Life After Q School: The Complete Guide to Your Next Steps

 It's getting to the time of year, where players want to try their hand at Q School. Many go with the hope of gaining that elusive Tour Card, however only a small amount will actually get one. So, what options are there for those not fortunate to get a Tour Card, and what other avenues are available?

Q School is brutal and brilliant. If you miss out on a Tour Card, your darts journey doesn’t stop. In fact, this is where most players’ real development begins. The PDC system, WDF system, and independent pathways like ADC/MODUS give you multiple ways to keep improving, earn money, gain exposure, and even qualify for televised majors.

Below is the complete guide to what your next 12–24 months can look like, covering all major routes and their pros and cons for the 2025–26 season.

1) PDC Challenge Tour

What it is
The Challenge Tour is the PDC’s official second tier — for all Q School entrants who don’t win a Tour Card. It offers 24 events, £360k total prize money, and acts as the reserve list that feeds top-ups into Players Championship events. The top two in the Order of Merit win Tour Cards, while the highest non-qualified player also earns a World Championship place.

Pros
• Most direct route back toward a Tour Card
• High-standard opposition, very close to Pro Tour level
• Regular top-ups into Players Championships keep you sharp and active

Cons
• Travel and hotel costs across multiple double-header weekends
• No TV coverage (ProTour-style setup only)

2) PDC Development Tour (Ages 16–24)

What it is
A youth pathway for players aged 16–24 who aren’t inside the top 64 on the main PDC ranking list. With 24 events and £360k prize fund, this tour leads directly into the World Youth Championship, Grand Slam of Darts, Tour Cards for the top two, and World Championship places for the top performers.

Pros
• Affordable entry (£25 per event; automatic junior PDPA membership after 5 events)
• Multiple major pathways (World Youth, Ally Pally, Grand Slam)
• Ideal competitive environment for rapid improvement

Cons
• Strict age and ranking eligibility
• Travel required across several UK weekends

3) PDC Women’s Series

What it is
A dedicated 24-event series for women aged 16+ (outside the top 64 of the main PDC ranking). The Women’s Series Order of Merit directly qualifies players for the World Championship, Grand Slam, and seeds the Women’s World Matchplay, whose winner also qualifies for both majors.

Pros
• Direct route to major televised tournaments
• Continually rising standard and visibility
• Matchplay winner gets automatic GS & WC spots

Cons
• Prize money per event is lower than Challenge/Development
• Top end of the field is incredibly strong

4) WDF Tour

What it is
A global grassroots circuit feeding into the Lakeside WDF World Championship, with a total prize fund of £221k (£50k to the men’s champion, £25k to the women’s). Ranking events happen worldwide, with Lakeside broadcast on S4C and YouTube.

Pros
• Accessible anywhere with huge global footprint
• Lakeside retains prestige and offers a genuine world title opportunity
• Flexible schedule

Cons
• Progression to PDC isn’t automatic; success is recognised but not rewarded with a Tour Card
• Media exposure varies depending on event

5) ADC Pathway → MODUS Super Series

What it is
ADC ranking events happen locally across the UK and internationally. Players collect points and can qualify for the MODUS Super Series. This is a weekly televised studio darts featuring non-Tour Card professionals. The new ADC Global Championship has been expanded to £150,000 total prize fund, with £60,000 to the winner.

Pros
• Weekly televised exposure (Pluto TV, YouTube, etc.)
• Great match-play reps under studio lights
• The ADC Global Championship offers one of the biggest non-PDC paydays available

Cons
• MODUS weeks are invite/qualification-based.You must earn your place
• Not a PDC ranking ladder, so no direct route to Ally Pally or Pro Tour

Side-by-Side Comparison (Quick Reference)

Challenge Tour – Best for pushing toward Tour Card quickly; top-ups into Players Champs, solid prize money.
Development Tour – For ages 16–24; Tour Cards, World Youth, Grand Slam and Ally Pally routes.
Women’s Series – Dedicated pathway to World Matchplay, Grand Slam and Ally Pally.
WDF Tour – Global accessibility and Lakeside World Championship opportunity.
ADC → MODUS – TV exposure, earnings potential, and competitive reps.