In a surprising turn of events, three prominent figures in the world of darts – Gary Anderson, Stephen Bunting, and Danny Noppert – are currently facing the very real possibility of missing out on the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts. Despite their established reputations and past successes, inconsistent performances throughout the year have left their qualification hanging in the balance, pushing them towards a high-stakes last-chance qualifier or, potentially, an unexpected absence from one of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
The Grand Slam Qualification Battle: Who’s on the Brink?
The Grand Slam of Darts is a unique event, bringing together champions and top performers from both the PDC and BDO circuits (historically, now primarily PDC majors and ranking events). While many spots are secured through winning major tournaments, a few remain open, often decided by a last-chance Tour Card qualifier just before the main draw. This year, the spotlight is on some unexpected names who are yet to secure their place.
Danny Noppert: The Freeze on Thin Ice
Dutchman Danny Noppert, known as ‘The Freeze’, entered the 2026 World Championship as the sixth seed, with high hopes for a deep run. However, his campaign ended prematurely with a second-round exit in an epic encounter against Justin Hood. This early departure set the tone for a year marked by inconsistency.
- World Championship 2026: Seeded 6th, but lost in the second round.
- Major Performance Highlights: Reached the quarter-finals at both the UK Open and the World Masters – his strongest showings.
- Overall Major Performance: In all other major tournaments this year, Noppert failed to progress past the second round.
- Ranking Impact: As a result, his world ranking has slipped from 6th to eighth, and he is projected to be the 12th seed at the next World Championship. His current form puts his Grand Slam spot in serious jeopardy.
Gary Anderson: The Flying Scotsman Grounded?
A two-time World Champion and a true legend of the sport, Gary Anderson, ‘The Flying Scotsman’, reached his eighth World Championship semi-final earlier in the year. Yet, since that impressive run, he has struggled to maintain that elite level of consistency.
Anderson’s year has been a mixed bag:
- Strong Displays: Showed flashes of his brilliance with good performances at the UK Open and World Matchplay.
- Disappointing Outings: Faced early exits and struggled at the World Masters and, more recently, the World Grand Prix.
For many darts fans, a Grand Slam of Darts without Gary Anderson is almost unthinkable. His sheer presence and “name value” usually guarantee a spot or at least strong contention. His current situation highlights the brutal competitiveness of professional darts, where past glories don’t always secure future tournament entries.
Stephen Bunting: The Bullet’s Rollercoaster Year
Stephen Bunting, affectionately known as ‘The Bullet’, also experienced a surprise early elimination at the 2026 World Championship, losing 4-3 in a tight match to James Hurrell. This setback seemed to affect his form for much of the subsequent year.
While Bunting did achieve some notable successes, his overall consistency was lacking:
- Premier League Success: A major highlight was securing two Premier League nightly wins, showcasing his ability to beat the best on his day.
- Premier League Overall: Despite the nightly wins, inconsistent performances on other weeks meant he missed out on the play-off places.
- Major Tournament Struggles: In most other major tournaments this year, Bunting has failed to make it past the third round (with the exception of the UK Open, where he had a later entry point in the fourth round).
Bunting’s journey this year underscores the challenge of maintaining top form across multiple events, leaving his Grand Slam participation hanging by a thread.
The Road Ahead: Last Chance for Glory
For these three stars, the path to the Grand Slam of Darts now likely hinges on the last-chance Tour Card qualifier. This high-pressure event offers a final opportunity to secure a spot, but it’s a brutal knockout format where only the very best on the day will prevail. The prospect of such established names having to fight for their place adds an extra layer of drama to the build-up of the Grand Slam, promising an intense battle for survival.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
