Q School Stage One Summary: Stats, Statements and Stage Two Beckons

 Stage One of Q School is now complete, so it feels like a good time to take stock before attention turns to Stage Two and the chance to secure that elusive PDC Pro Tour Card.

As ever, Stage One gave us a fascinating mix of stories: experienced campaigners finding form at the right time, big names leaving it late, and a few quieter qualifiers putting their hands up as serious contenders.

Stage One – Key Stats

Below are some of the standout statistical performers from Stage One.

100+ Average hitters:

UK Q School

• Highest Tournament Average: Llew Bevan – 93.80

• Most 180s: John Henderson – 27

• Most 140s: John Henderson – 80

• Top Checkout Percentage: Llew Bevan – 50%

European Q School

• Highest Tournament Average: Benjamin Pratnemer – 90.2

• Most 180s: Jeffrey de Zwaan – 20

• Most 140s: Roger Janssen – 62

• Top Checkout Percentage: Jimmy van Schie – 44%

UK Stage One: Experience Shows

In the UK, John Henderson has certainly made a statement. His scoring power was relentless, particularly on Day 3, and his stats back up what the eye test suggested and he looks fully motivated to get back on the main tour. Henderson goes into Stage Two full of confidence and could be a serious factor if that scoring continues.

Llew Bevan also qualified with relative ease and was statistically one of the standout players of Stage One. His combination of heavy scoring and excellent doubling suggests he’s well equipped for the longer grind ahead.

Another former World Champion also looked in good shape, moving through Stage One comfortably and reminding everyone that experience still counts for plenty in this format.

Others had to take the scenic route. Scott Mitchell left it late and was close to elimination before producing a crucial run to qualify automatically in the last 32. John Part did just enough, scraping through as the final qualifier on the Order of Merit. Interestingly, in 2024, the last Order of Merit qualifier went on to earn a Tour Card in Stage Two, so perhaps the omens are good for “Darth Maple”.

Two additional names worth flagging are David Sharp of Scotland and Adam Leek from Australia. Both recorded two 100+ averages during Stage One and arrive at Stage Two quietly dangerous. They may not be headline names, but this is the sort of form that can carry a player deep into the week.

European Q School: Strong Signals Early

Over in Germany, the current WDF World Champion Jimmy van Schie eased through on Day One and looked every bit one of the favourites to secure a Tour Card. Calm, efficient, and consistent — exactly what Q School demands.

Arno Merk and Teemu Harju, fresh from positive performances at Ally Pally, made light work of qualification too. Jeffrey de Zwaan showed signs of being close to his best again, and he’ll be hoping this is the week he earns a return to the Pro Tour after several years at that level.

Two players who have really caught the eye are Ricardo Ulrich and Roger Janssen. Both have looked in excellent form, and sometimes Q School is all about timing. They may well have picked the perfect moment to peak.

On to Stage Two

Stage One has done exactly what it always does: thinned the field, sharpened the focus, and set up four intense days ahead. Now comes the real test — consistency, nerve, and the ability to handle pressure when everything is on the line.

Over the next four days, we’ll find out who has what it takes to join the PDC Pro Tour.

Q School Preview: The Toughest Week in Darts Begins

Q School starts on Monday 5th January, and I’m genuinely excited. It’s arguably my favourite tournament of the year , not because of the glitz or prize money, but because of what it represents. This is where darts dreams are either tested, realised, or heartbreakingly put on hold.

For some players, Q School is simply about seeing where they’re at. A chance to measure themselves against the very best and experience the intensity of elite-level competition. For others, though, it can be a life-changing week , the difference between grinding away on the fringes and earning a place on the PDC Pro Tour.

My own aim is to enter Q School in 2027, and I’d place myself firmly in that first category: someone wanting to test themselves and see how far they’ve come. Fingers crossed that by this time next year, my level is strong enough to justify taking that step.

One of the beautiful things about Q School is that anyone over 16 can enter. It’s a completely open field. That means you’ll see players with very little tournament experience throwing alongside seasoned campaigners who’ve spent years on the Challenge Tour, Development Tour, Women’s Series, WDF circuit , and even former World Championship and major tournament winners. That mix is what makes Q School so fascinating.

How Q School Works

Q School takes place across two venues:

• One in England, predominantly featuring UK and Ireland-based players (though international players often attend).

• One in Germany, mainly made up of mainland European players, again with a strong international flavour.

The competition is split into two stages.

Stage One

Stage One is played over three days, consisting of three separate tournaments.

• The last 16 from each tournament automatically qualify for Stage Two.

• Players who don’t reach the last 16 still have a chance through the Order of Merit.

• Players earn one point for each match won (excluding preliminary rounds), with leg difference also counting.

• Depending on how many players are already exempt into Stage Two, a certain number from the Order of Merit will progress.

• Typically, around four points is enough to get through.

Stage Two

Stage Two features:

• All qualifiers from Stage One

• Players exempt from Stage One, including those who have just dropped off the Pro Tour, and players who performed well on the Women’s Series, Challenge Tour, and Development Tour

Stage Two is played across four tournaments:

• The winner of each tournament earns a PDC Tour Card.

• The remaining Tour Cards are awarded via a Stage Two Order of Merit, usually around 10 in the UK and 10 in Europe, depending on numbers.

Why Q School Is So Unpredictable

Q School can be a real lottery. So much depends on the day:

• Is the draw kind?

• Can a player back up a good performance the next day?

• Does someone have one of those freak runs that completely ignores the form book?

Consistency, temperament, and timing are everything — and that’s what makes the next seven days so compelling.

With all that in mind, here are eight players from each venue that I’ll be keeping a close eye on. I’m not sure how many will make it through, but they’re all well worth watching as Q School unfolds.

Q School UK

Steve Beaton - Great to see the 'Bronzed Adonis' trying to win back his Tour Card. A player that has arguably the most experience in the field, not to mention he is a former World Champion. Still a very good player at his best and will be no surprise to see him qualifying. 

Charlie Manby - One of the favourites to make it through. He has had an incredible year and seems to be improving all the time. His run at the pDC World Championship has put him firmly on the radar, and showed that he would not be out of place on the main Tour. 

Ryan Branley - Ryan has already shown his class on the JDC and now noted as one of the best young players in the world. He has also shown he can compete on the Development Tour and MODUS Super Series and mix it with the best. If he can hold his nerve, he may well come through. 

Derek Coulson - This is someone that those inside darting circles will all be wary of. Coulson has bags of experience, and in 2025, seemed to make the MODUS Super Series his own. Defeating top names on a regular basis, he will have a lot of confidence, and I could see him going close.

Archie Self - Another one of the crop of very talented yongsters coming through. Another that has been JDC World number one, he will want to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors. He has been mixing it with the senior players on the ADC Tour and MODUS Super Series and did not look out of place. 

Gemma Hayter - One of only very few female entries, Gemma comes here as a real contender. She qualified for her first PDC World Championships this year, giving Josh Rock a run for his money. She is capable of consistent scoring and is certainly not there to make up the numbers.

David Davies - This Welsh player has lots of experience on the WDF and Challenge Tours, as well as the MODUS Super Series stage. He also made his PDC World Championship debut this year and made round two, losing only to Luke Littler. He showed his class and calm under pressure. I will be very surprised if he doesn't go close. 

Tom Lonsdale - A bit of a wildcard choice, although he did go very close in 2024. This player is particularly well known in the South West, where he is one of the top players. He has had a decent Challenge Tour season and performed well on the MODUS Super Series stage. If he can get a kind draw, he may surprise a few. Can be a very big scorer. 

Q School Europe

Jimmy van Schie - I will be very surprised if this Dutch player does not make it this time around. The current WDF World Champion showed real class in that tournament and can hit the very high averages. He has loads of experience in pressure situations and I believe this is his year. Definitely one that belongs on the Pro Tour. 

Danny van Trijp - Van Trijp has played on the Pro Tour before and is experienced enough to negotiate his way through again. A good season on the Challenge Tour, he also played well on the ADC Global Tour. He should challenge up to the very last. 

Arno Merk - Not too much was known outside of his native Germany until the PDC World Championship, where he really made a mark and stormed through to the third round. He has played well in the German series events, competing with the best Germany has to offer. He showed he has what it takes and will be riding high on confidence. 

Grant Sampson - With the emergence of African darts, I feel it is important to choose one of the continent's stalwarts. Sampson has lots of experience, and been one of the top Adrican players for several years. He has played in the PDC World Cup and PDC World Championships. Is this his time to shine? I hope so, as it will keep the African darts momentum running at it current rapid pace .

Andreas Harrysson - even prior to his PDC World Championship exploits,e he reached round 4, it seems a big surprise that the big Swede is not a Pro Tour player already. He took the Baltic Tour by storm and has consistently played well at the MODUS Super Series. He can be a very big hitter and should run very close by the end of qualifying

 

Cristo Reyes - It was fantastic to see Cristo Reyes back at Ally Pally in the World Darts Championships. He showed he has not lost his touch, so maybe his hunger for the game has reappeared. Maybe there could be another surge of the Spanish, as they have several names in the draw. Reyes at his very best will go far, so will be interesting to see how he plays. 

Boris Krcmar - This giant Croatian was unlucky to have lost his Tour card in 2024 and will be keen to get back on Tour quickly. He has shown his class at WDF tournaments in 2025 as well as maintaining his outstanding form at soft tip darts (he is a multiple World Champion).. At the PDC World Cup he showed he still has a lot to offer the game and he will go close. 

Petr Krivka - This Czech player is my wildcard choice. He is a quality player and played in the 2025 PDC World Cup. Czechia has a history of producing good darts players, and maybe Krivka can join that list of Tour players. On his day he is as good as most in the field, so with a kind draw and steady performances, we may see him challenging. 

Best of luck to all entrants across both venues!

Practice Update: Grouping, Confidence and an Upward Trajectory

 

One thing I’m really pleased with at the moment is my grouping. The darts are sitting much closer together, and it genuinely feels like progress rather than a short-lived purple patch. I’m fairly convinced this has come from the practice games I’ve been inventing, where the emphasis is on repetition, focus, and hitting areas of the board consistently rather than chasing big moments.

Those drills seem to be doing exactly what they were designed for. The wild darts are reducing, and even when I miss, I’m missing well, which is often the biggest difference between struggling and improving.

Tournament-wise, I know I need to get back into regular competition soon. I may try a Monday or Wednesday event to ease myself back in and then return to my usual routine of two tournaments per week. Match play is still the real test, and it’s important I don’t leave it too long before putting this progress under pressure.

Another interesting development is that my grip has naturally evolved slightly. I haven’t forced it, but I’ve noticed the darts are going in straighter, with less unwanted movement through the air. That’s usually a good sign. My hope is that I don’t revert back under pressure, because it feels like this change has come organically rather than through overthinking, which is exactly what I want.

My trusty Mervyn King darts are still performing well, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted by something new. The Wessel Nijman darts have caught my eye recently; the grip profile looks like it could suit my throw really well. That said, I’m not rushing into anything. I’ll give it a couple of weeks, see how things settle, and then decide whether a switch is genuinely needed.

For now, I’m encouraged. Things feel like they’re moving in the right direction and that’s not something I take lightly.

PDC World Championship Final Preview: Littler vs Van Veen – From Development Tour Rivals to the Biggest Stage

 It feels almost surreal to be writing this. The PDC World Darts Championship final will be contested by Luke Littler and Gian van Veen , two players who not long ago were pushing each other week after week on the Development Tour, dreaming of nights like this rather than living them.

And yet, here they are.

Luke Littler’s route to the final has been built on expectation. Ever since his breakthrough, every tournament has come with the weight of assumption that he should go deep, and once again, he’s delivered. Along the way, he’s had to deal with pressure, tough opposition,tough crowd and the knowledge that anything less than a title run would be seen as a disappointment.

He’s overcome seasoned professionals, navigated tricky moments, and used his experience brilliantly. Matches against established names tested his composure, but Littler did what champions do, he found gears when needed and managed games superbly. For all his youth, he now plays like someone who understands exactly what it takes to win on this stage.

Gian van Veen’s journey, though, has felt different. Quieter. More understated. But perhaps even more impressive.

This year has been a genuine breakthrough for Van Veen. He’s taken huge steps forward, claiming his first televised title, climbing the rankings, and proving he belongs among the elite. His performances throughout this World Championship have been a continuation of that upward curve.

The standout moment for me was his semi-final against Gary Anderson. Many players freeze against a two-time world champion on that stage,but Van Veen didn’t. He was calm, controlled, and utterly unfazed by the moment. He managed the pace, trusted his throw, and never looked like the occasion was getting to him. That composure will serve him well in the final.

What makes this matchup so compelling is their shared history. Littler and Van Veen know each other’s games inside out. They’ve been rivals for years, trading blows on the Development Tour, pushing standards higher with every meeting. There’s no mystery here, just two players who know exactly what the other is capable of.

On the night, Littler will arrive with more big-stage experience. He’s been here before, felt the noise, and understands the mental demands of an Ally Pally final. That matters. But Van Veen has something else - freedom. He’s the underdog, and I suspect the crowd will gravitate towards him, drawn to the calm challenger looking to complete an incredible rise.

This final feels like more than just a title decider. It feels like a marker for the next era of darts. Whether Littler asserts himself once again, or Van Veen completes his remarkable ascent, one thing is certain: this rivalry is only just beginning.

And we might be watching the first chapter of something special.

Back to PDC Marking: Challenge Tour Season Begins

 After a short break, I’m back at it with PDC marking and just in time for the first Challenge Tour of the year in a couple of weeks. 

I always look forward to this one because it’s usually the biggest Challenge Tour event in terms of entries. 

The mix of players is incredible: you’ve got names from last year’s Pro Tour, former world champions, and plenty of fresh faces making their debut.

 That’s what makes this event so exciting, you never know when you’ll see unearthed talent ready to make a splash. The atmosphere is electric, and the level of competition is fierce.

 For me, it’s a reminder of how deep the talent pool in darts really is. Here’s to another great season of Challenge Tour action. Let’s see who steps up and makes headlines this time!

Changing of the Guard? PDC World Championship Semi-Final Thoughts

 As we edge closer to the semi-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship, one question keeps buzzing in my mind: are we witnessing a changing of the guard? 

This tournament has been anything but predictable, and that’s what makes it so compelling. We’ve seen some big names fall early such as Chris Dobey, Rob Cross, Peter Wright and Damon Heta . All gone before the business end of the competition. These are players who, not long ago, you’d have penciled in for deep runs. 

Their exits have opened the door for a new wave of talent, and wow, have they seized the moment. Charlie Manby has announced himself on the big stage, and Ryan Searle looks like he’s finally realising his full potential. But the standout story? Justin 'Happy Feet' Hood. His performances have been nothing short of sensational,especially that match against Josh Rock, where he hit 11 out of 11 doubles. That’s the kind of stat that becomes folklore. 

And then there’s the Littler factor. Yes, we expected him to go far, but the narrative isn’t just about him anymore. Gian van Veen has stepped up in a big way, climbing to world number three and looking every bit a future champion. Add in Gary Anderson, rolling back the years and reminding us that experience still counts for plenty, and you’ve got a tournament that feels like a crossroads moment for the sport. 

Looking ahead to 2026, I think we’re in for more surprises, more new names, and more unpredictability. Forget the 'two Lukes' storyline, this feels like it’s shaping into Littler vs Van Veen as the rivalry to watch. 

One thing’s for sure: darts is evolving, and this World Championship might just be the turning point.

Resetting for 2026: Fresh Goals and Renewed Focus

 First off, apologies for the radio silence.I’ve been away over Christmas and, to top it off, was unwell.

 Thankfully, I’m back to normal now and ready to hit the ground running. The downside? I lost some valuable practice time. So, I’ve decided to reset and start fresh from January 1st. My plan is simple: start from a 50 average and aim to hit high 70s by this time next year. If I can get there, I’ll head into Q School with a half-decent chance of not getting completely thrashed!

 I’ve got a few new practice games on my laptop that have been helping my grouping immensely. My goal is to get them polished and shareable soon—they’ve been a game-changer for me. Now it’s all about keeping control of my mind and trusting that the mechanics will take care of themselves. I did miss signing up for a couple of tournaments, which is frustrating, but I’m planning for my first tournament of 2026 next week. 

Honestly, I’m feeling really positive about my game. With focus and determination, I believe I can raise my levels significantly this year. Here’s to a big year ahead so  let’s make it happen!