The 2026 ADC Winmau Championship South has reached its thrilling conclusion, crowning new champions and finalising the elite line-up for both the prestigious Grand Finals and the lucrative ADC Global Championship. Despite not winning an individual event this past weekend, Callum Francis secured the coveted South Champion title through remarkable consistency. The final events saw unexpected victors emerge, showcasing the incredible depth of talent in the southern darts circuit, all setting the stage for high-stakes battles ahead.
Callum Francis: The Unseen Champion of Consistency
The standout story of the 2026 ADC Winmau Championship South is undoubtedly Callum Francis, who clinched the South Champion title with a commanding 13-point lead. What makes his victory even more remarkable is that he wasn’t among the individual event winners during the final weekend at Bradmoor Farm. Instead, Francis built his winning campaign on relentless week-to-week consistency, proving that steady performance often triumphs over sporadic brilliance.
His closest rival, Archie Self, finished the season with the highest running average among the top eight players at an impressive 88.36, highlighting the high level of competition Francis had to overcome.
New Faces Crowned: A Testament to Circuit Depth
The closing weekend delivered a clear message about the depth of talent in the South circuit: none of the four titles went to players from the very top of the season’s standings. This indicates a thriving and competitive environment where new stars can emerge.
Event 9: Darren Brown’s Explosive Debut
Making his first appearance of the season, Darren Brown left an indelible mark. He kicked off his campaign with an incredible 98.25 average in the last 256, setting the tone for his dominant run. Brown impressively defeated Archie Self in the quarter-finals with a 90.44 average, then secured a 5-1 semi-final win against Steve West. In the final, he overcame Jack Drayton 5-3 to claim the £1,000 top prize.
Event 10: Ashley Coleman’s Strategic Win
Ashley Coleman seized the second title of the day after a nail-biting 5-4 semi-final victory over darts veteran Neil Duff. He then closed out the final with a convincing 5-1 win against Harry Lane, maintaining a tournament average of 82.60. Notably, Chas Barstow delivered the highest individual scoring of the day, averaging an astonishing 111.33 in a last-256 whitewash, showcasing glimpses of pure brilliance.
Event 11: Jack Drayton’s Sunday Redemption
After his near-miss on Saturday, Jack Drayton went one better on Sunday. He showed immense resilience, surviving last-leg deciders against both Liam Earwicker and Archie Self. Drayton capped off his impressive run with a final-day average north of 94, beating Michael Wiles 5-2 to secure his first title of the season.
Event 12: Roger Crook’s Home Glory
The final event of the season saw Roger Crook deliver the tightest finish of all. In a thrilling conclusion, he edged out Harrison Leigh 5-4 in the Event 12 final. Crook sealed his popular home win in front of family and friends with a nerveless 100 checkout, providing a memorable end to the championship.
The Elite Line-Up: Who Qualified?
With the South season concluded, the qualification picture for the upcoming major tournaments is now complete. Players battled fiercely for their chance at glory.
Qualifiers for Both the ADC Winmau Grand Finals & ADC Global Championship:
- Callum Francis (South Champion)
- Archie Self
- Davies
- Hall
It’s important to note that while these four secured spots in both events, only the top two from each region (Francis and Self from the South) will progress to the highly competitive ADC Global Championship, which features a massive prize fund.
Additional Qualifiers for the ADC Winmau Grand Finals Only:
- Cook
- Slater
- Nicholls
- Barstow
These four players complete the top eight from the South and will join the others at the Grand Finals.
The competition was incredibly tight for those just outside the automatic qualification spots. Ashley Coleman’s Event Ten win propelled him to ninth place with 460 points, while Roger Crook’s title-capping weekend elevated him to tenth with 414 points. Both players showed strong finishes, even if qualification ultimately remained just out of reach, offering great encouragement for future seasons.
The Grand Finals and Global Championship: High Stakes Ahead
The darts action is far from over! The Winmau Championship Grand Finals are scheduled for October 3-4 at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth. This electrifying event will see the top eight players from the South (including Francis, Self, Davies, Hall, Cook, Slater, Nicholls, and Barstow) go head-to-head with the top eight from the North in a thrilling 16-player knockout draw.
Beyond the Grand Finals, the ADC Global Championship beckons for the very elite. This prestigious tournament boasts a staggering £126,000 prize fund, with the eventual champion walking away with a life-changing £20,000. The top four from the South – Callum Francis, Archie Self, Davies, and Hall – will represent their region on this grand international stage, promising intense competition and unforgettable darts moments.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
