The final day of Darts Q-School 2026 is here, and careers hang in the balance. While some familiar faces like Cristo Reyes and Shane McGuirk have already secured their coveted PDC tour cards, many of darts’ biggest names and fan favourites are struggling. From seasoned professionals to rising stars, they face an uphill battle, needing exceptional performances to avoid missing out on a spot on the main tour. This intense day will decide who stays in the professional circuit and who faces a potential setback.
The High Stakes of Darts Q-School
Darts Q-School is a brutal proving ground where dreams are made or shattered. Over several days, players battle it out for a limited number of PDC Tour Cards, which grant access to the professional circuit for the next two years. The pressure is immense, and even the most seasoned professionals can crack under the strain, making the final day the most nerve-wracking.
Who Has Secured Their Spot?
Amidst the drama, some notable players have already navigated the minefield of Q-School to reclaim or earn their place on the main tour:
- Cristo Reyes: The Spanish star powered through with a strong performance on Day 2, securing his return.
- Shane McGuirk: The former Lakeside Champion successfully clinched a PDC Tour Card last night, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Legends on the Brink: UK Q-School Battles
However, the narrative for many big names is far less certain. Here’s a look at some of the best players who are currently struggling in the UK Q-School event in Milton Keynes and risk missing out on a tour card:
The Yorkshire Brickie’s Uphill Battle: Graham Manby
Graham Manby, who captured headlines with his sensational run at the Ally Pally in December before famously returning to his bricklaying job, is in a precarious position. Despite reaching the final hurdle yesterday, two early-round exits on the first two days mean he needs a deep run today – ideally reaching the final two – to secure his card. His potential absence would shock many, but this is the harsh reality of Q-School, where past glories don’t guarantee future success.
The Veteran’s Fight: A Seasoned Pro in 56th Place
A long-time veteran of the sport, who famously appeared in 33 consecutive world championships, finds himself in 56th place. This player, who came out of retirement in 2025 to pursue a main tour return, needs a significant improvement in his average (by 5 points or more) on the final day to stand a chance. It’s a testament to the rising standards in darts that such an experienced player faces such a challenge.
Mervyn King: The Stalwart’s Comeback Bid
Mervyn King, a former stalwart of the professional game, is also fighting to regain his tour card. He likely needs at least two wins on Sunday, combined with favourable results from players above him, to have any hope. King is perhaps the best-placed among former major finalists to rejoin the tour, but nothing is guaranteed in this high-pressure environment.
John Henderson: ‘The Highlander’ Needs a Breakthrough
Former World Cup of Darts winner John Henderson is further down the rankings, primarily due to leg difference rather than points. Despite consistent play over three days, he hasn’t broken through into the qualifying spots. A strong run today is essential for ‘The Highlander’ to bridge the gap against the many players vying for the same limited spots.
Fallon Sherrock: The Queen of the Palace’s Last Shot
Fallon Sherrock, a crowd favourite and women’s No. 2, needs to reach the final two on the last day to secure a tour card. Her average of 81.90 for Q-School 2026 is competitive, but she has been consistently edged out in early stages, often losing out in last-leg deciders. While she would be a welcome addition to the PDC tour, the fierce competition makes her path incredibly difficult, requiring an exceptional performance.
John Part: ‘Darth Maple’ at the Crossroads
Three-time World Champion John Part finds himself in 114th place, a stark reminder of the challenges at Q-School. Early losses each day have limited him to just three points. For ‘Darth Maple,’ winning today’s tournament outright appears to be his only viable route to a tour card, potentially signaling a shift towards a career off the oche, perhaps in commentary or analysis.
Devon Petersen: The ‘African Warrior’s’ Struggle
Devon Petersen, the popular ‘African Warrior,’ has struggled to find his form at Q-School 2026. Despite his determination, a low average of 63 in one match and a minus-10 leg difference mean he’s likely facing ‘better luck next time.’ His presence is missed in major PDC events, but he hasn’t delivered the required performances this week to secure a card.
Richie Burnett: ‘The Prince of Wales’ Fights for His Future
Richie Burnett, ‘The Prince of Wales,’ openly admitted his financial struggles as a motivation for playing, earning admiration for his honesty. However, his current 130th place with only two points means Q-School hasn’t offered a solution. He needs a dramatic improvement of 10-15 points in his scoring today to have any chance of making it through, a truly monumental task.
Jelle Klaasen: The 2006 Champion’s Tough Road
Jelle Klaasen, the 2006 Lakeside World Champion and the only former world champion currently in action at Q-School, is in 97th place. Much like Sherrock and Part, his best chance for a tour card is to win today’s event outright, as relying on points seems mathematically improbable given his current standing. He needs to recapture his championship form immediately.
‘The Special One’: A Steep Climb
For a majestic former major winner known as ‘The Special One,’ the decline has been swift and sad. Currently in 45th place, he needs a Grand Slam-winning level of performance to turn things around. While he’s only a few points shy of the top 8, this would require 37 other players to also falter, making it an incredibly demanding and unlikely scenario.
EU Q-School: Canadian Hopes and Italian Dreams
Across the continent, the EU Q-School also presents its own set of challenges and compelling stories:
Matt Campbell: ‘The Beard to Be Feared’ Under Pressure
Canadian thrower Matt Campbell, who almost secured professional status with his impressive London heroics in December, opted for the EU Q-School. Despite his proven quality in major events, he’s currently in 91st place. This highlights the intense competition, as even a player of his calibre struggles alongside a host of unknowns. He needs at least four wins today to have a realistic chance, a tough ask given the consistent performance of those above him.
Dario Turetta: Italian Hopes Dented
Dario Turetta, ‘il Ture,’ was hoping to prove Italians can excel at darts as well as football. He came agonisingly close to regaining his lost tour card after a stunning comeback from 1-5 down against Jeffrey Sparidaans, even hitting a 170 checkout to force a deciding leg. However, missed match darts allowed Sparidaans back in. After struggling to replicate his incredible 95+ averages yesterday, ‘il Ture’ now needs a deep run today to revive his hopes and avoid another year off the main tour.
The Unforgiving Nature of Q-School
The final day of Q-School is a harsh reminder that even the most celebrated players are not immune to pressure and rising standards. It’s a factory floor where one wrong step can mean saying goodbye to the professional dream, at least for another year. The battles fought today will shape careers and determine who gets to live out their professional darting aspirations, proving that in darts, every throw counts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
