After a period away from the professional darts scene, Spanish star Cristo Reyes has made an astonishing return, captivating fans and proving his talent once again. He dramatically qualified for the 2026 PDC World Championship, swiftly regained his coveted Tour Card, and has since been a standout performer on the Euro Tour. His recent successes include defeating top-ranked players and a rapid climb up the Order of Merit, positioning him as a serious contender for major tournaments.
A Return from the Shadows
Once a familiar face on the PDC circuit, Cristo Reyes seemed to vanish from the darting landscape. However, his reappearance was nothing short of spectacular. He burst back onto the scene by qualifying for the prestigious 2026 PDC World Championship. At the event, he delivered a highly credible performance against Gian van Veen, signaling that his time away had not dulled his competitive edge. Following this impressive showing, Reyes successfully navigated Q School in Europe to reclaim his professional Tour Card, much to the delight of darts fans.
The return of a Spanish player of Reyes’ caliber, coupled with his strong past performances, generated considerable excitement among the darts community, eager to see what he could achieve in his second act.
Navigating the Early Stages
Reyes’ journey back wasn’t without its initial hurdles. He faced challenges in the early tournaments, including:
- Failing to reach the televised stages of the Winmau Masters, winning one preliminary game but losing the next.
- Experiencing a first-round exit in Player’s Championship 1.
- Showing improvement in Player’s Championship 2, advancing through two rounds before being defeated by the formidable Gerwyn Price.
- Continuing his upward trend in Player’s Championship 3, where he progressed through three rounds.
- A subsequent first-round exit in Player’s Championship 4.
Euro Tour Brilliance: Reyes Ignites the Stage
It was on the Euro Tour where Cristo Reyes truly began to shine, demonstrating the form that had once made him a fan favorite. He successfully qualified for both Euro Tour 1 (ET1) and Euro Tour 2 (ET2), marking a significant achievement.
His performance at ET1, the Poland Darts Open, was particularly outstanding. Reyes not only advanced to the final day by winning two crucial rounds but also secured impressive victories along the way:
- He defeated European Tour winner Niko Springer.
- In a standout match, he overcame Euro Tour finalist and current world number 12, Ryan Searle, with a dominant 6-2 win and an impressive 99 average.
With nothing to lose, he was set to face Josh Rock in the last 16, continuing to defy expectations. Beyond ET1 and ET2, Reyes also qualified for Euro Tour 3, narrowly missing out on qualification for ET4.
Rapid Ascent: A Force to Be Reckoned With
Cristo Reyes’ rapid progress since regaining his Tour Card is remarkable. He has already climbed to 94th on the PDC Order of Merit, a testament to his consistent performances and strong results. This position makes him the highest-ranked among all new Tour Card holders, highlighting his exceptional start to the season.
Furthermore, Reyes currently sits at the top of the Pro Tour Order of Merit qualification standings for the World Championship, putting him in an excellent position to secure his spot in the sport’s biggest event. His impressive prize money earnings also place him less than £4000 away from qualifying for the prestigious Grand Prix, underscoring his potential to compete in another major televised tournament very soon.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
