Day one of the European PDC Q-School 2026 kicked off with electrifying darts action, as 501 hopefuls vied for a direct route to the Final Stage. A standout performance saw five Dutch players – Jimmy van Schie, Patrick Maat, Danny Blom, Stefan Dees, and Danny Jansen – secure their spots immediately. This early success, spearheaded by former WDF World Champion Jimmy van Schie’s dominant display, sets a thrilling tone. While talents like Jeffrey de Zwaan and Jarno Bottenberg narrowly missed direct qualification, their strong initial showings place them in a prime position for the crucial days ahead, keeping the dream of a PDC Tour Card very much alive.
The Race Begins: 501 Players, One Goal
The European PDC Q-School 2026 commenced with a massive field of 501 players, all with their sights set on securing a coveted PDC Tour Card. Among these determined competitors were 94 Dutch dartists, each hoping to make their mark. The first day was crucial, as a new rule allowed the top 16 players to bypass further qualifying rounds and directly advance to the Final Stage.
Dutch Dominance: Five Secure Early Final Stage Spots
It was a day of triumph for the Dutch contingent, with five players achieving direct qualification to the Final Stage. Their performances were nothing short of impressive:
- Jimmy van Schie: The former WDF World Champion lived up to his billing as a strong favorite. Van Schie displayed dominant form, losing more than one leg in only his opening match. He comfortably secured his spot with a commanding 5-1 victory over Belgium’s Kris Mievis in the final round.
- Patrick Maat: Maat showcased exceptional skill, claiming notable victories against established players like Cristo Reyes (5-4) and Krzystof Kciuk (5-2) on his path to direct qualification.
- Danny Blom: Blom delivered a strong showing, culminating in a 5-1 win against Luitsen Elzinga to book his Final Stage place.
- Stefan Dees: Dees also secured his spot convincingly, defeating fellow Dutchman Jarno Bottenberg 5-2 in a key match.
- Danny Jansen: Jansen completed the Dutch quintet, sealing his direct qualification with a 5-1 victory over Tomislav Rosandic.
These five players now have a significant advantage, having bypassed the initial ranking points scramble and secured their place in the decisive phase of Q-School.
Close Calls and Strong Positions: The Hunt for Points
While five Dutchmen celebrated direct qualification, eight other compatriots came tantalizingly close, missing out by just one victory. However, their strong performances have set them up well for the coming days:
- Jeffrey de Zwaan: Despite missing crucial match darts in his final game against Benjamin Pratnemer, ‘The Black Cobra’ earned three valuable ranking points, putting him in a strong position for Final Stage qualification via the Order of Merit.
- Jarno Bottenberg: Bottenberg’s run ended in a Dutch derby against Stefan Dees, but his performance still contributed to his ranking points total.
- Sietse Lap: Lap impressed throughout the day but ultimately suffered a narrow loss to Marvin Kraft. He too will be looking to accumulate more points.
For players who don’t directly qualify, their progress is determined by ranking points accumulated over four days of play. These points are crucial for earning a spot in the Final Stage.
Beyond the Dutch: Other Noteworthy Qualifiers
The first day also saw strong performances from players of other nationalities. Six German dartists successfully advanced to the next phase, including the talented Arno Merk and former Tour Card holders Daniel Klose, Pascal Rupprecht, and Paul Krohne. Their experience and skill will undoubtedly make the Final Stage even more competitive.
Day One Final Round Results: The Qualifiers
Here are the results from the final matches of Day One, where the winners secured direct qualification to the Final Stage:
- Patrick Maat 5-3 Michael De Meyer
- Benjamin Pratnemer 5-4 Jeffrey de Zwaan
- Jimmy van Schie 5-1 Kris Mievis
- Danny Blom 5-1 Luitsen Elzinga
- Stefan Dees 5-2 Jarno Bottenberg
- Arno Merk 5-3 Michael Hurtz
- Pascal Rupprecht 5-0 Mitja Gustorf
- Danny Jansen 5-1 Tomislav Rosandic
- Florian Preis 5-0 Jiri Brejcha
- Romeo Grbavac 5-2 Gilbert van der Meijden
- Simon Teysen 5-4 Brian Raman
- Marvin Kraft 5-4 Sietse Lap
- Filip Bereza 5-0 Michael van de Ven
- Daniel Klose 5-1 José Justicia
- Teemu Harju 5-4 Jeffrey Keen
- Paul Krohne 5-2 Dennis van Bergen
What’s Next? The Road to a Tour Card
With Day One concluded, the focus now shifts to the remaining qualifying days. While the 16 losing finalists currently dominate the top of the ranking points table, the competition for a Final Stage spot will intensify significantly from tomorrow. Every leg and every match will count as players battle to accumulate enough points or secure a direct qualification to keep their PDC Tour Card dreams alive.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
