Joe Hunt has kicked off the 2026 PDC Challenge Tour season in spectacular fashion, securing back-to-back victories in Events 3 and 4. This incredible double win places him firmly at the top of the Order of Merit, marking him as the player to beat. Alongside Hunt’s dominance, Martijn Dragt also celebrated a significant triumph in Event 4, showcasing his resilience after recently losing his PDC Tour Card. Young talent Jack Aldridge also turned heads with an exceptional performance, hinting at a promising future in darts.
Joe Hunt’s Unstoppable Momentum
Isle of Wight darts sensation, Joe Hunt, has truly set the 2026 PDC Challenge Tour alight, doubling his title count for the year by winning Event 3. This remarkable achievement has propelled him into a commanding lead at the top of the Order of Merit, a ranking system that tracks player performance across the tour.
Event 3: A Champion’s Resolve
Hunt’s journey in Event 3 wasn’t without its challenges. He faced an early scare in the opening Round of 512, needing a **deciding leg** – the final leg to determine the winner – to overcome Joseph Heywood. Despite a slow start, Hunt steadily improved, defeating Andy Courtney before delivering strong performances with **averages over 94** in wins against Frankie Ansell and Matty Washbrooke.
His standout moment came in the Last 32, where the 30-year-old showcased his top form against former PDC World Darts Championship runner-up Andy Hamilton. Hunt delivered a stunning **101.29 average** in a dominant 5-2 victory. He then navigated another tense **last-leg decider** against Chas Barstow, before securing 5-2 wins over darts legends Steve Beaton and Alan Norris. This set him up for his second final in as many days.
In the final, Hunt faced the 2011 PDC World Youth Champion Arron Monk, who had fought through a tough path including victories over Nathan Rafferty, Jack Tweddell, Chris Hurds, Ryan Branley, and Derek Coulson. However, Monk couldn’t halt Hunt’s charge. The former Players Championship quarter-finalist stormed to a **5-2 win**, clinching his second consecutive 2026 PDC Challenge Tour title and the third of his career.
Event 4: Streak Continues, Then Halted
Fresh from his Event 3 triumph, Hunt continued his winning ways in Event 4, extending his impressive streak to **20 consecutive matches**. His phenomenal run was finally brought to an end in the fourth round by Gilbert van der Meijden, but not before leaving an indelible mark on the early stages of the tour.
Martijn Dragt’s Triumphant Return
Martijn Dragt, a Dutch player who recently lost his prestigious PDC Tour Card, has shown incredible resilience and determination. After reaching the semi-finals of Event 2, Dragt cemented his status as a top performer among former Tour Card holders by battling to victory in Event 4. A Tour Card grants players access to all major PDC events, so winning on the Challenge Tour is a crucial step towards regaining it.
From Tour Card Loss to Challenge Tour Glory
Dragt’s path to the Event 4 title involved overcoming a strong field, including fellow former Tour Card holders. He defeated Daniel Klose and Patrick Geeraets in the early rounds, followed by a trio of wins against Englishmen Charlie Symons, Paul Rowley, and Gary Jackson. This propelled him to the semi-finals for the second day running. This time, he wouldn’t be denied, defeating Steve Lennon 5-2 to set up an exciting final against two-time Lakeside world champion Scott Waites.
Waites had also impressed, dispatching Devon Petersen in the opening round before securing wins over Jasper Scarrott, John Brown, and Simon Stevenson to reach the final.
In the final, the 37-year-old Dragt initially trailed Waites 2-1. However, he showcased immense composure, rattling off **three consecutive legs** to take the lead. Holding his nerve, Dragt triumphed with a **5-3 victory**, securing his maiden Challenge Tour title and a significant boost in his quest to reclaim a Tour Card.
Rising Star: Jack Aldridge Impresses
Another player consistently making headlines is Jack Aldridge. Following his stellar form at Qualifying School (Q-School), where players compete for a PDC Tour Card, Aldridge continued to shine. In Event 4, he recorded the **highest average of the event, a remarkable 104.38**, in his opening round win against Jamie Chaplin. His run was eventually ended by Joe Hunt himself, in a narrow 5-4 loss during the second round, where Hunt also posted an average over 100.
Aldridge’s consistent high-level play suggests he is a breakout star in the making, and darts fans can expect to hear his name frequently as the 2026 PDC Challenge Tour season progresses.
Understanding the PDC Challenge Tour
The PDC Challenge Tour is a vital circuit for professional darts players who competed at the annual Qualifying School but narrowly missed out on gaining a full PDC Tour Card. It offers a crucial pathway for these talented players to continue competing at a high level and earn their way onto the main PDC circuit.
The stakes on the Challenge Tour are high:
- PDC Tour Cards: The top two players from the final 2026 PDC Challenge Tour Order of Merit will earn a coveted PDC Tour Card for the 2027-2028 seasons, granting them full access to all Professional Darts Corporation events.
- World Championship Qualification: The top three players in the Order of Merit will also earn a place in the prestigious 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, one of the biggest events in the darts calendar.
The 2026 PDC Challenge Tour is set to continue throughout the weekend, promising more thrilling darts action.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
