The PDC Q-School 2026 concluded with immense drama, seeing a new wave of talent and seasoned veterans secure their coveted Tour Cards for the professional circuit. German players Pascal Rupprecht and Marvin Kraft fought their way onto the Pro Tour, while rising star Mika Donnevert narrowly missed out in a nail-biting final. Across both European and UK Q-Schools, iconic names like Mervyn King and Charlie Manby also clinched their spots, alongside emerging talents such as Jurjen van der Velde, Adam Gawlas, Samuel Price, and Tyler Thorpe, promising an exciting future for professional darts.
European Q-School: German Duo Shines Amidst High Drama
The European Q-School in Milton Keynes delivered its usual dose of tension and triumph. For German darts, it was a particularly successful event, with two players earning their way onto the prestigious Pro Tour.
Pascal Rupprecht’s Dramatic Return
Pascal Rupprecht is back on the Pro Tour, but his qualification came with a twist of fate involving his old rival, Boris Krcmar. Rupprecht, who missed his 2024 World Championship debut because Krcmar checked out 124 on the bull in a decisive match, found Krcmar to be his unlikely saviour this time. Despite playing brilliantly, averaging over 90 against multiple opponents, Rupprecht lost his quarter-final match to Jeffrey de Zwaan 5-6, after holding a 5-2 lead. The pressure was then on Krcmar to win his match against Gilbert van der Meijden, which he ultimately did. With de Zwaan then winning the final against Mika Donnevert, Rupprecht secured his Tour Card through the Order of Merit (ranking points).
Marvin Kraft: A New German Star Emerges
Marvin Kraft became the fourth German to secure a Tour Card at the 2026 Q-School. The 25-year-old Bavarian impressed with a whitewash victory against Rene Steinhauer and a comfortable win over David Cameron. He sealed his spot through the Order of Merit with a crucial decider win against Liam Maendl-Lawrance. Kraft, who reached a Development Tour final in 2023, is now set to compete among the sport’s elite.
Mika Donnevert’s Heartbreaking Near Miss
Rising German talent Mika Donnevert came agonisingly close to securing his Tour Card, reaching the final of the daily event. After an impressive run, including victories over Patrick Bulen, Jarod Becker, and even “The Special One” José de Sousa, Donnevert faced Jeffrey de Zwaan in the final. Despite a strong performance, he succumbed to de Zwaan’s superior average (93) and lost 2-6, leaving a couple of two-dart finishes on the board. While a tough defeat, Donnevert’s performance has generated significant hope for his future in darts.
Key Qualifiers from European Q-School
- Sietse Lap: Won a crucial daily final against Boris Krcmar, securing his Tour Card directly.
- Jurjen van der Velde: Showed incredible resilience, surviving match darts twice on the final day to earn enough ranking points.
- Adam Gawlas: The Czech talent also secured a Tour Card, admitting a stroke of luck after narrowly escaping elimination in his first-round match.
- Chris Landman: Quickly confirmed his return to the Pro Tour after a brief absence following the World Championship.
- Benjamin Pratnemer: Made history as the first Slovenian player to earn a PDC Tour Card.
- Alexander Merkx: Will bolster the already strong Dutch contingent on the tour.
- Jimmy van Schie: Had already secured his spot via the ranking before the final day’s play.
Notable Players Who Missed Out
The Q-School is unforgiving, and several big names failed to secure a Tour Card:
- Michael Unterbuchner (“T-Rex”)
- José de Sousa (“The Special One”)
- David Cameron
- Ron Meulenkamp
- Andy Baetens
- Matt Campbell
UK Q-School: Legends Return, Newcomers Shine
The UK Q-School also delivered its share of unforgettable moments, with established stars making their comeback and new faces breaking through.
Charlie Manby: “Champagne” on the Tour
Charlie Manby, known as “Champagne” and a World Championship Last 16 qualifier, unleashed his best darts on the final day to secure his first-ever Tour Card. He overcame Matthew Dennant in a decider and then produced a stunning 103 average against Daniel Ayres. His decisive 6-4 victory over darts legend Steve Beaton ensured his spot on the Order of Merit, though he went on to win the day’s final against Mervyn King.
Samuel Price: The Unexpected Qualifier
The qualification of Samuel Price was a genuine surprise. Hailing from Coventry, Price had not previously made a significant impact outside of Q-School. However, he defeated notable players like George Killington and Arron Monk, even throwing a 102 average against Derek Coulson. In a tense final against Lewis Pride, Price secured his Tour Card with a double 5 finish in a nervous last leg.
Mervyn King: “The King” is Back
A true legend of the sport, Mervyn King, successfully fought his way back onto the Pro Tour. Following a strong year on the Challenge Tour, “The King” earned the crucial points needed on the final day to claim his Tour Card via the Order of Merit, much to the delight of his fans.
Other Key Qualifiers from UK Q-School
- Stephen Burton: Justified his return with a strong tournament performance, having recently qualified for the World Championship.
- Tyler Thorpe: A promising young English talent, secured his Tour Card via the Order of Merit after an impressive run to the quarter-finals.
- Stephen Rosney: The Irish player, who impressed at the 2025 WDF World Championship, secured his professional status with two vital wins.
- David Sharp: The Scottish player secured his Tour Card with 9 points, narrowly staying ahead of Derek Coulson on leg difference after a tense wait.
Veterans and Hopefuls Who Missed Out
The competitive nature of Q-School meant some well-known names and promising talents had to bow out:
- Steve Beaton (“The Bronzed Adonis”)
- Steve Lennon
- Scott Waites
- John Henderson
- Fallon Sherrock
- John Part
- Devon Petersen
The 2026 Q-School has once again reshaped the professional darts landscape, ushering in new talent and celebrating the resilience of returning stars, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
