The darts world is holding its breath as we reveal a surprising development: as of late April 2026, several major names, including darts icon Raymond van Barneveld and Belgian sensation Dimitri van den Bergh, are *not* currently in a qualifying position for the highly anticipated World Darts Championship. This unexpected turn of events underscores the relentless competition and the immense pressure on these elite players to secure their spot in darts’ most prestigious tournament. For fans, it means a thrilling race to the finish as these stars battle to avoid missing out on the sport’s biggest stage.
The Race to Alexandra Palace: Who’s Currently Out?
As the qualification window for the 2026 World Darts Championship progresses, the provisional standings reveal some truly shocking omissions. The list of players currently outside the automatic qualification spots includes a mix of seasoned veterans, fan favourites, and promising talents who are all facing an uphill battle to secure their place.
Here are some of the notable players currently on the outside looking in (as of April 28, 2026):
- Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands): A five-time World Champion and a true legend of the sport, ‘Barney’ missing out would send shockwaves through the darts community.
- Dimitri van den Bergh (Belgium): Known as ‘The DreamMaker’, the former World Matchplay champion’s absence would be a significant blow for Belgian darts fans.
- Scott Williams (England): A quarter-finalist at the 2024 World Championship, ‘Shaggy’ has shown he can perform on the big stage.
- Martin Lukeman (England): ‘Smash’ is a consistent performer on the ProTour, but needs a strong finish to guarantee his spot.
- Jeffrey de Graaf (Sweden): Representing Sweden, De Graaf is another player with potential who needs to find form.
- Nick Kenny (Wales): The Welshman is fighting hard to make his mark at the sport’s showpiece event.
- Ryan Meikle (England): ‘The Barber’ will be looking to cut through the competition in the remaining events.
- Bradley Brooks (England): A former Development Tour champion, Brooks is aiming for his first senior World Championship appearance.
- Wesley Plaisier (Netherlands): Another Dutch talent hoping to join the elite at Alexandra Palace.
- Jimmy van Schie (Netherlands): A rising name from the Netherlands, Van Schie is pushing for a breakthrough.
Understanding World Championship Qualification
Qualifying for the World Darts Championship is a complex process, primarily determined by two main routes:
- PDC Order of Merit: This ranking system is based on prize money won over a two-year period. The top-ranked players automatically qualify.
- ProTour Order of Merit: This system focuses on prize money earned from a specific series of tournaments (Players Championship events and European Tour events) within a single year. The highest-ranked players not already qualified via the main Order of Merit secure their spots this way.
- International Qualifiers: Various regional and international qualifying tournaments offer direct routes for players from specific countries or tours.
Players like Van Barneveld and Van den Bergh, who have historically relied on their higher rankings, are now finding themselves in a precarious position, needing strong performances in the remaining events to climb the ProTour Order of Merit or boost their main ranking.
The Road Ahead: What Needs to Happen?
For these struggling stars, the coming months are crucial. They must perform exceptionally well in the remaining tournaments, particularly the Players Championship events and any European Tour events, to accumulate enough ranking points or prize money to secure a qualification spot. Every leg, every match, and every tournament win will be vital in their quest to reach Alexandra Palace.
While some players are battling for World Championship spots, others like Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler are currently making strong pushes in the Premier League Darts 2026, highlighting the different pressures and pathways in professional darts. Van Gerwen is consolidating his position for the play-offs, while Littler is closing the gap on Clayton. This demonstrates that even top players face constant pressure, whether it’s for a major title or simply to qualify for the sport’s biggest event.
The darts world will be watching closely to see if these legends and top stars can turn their fortunes around and secure their places in the 2026 World Darts Championship.
Source: Based on an article from News – Dartsnieuws.com.
