The 2026 WDF World Championships at the iconic Lakeside Country Club are now set! The final six coveted spots in this prestigious darts tournament were dramatically decided on Sunday, completing the impressive 90-player field. From November 27th to December 6th, fans will witness a thrilling mix of established champions and fresh talent battling for glory across the Open, Women’s, Youth, and Girls categories. This last-chance qualifier proved to be a crucible of pressure, delivering unforgettable moments and securing dreams for six deserving players.
The Dramatic Final Qualifiers
The legendary Lakeside Country Club buzzed with anticipation as the last-chance qualifier unfolded, determining the final six competitors for the 2026 WDF World Championships. These six victorious players now join the 84 darts stars who had already secured their places through a rigorous season of rankings, regional race tables, major tournament wins, and the Las Vegas qualifier held earlier in July. The completion of the field promises an exhilarating ten days of top-tier darts action.
Open Category Thrillers: New Faces for Darts’ Biggest Stage
- Paul Lewis, known as ‘Big Top’, narrowly missed direct qualification through the season’s rankings. However, he left no doubt in the qualifier, securing his first World Championship appearance. In a dominant semi-final performance, Lewis defeated Antony Allen 6-1, showcasing his prowess with two maximums (180s) and a match-winning 93 finish.
- The other highly sought-after Open spot went to Jitse van der Wal. ‘The Frisian Viking’ will also make his World Championship debut after a truly commanding display. The Dutchman delivered a stunning performance, whitewashing Kevin Cottiss 6-0 in the final. His impressive run included an incredible 11-darter and four scores of 140 points or more, earning him the final place in the 48-player Open field.
Women’s & Girls Spotlight: Champions and Rising Stars
- The sole Women’s place was fiercely contested, with Kim Holden emerging victorious. She secured her spot with a solid 6-3 win over Paige Pauling in the final, hitting five 140+ scores along the way. Holden now fills the 24th and final spot in the Women’s field, a category headlined by the formidable defending champion, Deta Hedman.
- In the Girls category, Rebecca Allen sealed her return to Lakeside for her second World Championship appearance. The former Girls World Master demonstrated her experience, beating Olivia Heaton 5-2 in the final. Allen’s performance included a crucial maximum (180) and an impressive eight scores of 100 or more. Interestingly, Heaton had previously won Saturday’s Girls title and had defeated Allen 3-2 in their semi-final match there, making Allen’s qualifier victory a sweet redemption. The Girls field comprises six players, with talents like Paige Pauling and Macy Gibbons, alongside reigning champion Zehra Gemi.
Youth Prospects: The Future of Darts Shines Bright
- Christian Ennis claimed the first of two Youth spots, showcasing remarkable consistency with an average of 84.61 in his 5-3 win over Scotland’s Owen Bryceland. The Northern Irishman had already proven his form, reaching the semi-finals of Saturday’s Lakeside Open, where he averaged an impressive 93.94 in his quarter-final match.
- The second and final Youth place was seized by Cori Wiltshire in a thrilling contest. Wiltshire edged out James Wright 5-4 in a deciding leg, after Wright had mounted a strong comeback. These two young talents now complete the 12-player Youth field, which is led by the reigning champion, Mitchell Lawrie.
Key Players and The Road Ahead
The full roster for the 2026 WDF World Championships is now complete, featuring a blend of established names and exciting newcomers. Mitchell Lawrie not only tops the Youth seeds but also leads the Open seeds, a testament to his rising stature in the sport. Other prominent names among the top four Open seeds include Jenson Walker, Dutch Open winner Paul Krohne, and USA’s Leonard Gates. The field also boasts talents like Matthew Edgar (Hungarian Masters champion), Chris Lim (World Masters champion), and Lewis Gurney, who was the runner-up at Saturday’s Lakeside Open.
The next crucial event for all qualified players will be the official draw. This will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd, and will be conducted by WDF Secretary-General Nick Rolls, S4C presenter Sioned Dafydd, and former Lakeside World Champion Scott Mitchell. Fans eager to see the pairings and potential pathways to glory should keep an eye on official WDF channels for details on where to follow the live broadcast of this pivotal moment.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
