The 2026 PDC Challenge Tour roared into action in Milton Keynes, bringing together over 340 aspiring darts players without a coveted Tour Card. After a marathon 12-hour opening day, two English talents emerged victorious: Tommy Lishman clinched his maiden title in the first event, followed by Joe Hunt securing his second career Challenge Tour triumph. These crucial early wins set the stage for players hoping to earn spots in the prestigious Players Championship events, though German participants faced a challenging start, with Daniel Klose being the only one to reach the Last 16.
The Battle Begins: A Marathon Day in Milton Keynes
The highly anticipated 2026 PDC Challenge Tour kicked off its season in Milton Keynes, attracting a massive field of over 340 players. These are darts’ rising stars and seasoned professionals looking to regain a foothold in the sport, all competing without a full Tour Card. The Challenge Tour serves as a vital pathway, offering the top-ranked players opportunities to fill vacant spots in the main Players Championship events – making a strong start here incredibly important.
The opening day was a true test of endurance, stretching for nearly twelve hours before the first two champions of the year were finally decided.
Event One: Tommy Lishman’s Breakthrough Victory
The day’s first title went to England’s Tommy Lishman, marking his first-ever career triumph. Lishman’s journey to victory was impressive, building momentum through each match. He started strong, comfortably defeating opponents like Rob Channing (5:2), Joszef Szlanyina (5:1), John Brown (5:1), and Callum Francis (5:2).
- Rising to the Challenge: In the Last 16, Lishman faced a tough test against Jamie Hughes, pushed to a deciding leg before securing the win with a crucial 16-dart finish.
- Consistent Performance: He maintained an impressive 92+ average in his subsequent victories against Luke Smith (5:3) and Lewis Pride (5:4), skillfully fending off match darts in the semi-final against Pride.
- The Grand Finale: Lishman saved his best performance for the final, delivering a superb 99-average display to beat Tommy Morris 5:2. After an initial exchange of breaks, Lishman held his throw to take a decisive 3:2 lead, followed by another break and a 13-darter to seal his maiden title.
Highlights and Surprises from Event One
Event One wasn’t just about the winner; it also featured several other memorable moments:
- Tommy Morris: Despite losing the final, Morris showcased exceptional form, hitting the tournament’s second-best average (107) in his quarter-final match.
- Jack Aldridge: A standout from the recent Q-School, Aldridge immediately made an impact by reaching the quarter-finals.
- Perfect Legs: The day saw two remarkable 9-darters (a perfect game, finishing 501 in just nine throws):
- Veteran Steve Beaton hit one in only his second match on the Challenge Tour.
- Harrison Leigh also achieved this rare feat in the third round.
German Performance in Event One
For the 22 German players, the start was subdued:
- Daniel Klose: The Ansbach native was the sole German to reach the Last 16, maintaining consistent averages around the 90-mark. He ultimately fell 2:5 to Luke Smith after a crucial break against him.
- Florian Preis & Marvin Gemein: Both managed to make it into the Last 32 on their first attempt.
- Kevin Troppmann & Rowby-John Rodriguez: Reached the Last 64, securing £100 in prize money.
Event Two: Joe Hunt Secures His Second Challenge Tour Title
As the evening drew to a close, Joe Hunt claimed his second career Challenge Tour title, building on a previous victory mid-last year. Hunt displayed remarkable consistency throughout the long day, with only one average dipping below 90 across nine matches.
- A Resilient Path: Hunt comfortably dispatched early opponents. A potential early exit against Andy Hamilton in the Last 64 was averted when Hamilton missed a crucial double.
- Dramatic Comeback: In a thrilling encounter against Matthew Dennant, Hunt found himself trailing 1:4 but mounted an incredible comeback to win, despite Dennant having match darts.
- Dominant Finish: After solid wins against Jenson Walker (5:2) and Dylan Dowling (5:1), Hunt faced José Justicia in the final. mirroring Lishman’s earlier performance, Hunt also came close to a three-figure average, securing three consecutive breaks to lead 3:1. He then closed out the match with a decisive 12-darter against the throw, sealing his second title.
DACH Region’s Struggles Continue in Event Two
The second tournament also saw limited success for players from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region):
- Each of the DACH countries had one representative reach the Last 32, but no further.
- Dragutin Horvat: Lost 4:5 to Oliver Mitchell.
- Patrick Tringler: Narrowly missed the Last 16, losing to a strong José Justicia in a deciding leg.
- Marcel Walpen: The Swiss player, who had earlier defeated Alan Norris, was eliminated by Robbie Martin.
- Three more German players – Patrick Klingelhöfer, David Jeske, and Carsten Hoffmann – reached the Last 64 and the prize money ranks.
The Early Leaderboard: Challenge Tour Order of Merit
After the first two tournaments, the Challenge Tour Order of Merit is taking shape:
- 1st Place: Tommy Lishman with £3,100.
- 2nd Place: Joe Hunt, the other day’s winner.
- 3rd & 4th Place: Occupied by the losing finalists, Tommy Morris and José Justicia.
- Best German: Daniel Klose currently sits at 30th position.
What’s Next?
The action continues in Milton Keynes with two more Challenge Tour tournaments scheduled for tomorrow, promising more thrilling darts as players battle for crucial ranking points and a shot at the main tour.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
