Get ready for a whirlwind week in the world of professional darts, running from March 23rd to 29th (Week 13)! This week features high-stakes action across the globe. The Premier League Darts hits its halfway point in Berlin with thrilling matchups between the sport’s elite. Simultaneously, the PDC Challenge Tour in Leicester offers a crucial platform for emerging talents, especially Dutch players like Martijn Dragt, to earn coveted Tour Cards and World Championship spots. Beyond these, the PDCNB Pro Tour continues in Latvia, and the WDF circuit offers ranking points in the USA and the Faroe Islands. Whether you’re a fan of the big names or scouting for future champions, this week promises unmissable darts!
Premier League Darts: Berlin Showdown
The prestigious Premier League Darts reaches its midpoint this week, with the eighth night of action taking place in Berlin on Thursday, March 26th, starting at 7:00 PM CET. The format for this crucial stage sees players competing based on their current league standings, promising intense battles as they vie for positions in the top four.
Here are the highly anticipated quarter-final matchups:
- Jonny Clayton (1st) vs. Josh Rock (still seeking his first points) – A tough opener for Rock against the league leader.
- Luke Humphries (4th) vs. Michael van Gerwen (5th) – A clash of titans, with both players looking to solidify or improve their standing.
- Luke Littler (2nd) vs. Stephen Bunting (7th) – The young sensation takes on the experienced ‘Bullet’.
- Gerwyn Price (3rd) vs. Gian van Veen (6th) – Van Veen, hopefully recovered from recent setbacks, desperately needs a strong performance against ‘The Iceman’.
This night is vital for all competitors, especially those on the fringe, as they aim to secure a spot in the play-offs later in the season.
Challenge Tour: A Crucial Opportunity in Leicester
The PDC Challenge Tour returns to action with a bang, hosting five tournaments (Challenge Tour 6-10) from Friday, March 27th, to Sunday, March 29th, starting at 11:00 AM GMT each day. Held in Leicester, England, these events are a lifeline for players who don’t hold a PDC Tour Card, offering a direct pathway to the sport’s elite level.
The stakes are incredibly high:
- Two PDC Tour Cards for the top two players on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit at the season’s end, granting them professional status for the next two years.
- Three World Championship spots for the highest-ranked players not already qualified, providing a chance to compete on the biggest stage in darts.
For Dutch players, this weekend is particularly significant. After a quiet opening weekend for most, there’s ample room for improvement. Martijn Dragt, currently ranked second on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, leads the Dutch charge, and strong performances here could propel him closer to a Tour Card. Expect fierce competition as players battle for every point.
Nordic & Baltic Action: Latvia Hosts PDCNB Events
The darts calendar also extends to Latvia this weekend, with the PDCNB Pro Tour 3 & 4 and PDCNB European Tour Qualifier 4, 5 & 6 taking place from Friday, March 27th, to Sunday, March 29th, starting at 10:00 AM EEST. The PDC Nordic & Baltic (PDCNB) circuit serves players from Northern Europe and the Baltic states.
This series of events includes:
- Two PDCNB Pro Tour tournaments, offering ranking points within the region.
- Three European Tour Qualifiers, providing opportunities for players to earn a spot in the prestigious PDC European Tour events.
The overlapping schedule with the Challenge Tour presents a choice for some players, like Andreas Harrysson, who may need to decide which event to prioritize. However, Tour Card holders such as Cor Dekker and Oskar Lukasiak, already secured with their status, can focus purely on these regional and qualifying events.
Global Darts Scene: WDF Tournaments Across the World
Beyond the PDC circuit, the World Darts Federation (WDF) also hosts several international tournaments this week, offering ranking points that contribute to qualification for the WDF World Championship.
Key WDF events include:
- Virginia Beach Classic (USA): A ‘Silver’ graded tournament running from March 26th to 29th, offering significant ranking points for players in North America.
- Faroe Islands Darts Open & Torshavn Open: These events take place on the exotic Faroe Islands from March 28th to 29th. The Faroe Islands Darts Open is a ‘Silver’ graded tournament, while the Torshavn Open is ‘Bronze’ graded, both providing crucial points for players in the region and those traveling internationally.
These WDF events ensure that professional darts action truly spans the globe, offering diverse opportunities for players at various levels.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
