Floor vs Stage: Do Some Players Perform Better Under the Lights? A Q4QS Analysis of the 2026 PDC Season

 

One of the oldest debates in professional darts is whether certain players are better suited to the Players Championship circuit or the sport's biggest televised stages.

Some players seem to produce their very best performances in front of packed arenas and television cameras, while others quietly build exceptional records on the ProTour week after week.

But is there actually any evidence to support that idea?

To find out, I compared my 2026 Q4QS Knockout Pedigree Rankings from two very different environments:

• Players Championship events

• Televised ranking tournaments

Rather than comparing averages or prize money, these rankings measure knockout success during the 2026 season. I then compared where every player ranked in each list to see who climbed the rankings under the lights and who built their strongest record on the Players Championship circuit.

Before diving into the numbers, there are two important points to make.

Firstly, these are Q4QS Rankings, not the official PDC Order of Merit.

Secondly, this comparison only covers the 2026 season. Players with insufficient participation have been excluded. Most notably, Luke Littler does not feature, having not competed in a Players Championship event during 2026. Without a Players Championship ranking, it simply isn't possible to make a fair comparison.

Biggest Movers Towards the Televised Rankings

The following players achieved a significantly higher Q4QS Televised Ranking than their Q4QS Players Championship Ranking.

Player	Q4QS Players Championship Rank	Q4QS Televised Rank	Movement
Josh Rock	62	6	▲ 56
Ryan Joyce	70	17	▲ 53
Gian van Veen	50	7	▲ 43
Mike De Decker	71	27	▲ 44
Gerwyn Price	43	2	▲ 41
Niels Zonneveld	55	15	▲ 40
Nathan Aspinall	47	9	▲ 38

Josh Rock heads the list, climbing an incredible 56 places between the two rankings. Ryan Joyce also makes a huge leap, while Gian van Veen continues to strengthen his reputation whenever the biggest tournaments come around.

Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall are perhaps less surprising. Both have built reputations over many years as players capable of producing some of their very best darts on the sport's biggest stages.

Biggest Movers Towards the Players Championship Rankings

These players recorded considerably stronger Q4QS Players Championship Rankings than their televised rankings.

Player	Q4QS Players Championship Rank	Q4QS Televised Rank	Movement
Andrew Gilding	5	29	▼ 24
Chris Dobey	2	20	▼ 18
Gary Anderson	30	40	▼ 10
Kevin Doets	3	12	▼ 9
Wessel Nijman	1	8	▼ 7
Luke Woodhouse	4	11	▼ 7
James Wade	9	13	▼ 4

Wessel Nijman's place at the top of the Players Championship rankings underlines just how impressive his ProTour campaign has been.

Chris Dobey, Kevin Doets and Luke Woodhouse have also put together exceptional Players Championship seasons, while Andrew Gilding's consistency on the floor has been rewarded with a remarkably high Q4QS ranking.

These results shouldn't be viewed as a weakness in televised tournaments. Instead, they demonstrate just how consistently these players have performed throughout the demanding Players Championship schedule.

Consistency Across Both Rankings

Some players don't show a dramatic difference between the two rankings.

Luke Humphries is a good example. While he ranks slightly higher in the televised list, he remains among the elite in both environments.

The same can be said for Michael van Gerwen, whose rankings remain consistently high regardless of whether he is playing on the Players Championship circuit or under the television cameras.

Those players may simply possess an ability to adapt to every environment they encounter.

Why Do The Rankings Differ?

There is probably no single explanation.

One obvious factor is match format.

Players Championship matches are generally played over shorter distances, meaning there is less time to recover from a slow start. Most televised ranking tournaments become progressively longer as the event develops, rewarding players capable of maintaining a high level over an extended contest.

The seeding system may also influence results.

Players Championship events are seeded using the Players Championship Order of Merit, whereas televised ranking tournaments are generally seeded using the main PDC Order of Merit. That can produce very different draws, particularly in the early rounds.

Participation is another important consideration.

Several leading players have reduced their Players Championship schedules during 2026, while others have entered almost every event. That inevitably affects the opportunities available to build a strong knockout pedigree.

Finally, there is the atmosphere itself.

Some players appear to relish performing in front of thousands of spectators, while others quietly produce outstanding results on the ProTour week after week.

Whether that's down to mentality, experience, preparation, playing style or something else entirely is impossible to measure—but it's certainly an intriguing discussion.

Final Thoughts

This analysis isn't designed to say that one player is better than another.

Instead, it highlights where players have built their strongest knockout records during the 2026 season.

Some have climbed the rankings when the television cameras arrive.

Others have quietly dominated the Players Championship circuit.

And a select few continue to perform at an exceptionally high level regardless of where they play.

As with any statistical comparison, there are caveats, but the trends are fascinating—and they raise an interesting question.

What do you think explains the differences? Is it the atmosphere, the format, the draw, the scheduling... or simply the mark of players who adapt to every challenge?

Q4QS Weekly Spotlight – Three Players Who Caught My Eye (week ending 24th July)

 

Every week there are hundreds of matches taking place across the Q4QS coverage area. While tournament winners naturally grab the headlines, they aren't always the only players producing performances worthy of recognition.

Each weekend I'll be selecting three players who have genuinely caught my eye over the previous seven days. Sometimes they'll have won titles, sometimes they'll have produced exceptional averages, and sometimes they'll simply have shown the sort of form that suggests bigger things are on the horizon.

This week's trio all impressed for different reasons. Sam Chance enjoyed a remarkable week by lifting two Vault 18 titles, Sion Thomas continued his outstanding season with another dominant display in South Wales, while Jamie Kay showed the quality needed to compete on the national stage at the UKDA National Finals.

Here are this week's Q4QS Weekly Spotlight selections.

Sam Chance

Player Profile

Sam Chance has been quietly putting together an excellent 2026 season and is establishing himself as one of the most consistent performers on the North Devon circuit. Across 66 recorded matches he has won 49, giving him an impressive 74.2% win rate, while reaching a healthy 67.2 match average.

Two tournament victories and a further three runner-up finishes show that Chance is regularly challenging for titles rather than simply collecting match wins. His recent form has been particularly strong, with nine wins from his last ten matches, and his best performance to date is an excellent 85.89 average.

Consistency is another strength. His overall average and Q4QS average are virtually identical, suggesting he produces his level week after week rather than relying on occasional standout displays. His current nemesis appears to be Daniel Donovan, against whom he has struggled, but elsewhere his record speaks for itself.

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This Week

Sam Chance was impossible to ignore this week after collecting two Vault 18 tournament titles in the space of just three days.

His first success came on 22 July at The Wellington Arms, where he produced arguably his performance of the season. After defeating Neil Ridd and Mathew Hern in the knockout stages, he finished by overcoming Andy Steed 3–1 in the final, averaging an outstanding 85.04. Earlier in the same event he also produced an even higher 85.89 average against Mark Gover.

Not content with one title, Chance returned on 24 July to win another Vault 18 event. His route to the title included victories over Jack Kemp, Neil Ridd, Oscar Yeaman and Matt Lambert before completing a convincing 3–0 victory over Kian Gover in the final, averaging 72.73 in the deciding match.

Winning two events in one week is impressive in itself, but doing so while producing multiple 70+ averages and an 85 average in a final makes this one of the standout weeks by any player in the Q4QS results.

Why he caught my eye

• 🏆 Two Vault 18 titles in the same week.
• 🔥 9 wins from his last 10 matches.
• 🎯 85.04 average in a tournament final.
• 💪 Defeated Andy Steed, Kian Gover, Neil Ridd, Matt Lambert and Mathew Hern during his title runs.
• 📈 Looks to be carrying genuine momentum into the coming weeks.

Sion Thomas

Player Profile

Sion Thomas has established himself as one of the leading players on the South Wales circuit during 2026. With 153 victories from 174 matches, he boasts an outstanding 87.9% win rate, while his 77.99 overall average demonstrates that his success is built on consistently high-quality darts rather than simply winning close matches.

His season record speaks for itself. Thomas has already claimed 13 tournament titles, reached nine further finals, and arrives in exceptional form having won his last ten matches. His scoring power is equally impressive, highlighted by a remarkable 111.33 match average, while multiple ton-plus performances underline the level he is capable of producing when at his best.

Although his current Q4QS card places him just outside the top 1,000, the underlying numbers suggest a player capable of competing with the strongest fields. Victories over highly-rated opponents such as Lee Evans, Stephen Cake and Mike Huntley demonstrate that Thomas is comfortable performing against quality opposition.

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This Week

If there was any doubt about Sion Thomas's current form, this week removed it.

Thomas produced a flawless run to the Vault 18 title at Cambrian Sports Bar in Llanelli, winning every match on his route to the trophy. His campaign began with a stunning 103.66 average against Jack Tompsett before following it with a 100.20 average against Corey Campbell, immediately setting the tone for the evening.

The standard never dropped. Further victories over Darren Bourne, Oscar Bourne, Dylan Holborn, Stephen Bowen and Bobby Short booked his place in the final, where he completed the job with a convincing 3–0 victory over George Jones.

Looking beyond the tournament itself, Thomas has now put together ten consecutive victories, averaging almost 86 across his last ten matches and almost 87 across his last five. That combination of winning and sustained scoring power makes him one of the form players in the Q4QS database.

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Why he caught my eye

• 🏆 Vault 18 champion at Cambrian Sports Bar.
• 🔥 Ten consecutive match victories.
• 💯 Two ton-plus averages (103.66 and 100.20) during the tournament.
• 🎯 Won every match on his route to the title.
• 📈 Averaging 85.95 across his last ten matches, showing elite current form.

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Jamie Kay

Player Profile

Jamie Kay has quietly developed into one of the South West's most accomplished players, combining success on the local ADC circuit with impressive performances on the national stage. His statistics underline that consistency, with 46 wins from 66 matches, a 69.7% win rate and an excellent 83.0 overall average.

An average above 82 across an entire season is no accident, and Kay has already shown he can mix it with high-quality opposition. His season includes a tournament victory, multiple quarter-final and semi-final appearances, and a best average of 103.66, demonstrating the scoring power needed to trouble top-class players.

Perhaps most impressive is the calibre of players he has defeated. Victories over established names such as Callum Goffin, John Henderson, Ryan Furness and James Parkin highlight his ability to compete well beyond local events, while his recent form suggests there is still room for further improvement.

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This Week

Jamie Kay earns his place in this week's spotlight following an outstanding run at the UKDA National Finals.

After opening with a convincing 4–0 victory over Barry Collier, Kay continued his progress with wins against James Tate and Andrew Kateley, booking his place in the Last 32 of one of the strongest fields of the week.

Although his tournament ended with a 4–0 defeat to Jack Johnson, the scoreline tells only part of the story. Kay produced a superb 92.95 average, comfortably his highest of the tournament, showing he was competing at an exceptionally high standard despite exiting the event.

It is exactly the sort of performance that deserves recognition. Winning matches is important, but producing almost a 93 average on a national stage demonstrates the quality needed to compete with some of the country's strongest players.

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Why he caught my eye

• 🎯 Excellent run to the Last 32 of the UKDA National Finals.
• 🔥 Three convincing victories before meeting Jack Johnson.
• 💪 Finished with a superb 92.95 average against elite opposition.
• 📈 Continues to show he can compete at national level as well as dominating regional events

Yesterday's South West Results Round-Up – Friday 24 July 2026

 

Friday was another busy evening on the grassroots circuit, with players competing across Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and beyond as another packed night of Vault 18 action was added to the Q4QS database. While impressive performances came from around the country, the South West once again provided plenty of talking points.

Lee Bradley Claims Gloucester Honours

One of the standout stories came at Vault 18.0 @ Saintbridge Sports Club, Gloucester, where Lee Bradley produced an excellent run to lift the title.

Bradley edged out the in-form Joe Bagguley 3-2 in a closely contested final, denying Bagguley what would have been another Vault success. Joshua Lewis also enjoyed an outstanding evening, recording tournament highs of 93.94 and 85.89 during his run.

Steven Rees Triumphs In Taunton

At Pegasus 68 Club, Taunton, it was Steven Rees who stole the show.

Rees defeated Jack Davey in the final and produced an impressive 96.97 average, one of the best performances anywhere in the South West on Friday evening. Logun Godbeer also enjoyed an excellent tournament with a 90.18 average.

Jim Chappell Wins In Yeovil

There was another strong performance at Bullets Sports Bar, Yeovil, where Jim Chappell lifted the Vault 18 title.

Chappell defeated Daren Field in the final and also posted a superb 96.97 average earlier in the evening. Zac Rendell impressed throughout the tournament with a pair of 80+ averages.

Neil Meneer Continues His Excellent Form

The standard remained high in Bodmin, where Neil Meneer defeated Jamie Kay to win the Vault 18 event at St Breward AFC & Social Club.

Jamie Kay produced several outstanding performances, including a 93.94 average, but Meneer proved too strong when the title was on the line.

Joe Quiney Tops Strong Field At Evesham

At The Bengeworth, Evesham, Joe Quiney continued his fine run of form with another Vault 18 title.

Pete Hughes produced a superb 103.66 average during the evening, but Quiney was outstanding throughout and finished the job with victory in the final.

More South West Winners

There were further victories for:

• 🏆 Alfie Yarrow – Dorchester
• 🏆 Sam Chance – Ilfracombe
• 🏆 Al Ayres – Sturminster
• 🏆 Tammy Jones – WADC Vault at Evesham

South West Performances That Caught My Eye

Several players produced exceptional darts despite not winning their events.

• 🎯 Pete Hughes – 103.66
• 🎯 Steven Rees – 96.97
• 🎯 Jim Chappell – 96.97
• 🎯 Jamie Kay – 93.94
• 🎯 Joshua Lewis – 93.94
• 🎯 Robbie Martin – 96.97 despite finishing runner-up in Dorchester.

Looking Ahead

With another busy Saturday schedule to come, momentum is beginning to build across the region. Friday's results showed once again just how competitive the South West circuit has become, with established names continuing to win titles while plenty of challengers are pushing them all the way.

Congratulations to all of Friday's winners and everyone who took to the oche.

Remember if you want to see live scores from further afield (Wales,Midlands,South Ease,Sout, South West England) then head to the section in the main menu that says 'Darts Score,Results and Vidiprinter. Live Vidiprinter in action every evening!

Country Spotlight: Norway

 

Here is another country on the weekly feature called Country Spotlight.

Each week I take a closer look at a different darts nation from around the world. Some have a rich history in the sport, while others are steadily building their reputation on the international stage.

This week, the spotlight turns to Norway.

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Where is Norway?

Situated on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway is renowned for its breathtaking fjords, dramatic mountain landscapes and the spectacular Northern Lights.

Home to around 5.6 million people, Norway consistently ranks among the world's happiest and highest-quality countries to live in. While winter sports dominate the headlines, darts has quietly established itself as one of the country's fastest-growing indoor sports.

Today, Norwegian players are becoming increasingly familiar names on both the WDF and PDC Nordic & Baltic circuits.

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Growing the Game

Norwegian darts has developed significantly over the last decade.

The Norwegian Darts Association has helped expand the sport through regional leagues, national ranking events and opportunities for players to compete internationally.

More Norwegian players are now travelling across Europe to gain experience against stronger opposition, helping to raise standards throughout the country.

While Norway may not yet have the depth of neighbouring Denmark, the progress made in recent years has been impressive.

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Norway on the International Stage

Norway regularly competes in the WDF Europe Cup, WDF World Cup and PDC Nordic & Baltic Tour.

Although the nation is still searching for a major international breakthrough, Norwegian players continue to improve through regular competition against some of Europe's strongest talent.

The country is beginning to establish itself as one of the more competitive nations within the Nordic region.

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Players to Watch

Norway's leading current player is Cor Dekker, whose performances demonstrate that Norwegian darts now has a player capable of competing at a genuinely high professional level.

The Q4QS database currently contains 88 recorded matches, with 45 victories, an overall match average of 89.69, a Q4QS Average of 89.52 and an outstanding best recorded average of 102.49. During 2026 he has also recorded victories over established professionals including Andrew Gilding, Danny Noppert and Kim Huybrechts, highlighting the standard he is capable of producing.

Another player enjoying a solid season is Kent Jøran Sivertsen. Across 17 recorded Q4QS matches, he has won 7, producing a Q4QS Average of 75.78 with a best recorded average of 85.48. His regular appearances on the PDC Nordic & Baltic Tour show the increasing depth of Norwegian darts.

Robert Wagner is another well-known Norwegian international. While the current Q4QS database contains only a single recorded match, his experience means he remains an important figure within Norwegian darts and someone many fans will recognise.

As the Q4QS database continues to expand, I'll continue to track Norway's leading players and the next generation aiming to make their mark on the international stage.

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Why Norway Matters

Norway represents one of the most steadily improving nations in Nordic darts.

The country has invested in player development, increased international participation and strengthened its domestic competition, creating a platform for future success.

With players now regularly testing themselves against stronger opposition, Norwegian darts appears to be moving firmly in the right direction.

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Looking Ahead

The future looks encouraging.

With experienced internationals leading the way and more young players gaining valuable experience on the Nordic & Baltic Tour, Norway has every opportunity to continue climbing the European rankings.

A major international breakthrough may not be too far away.

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Q4QS Darts Nation Rating

Current Strength: 7/10

Participation: 7/10

International Success: 6.5/10

Future Potential: 8/10

Overall Q4QS Nation Rating: 7/10

Norway continues to strengthen its position within Nordic darts. While there is still ground to make up on the region's traditional powerhouses, the foundations are firmly in place for continued progress.

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Useful Links

Norwegian Darts Association

https://dartnorge.no

World Darts Federation

https://dartswdf.com

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Coming Next...

The Country Spotlight series continues next week as I explore another fascinating darts nation from around the world.

Yesterday's Grassroots Darts Round-Up – 23 July 2026

 Thursday is always one of the busiest nights of the week on the grassroots circuit, and yesterday was no exception. I added 42 tournaments to the Q4QS database, with hundreds of players competing across England and Wales in Vault 18 events, local leagues, round robins and junior competitions.

The evening produced some outstanding performances, with several players breaking the 100-average barrier and plenty of familiar names continuing their excellent recent form.

Robbie Long Continues His Incredible Run

One of the standout stories came at Hangar61, where Robbie Long defeated Cori Wiltshire 3-2 in a closely fought final.

Robbie's recent form has been exceptional and another tournament victory continues an impressive winning streak. Although Ashton Brown recorded the highest average of the night at the venue with 105.68, Robbie produced two 96+ averages on his way to lifting the trophy, showing both scoring power and consistency.

Andy Steed Claims Plymouth Honours

At Vault 18.0 @ Legends Lounge, Plymouth, Andy Steed enjoyed another excellent evening, defeating Finlay Cleave 3-0 in the final.

Steed also produced the highest average of the tournament at 91.09, underlining why he continues to be one of the strongest performers in the South West.

Robbie Martin Stars In Yeovil

The performance of the night in the South West arguably belonged to Robbie Martin, who won the Vault 18.0 event at Yeovil Labour Club.

Martin defeated Mike Harper in the final and produced a superb 111.33 average, one of the highest recorded anywhere in the country during Thursday's action.

Henry Cooper Hits A Huge Average

The highest average recorded across all competitions came from Henry Cooper, whose incredible 115.62 average helped him win the Vault 18.0 event at The Kings Arms, Wallisdown.

It's a performance that will certainly catch plenty of attention and demonstrates the quality regularly being produced on the grassroots circuit.

Other Notable Winners

Elsewhere there were victories for:

• Johnny Haines at Farnborough.
• Jamie Kelling at Andover.
• Jack Seymour at Locks Heath.
• Lee McNulty at Fareham.
• Pete Hughes at Worcester.
• Keith Selby and Brandon Appleby in the two Crawley Green events.
• Shane Turner at Bradmoor Farm.
• Bryan Flew at Brynmawr.
• Sion Thomas at Llanelli.
• Dean Reynolds at Cardiff.
• Craig Gaynor at Faringdon.

Standout Performances

A number of players produced outstanding individual averages during the evening.

• Henry Cooper – 115.62
• Joseph James Blunt Quiney – 111.33
• Robbie Martin – 111.33
• Lloyd Walker – 107.36
• Ashton Brown – 105.68
• Stuart Dutton – 104.86
• James Richardson – 104.42
• Sion Thomas – 103.66
• Joey Cole – 103.66

Looking Ahead

With another busy weekend of darts just around the corner, there will be plenty more opportunities for players to climb the Q4QS rankings.

As always, congratulations to everyone who picked up titles, reached finals or produced personal best performances,

Q4QS Yesterday's Results South and South West – 22 July 2026

A busy Wednesday night as Vault 18 rolls on

Wednesday nights continue to be one of the busiest evenings on the grassroots darts calendar, with another 56 tournaments added to the Q4QS database covering local leagues, Under-55 competitions, JDC events and the ever-growing Vault 18 circuit.

From a South West perspective there was plenty to catch the eye, with familiar names continuing their excellent recent form alongside several new winners adding valuable ranking points.

Neil Meneer continued his impressive season by taking the Vault 18 event in Bodmin, overcoming Troi Day in the final. Meneer has been one of the most consistent performers in the region throughout 2026 and another title only strengthens his position.

At the Magpies Social Club in Stonehouse, Josh McCarthy claimed another Vault title after defeating Mitch McCarthy in the final. McCarthy also produced the highest average of the evening at the venue, highlighting another strong all-round performance.

There was success in Dorset too, where Dale Mills edged Steve Stone in a deciding leg to win the Stalbridge Vault, while Lee Evans lifted the Salisbury title after overcoming Carlton Hope in the final.

Further south, Sam Chance produced another excellent display to defeat Andy Steed in Ilfracombe, while Sean Penney came through a competitive field at The Kings Arms in Wallisdown.

Outside the Vault circuit, Dave Fisher claimed victory in Week 3 of the Pawlett Pavilion Grand Prix after a closely fought final against David Williams.

The junior game also enjoyed another busy evening. Exeter's JDC VOLTS event was won by Joseph Lauridsen, while Ethan Williams, Oliver Williams, James Prettyjohn and Rhys Evans all collected victories elsewhere around the country.

Highest averages of the day

The standard was exceptionally high across the country with several players breaking the 100 average barrier.

Leading the way was Daniel Astbury, who produced a superb 107.36 average at the Telford Vault. Stuart Dutton (104.86), Shane Turner (103.66), Clayton Ford (103.66), Keenan Thomas (103.66), Bryan Flew (102.48) and Sean Holley (101.11) also enjoyed outstanding performances.

As always, these nightly events continue to demonstrate the strength and depth of grassroots darts across the UK, with established names maintaining their form while new players continue to make their mark. 

Yesterday's Results Round-Up – 21 July 2026

 

Another busy evening of grassroots darts saw 49 tournaments added to the Q4QS database, with action stretching from local round robins and ADC Vault events to junior competitions across the UK.

Closer to home, Liam Moore enjoyed another excellent night at Tuesday Night Sub 70 Average Round Robin at DartAsylum HQ, defeating Dan Cornes 3-1 in the final to continue his impressive recent run of form. It was another reminder of why he's becoming one of the in-form players on the South West circuit, while Dan can also take plenty of positives from another deep tournament run.

Elsewhere in the South West, Neil Meneer claimed the Vault 18.0 title at Elmore Football Club, Tiverton, edging Todd Woodberry 3-2 in a high-quality final. In Chard, Kieran Spurdle lifted the honours at The Choughs Hotel, while Elliot Straughan-Horwood was victorious at the Bristol Vault hosted at Bessellscotts. Joe Quiney also impressed by taking the Bretforton title with several excellent performances throughout the evening.

At Portishead Workmen's Darts, Steve Boundy won the Tuesday Open, overcoming John Maggs in the final after another consistent night's work.

The junior game also enjoyed another busy evening with six JDC VOLTS events taking place around the country. Among the winners were Rhys Evans, Freddie Rowlands, Jack Turner, Ryan Elliott, Lucas Milligan and Jenson Swift, highlighting the depth of talent coming through the ranks.

South West Winners

• 🏆 Liam Moore – Tuesday Night Sub 70 Average Round Robin (DartAsylum HQ)
• 🏆 Steve Boundy – Tuesday Open (Portishead Workmen's Darts)
• 🏆 Neil Meneer – Vault 18.0 (Tiverton)
• 🏆 Elliot Straughan-Horwood – Vault 18.0 (Bristol)
• 🏆 Joe Quiney – Vault 18.0 (Bretforton)
• 🏆 Kieran Spurdle – Vault 18.0 (Chard)