Following the drama of the World Darts Championship, the battle for a place among the sport's elite has begun at the PDC's annual Q-School. This gruelling qualifying tournament sees hundreds of hopefuls, including returning legends, compete for the coveted two-year Tour Cards that grant access to the professional circuit.
What is Q-School and Who Can Enter?
The tournament is open to any darts player aged 16 or over, with the primary requirement being the payment of an entry fee of £475. This sum includes the mandatory DRA sanction fee. The competition is split across two venues: UK, Irish, and Gibraltar-based players head to the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, while other European contenders compete in Kalkar, Germany.
The Road to a Professional Tour Card
The event is divided into two distinct phases. The First Stage, held over the initial three days, consists of knockout brackets for the mass of amateur entrants. Each day, the top 16 players progress automatically to the Final Stage, with others relying on a ranking points system based on match wins to advance.
Some players receive a bye straight to the Final Stage. This exemption applies to top players who recently lost their professional status or who performed strongly on secondary tours like the Challenge or Development Tours.
The Final Stage sees 128 players at each venue battle over four days. A significant rule change for 2026 means that both finalists each day now earn an automatic Tour Card, instantly rewarding a deep run under intense pressure.
Securing a Professional Future
For those not winning a card via a daily final, hope remains through the Q-School Order of Merit. The remaining Tour Cards are awarded based on this ranking, where players accumulate points for every match won during the Final Stage. The highest-ranked players after the final day secure their professional status.
Winning a Tour Card is just the start of the professional commitment. New card holders must pay a further £250 upgrade fee to join the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA). This grants access to lucrative Players Championship events and European Tour qualifiers, setting them on the path to potentially follow in the footsteps of stars like Luke Littler.
The presence of veterans like darts legend Steve Beaton, who has entered Q-School after coming out of retirement, underscores the high stakes and enduring appeal of this gruelling qualification process.
