Not that long ago, Spain looked like an emerging force in world darts. There was a moment where it genuinely felt like they were about to push into the same 'rising nation' bracket as Portugal, Poland, and Czech Republic. But somewhere along the way, the momentum slowed.
So where is Spanish darts now — and is a resurgence still possible?
The Golden Spell: Reyes, Alcinas and the 2010 Shock
If you were watching darts in the mid-2010s, you’ll remember the excitement surrounding two standout Spanish players:
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Cristo Reyes – who famously reached the Last 16 of the PDC World Championship in 2015, playing fearless, heavy-scoring darts. He also made TV runs at the World Matchplay and looked, for a while, like he was going to be a long-term Top 32 contender.
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Toni Alcinas – who reached the Last 16 of the World Championship in 2018, and of course was part of one of the biggest World Cup upsets of all time:
Spain beating England (Phil Taylor & James Wade) at the 2010 PDC World Cup of Darts.
That shock result briefly catapulted Spanish darts into the spotlight.
Back then, it felt like Spain was just one good player away from becoming a genuinely competitive nation.
The Current Picture: A Much Quieter Era
Fast forward to 2024–25, and things are… quiet.
The main Spanish names in recent years have been:
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Jes̼s Noguera Рformer Tour Card holder, Challenge Tour winner in 2019. Active, but no major 2025 breakthroughs.
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Jos̩ Justicia Рanother former Tour Card holder, but not active on the Challenge Tour in 2025.
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Tony MartÃnez – Spanish-born, held a Tour Card but without big TV-stage breakthroughs.
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Carlos RodrÃguez – historic Spanish player, mostly competed in the 2010–2015 era.
None of these players are currently making deep runs on the Pro Tour or televised events.
There are also no Spanish winners or top-16 players on the 2025 PDC Challenge Tour or Development Tour, based on all publicly available information.
Outside the PDC: Catalonia Leads the Way
In the WDF system, the top 'Spanish region' player right now is:
Daniel Zapata (Catalonia)
Highly ranked in the WDF Main Rankings, regularly competing across Western Europe. While Catalonia competes separately, Zapata is still a great indicator of talent from the broader Spanish darts ecosystem.
But again , like the PDC picture, there isn’t a large group of upcoming Spanish players pushing into major finals or making huge waves.
Has Spain Stalled?
You could argue that Spain was an emerging nation , but stalled just before they reached the next tier.
Possible reasons:
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Fewer domestic darts tournaments compared to northern Europe
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Less financial support or sponsorship opportunities
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No consistent stream of junior Spanish players entering PDC pathways
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Losing the momentum after Reyes and Alcinas peaked
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Limited TV exposure for darts across Spain
The talent is there, but the structure for long-term development hasn’t quite followed.
A Glimmer of Hope: The JDC World Championship (24 November 2025)
The next big opportunity for Spain could come from the youth system.
The JDC World Championship begins on 24 November 2025, held in Gibraltar ,which is right on Spain’s doorstep.
If Spain enters a team, it could be a huge chance for young players to:
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get international experience,
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compete on a proper stage,
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and possibly become the next Reyes, Alcinas… or something even bigger.
A new Spanish star coming through the JDC system could be exactly what’s needed to get the nation back on track.
Conclusion: Spain Isn’t Gone - It’s Waiting for Its Next Spark
Spanish darts hasn’t disappeared… it’s simply waiting for the next breakout moment.
With the JDC World Championships so close to home this year, and with the pathway into the PDC clearer than ever, there’s no reason Spain can’t rise again. One good junior crop, one special youth player, one fresh run at the World Cup and the country could very quickly become a name to watch again.
