meikle. He delivered a phenomenal performance in his winner-takes-all last-eight clash, securing a 6-4 victory over Owen Bates with an outstanding 105.22 average. -
Callan Rydz: ‘The Riot’ Roars Through
Callan Rydz completed the qualifying quartet, also making his maiden appearance in Amsterdam. The North-East player displayed incredible resilience, navigating through five tough matches. His impressive run included significant victories over Niko Springer, Rob Owen, and ultimately securing his place by defeating former World Grand Prix winner Daryl Gurney.
The Giants Who Fell Short
The competitive nature of darts means not everyone can win, and the qualifier saw several high-profile names face early exits, highlighting the depth of talent in the sport:
- Top seed Luke Woodhouse was narrowly defeated in a last-leg decider.
- Former world champions Peter Wright and Raymond van Barneveld fell short against Rob Cross and Dirk van Duijvenbode, respectively.
- German number one Martin Schindler and former World Grand Prix winner Mike De Decker exited in their opening matches.
- Other notable casualties included 2022/23 world champion Michael Smith, Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, Ricardo Pietreczko, and fan-favourite Dave Chisnall.
What to Expect at the Finals
With these four qualifiers completing the 32-player field, the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals is set for an unforgettable showcase of talent. The event will take place at the iconic AFAS Live in Amsterdam from 17-20 September. Darts fans can look forward to seeing the sport’s biggest stars compete for the prestigious title and a staggering £100,000 top prize. Headlining the stellar line-up are defending champion and top seed Michael van Gerwen, alongside the phenomenal world number one Luke Littler, promising a thrilling spectacle of darts excellence.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
