The intense First Stage of the 2026 Darts Q-School has concluded, setting the stage for a thrilling Final Stage. A significant contingent of 29 German players, alongside a dominant 43 Dutch contenders, have secured their spots. Darts legends like John Part and John Henderson also navigated the challenging qualifiers, proving that experience still counts in the battle for coveted professional Tour Cards. This article details the key qualifiers, the heartbreaks, and the surprising comebacks from both the European and UK Q-School events.
European Q-School: German Surge and Dutch Dominance
The European Q-School in Kalkar saw a dramatic finish to its First Stage. On the final day, four more German players – Jarod Becker, Matthias Ehlers, Finn Behrens, and Marc Spalt – clinched a daily victory, earning them direct entry into the Final Stage. They join a substantial group, bringing the total number of German hopefuls battling for Tour Cards to an impressive 29 players.
However, the German contingent is still outnumbered by the formidable Dutch, who boast an even larger presence with 43 players. Belgium also shows strong representation with twelve players.
Key German Qualifiers for the Final Stage:
- Direct Winners (Last Day): Jarod Becker, Matthias Ehlers, Finn Behrens, Marc Spalt
- Via Ranking List: Frank Bruns, Luca Wolff, Moritz Hilger, Michael Hurtz, Liam Maendl-Lawrance, Mika Donnevert, Joachim Dürbeck, Sebastian Steinmetz, Fabian Bihl, Cedric Jeske, Mitja Gustorf, Robin Pietsch, Alexander Michalczyk, Kilian Hohnstedt, Yorick Hofkens
- Pre-qualified: Michael Unterbuchner (Challenge Tour), Jannis Barkhausen (Development Tour)
Notable mentions include Florian Hempel, who secured his eligibility for 2026 Host Nation Qualifiers and the Challenge Tour. Switzerland will see Marcel Walpen compete, while Austria’s hopes rest solely on Rainer Sturm.
Heartbreak and Near Misses in Europe
The Q-School is a brutal test, and for many, dreams were shattered. Last year’s near-miss, Marcel Althaus, known as the “Scorpion,” failed to make it to the Final Stage this time, despite a strong start. He was among many players who fell short by just a few points or a crucial leg difference. Other well-known names like Paul Goyer, Krzysztof Kciuk, and Franz Rötzsch also faced disappointment.
In a twist of fate, Czech player David Pisek advanced to the 128-player Final Stage field due to Michael Klönhammer’s voluntary withdrawal. Meanwhile, several players who competed in last year’s Super League, including Oliver Müller, Kimi Seemann, and Jan Schmidt, also exited at the First Stage.
UK Q-School: Legends and Newcomers Shine
Across the Channel in Milton Keynes, the UK Q-School also delivered its share of drama and excitement.
Seasoned Pros Secure Their Spots:
- John Henderson: The “Highlander” consistently reached the final rounds on the first two days and ultimately secured a daily victory on day three, ensuring his passage.
- Scott Mitchell: The 2015 BDO World Champion also claimed a daily win.
- Former Tour Card Holders: Callum Goffin, Wayne Jones, Lee Evans, and Graham Usher, all previous Tour Card holders, successfully navigated the First Stage.
The Remarkable Comeback of John Part
Perhaps the most compelling story comes from Canadian darts legend John Part. As a two-time PDC World Champion (2003, 2008) and a member of the PDC Hall of Fame, Part is eligible to participate in Q-School for free. After two days with no points, his chances looked slim. However, on the final day, he won three crucial matches, securing just enough points and a narrow leg difference of +7 to claim the very last spot on the ranking list for the Final Stage. A true testament to perseverance!
Leading the UK ranking list with an impressive eight points was Ireland’s Killian McCormack. Other notable qualifiers via the ranking list include Jarred Cole, James Richardson, Aden Kirk, and Mark McGeeney.
UK Heartbreaks and Close Calls
Not everyone was so lucky. David Davies, considered a favorite, surprisingly exited early with only one point. Darts veterans such as Kevin Painter, Adam Smith-Neale, Steve Hine, and Adrian Gray also failed to progress. Even more unfortunate were players like Scott Taylor and Joe Murnan, who left with zero points. Alan Norris collected three points but his leg difference wasn’t enough to make the cut. However, six players just below the cut-off, including Kevin McDine and Richie Burnett, will get a chance to fill spots in the 128-player field on days 2-4 of the Final Stage.
The Road Ahead: Final Stage Begins!
The intense battle for professional Tour Cards continues tomorrow, with the first day of the Final Stage of Q-School 2026 kicking off at 13:00 CET. On each day of the Final Stage, the respective daily finalists will earn the coveted Tour Cards, granting them access to the professional circuit. The stakes couldn’t be higher as dreams are made and broken in this ultimate test of darts skill and nerve.
Source: Based on dartn.de.
