PDC Women's Series Preview: Huge Weekend Ahead In Wigan

 

The 2026 PDC Women's Series returns this weekend as players head to Wigan for Events 13-16 of the season.

While attention will naturally focus on the race for qualification to July's Betfred Women's World Matchplay, there is plenty more at stake as some of the best female darts players in the world battle for ranking points, prize money and valuable momentum.

The Women's Series has once again produced outstanding competition throughout 2026, with established stars continuing to perform alongside a growing group of challengers looking to make their breakthrough.

At the top of the rankings sits Beau Greaves, who has once again demonstrated why she is regarded as one of the finest players in the sport. Her recent performances against PDC Tour Card holders have only strengthened her reputation and she arrives in Wigan as the player everyone wants to beat.

Former world champions Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock remain firmly in the mix and both have already shown this season that they are capable of lifting titles when at their best.

Gemma Hayter continues to impress with a series of strong performances, while Vicky Pruim heads into the weekend on the back of her Women's Series Event 12 triumph. Both will have ambitions of climbing further up the rankings and securing a place among the sport's elite.

Further down the standings, players such as Karolina Ratajska, Robyn Byrne, Angela Kirkwood and Lauryn Salter know that a strong weekend could dramatically alter their season.

Six To Follow

• Beau Greaves
• Lisa Ashton
• Fallon Sherrock
• Gemma Hayter
• Vicky Pruim
• Deta Hedman

Surprise Packages

• Karolina Ratajska
• Lauryn Salter

Matchplay Race Tightening Up

With only four events remaining before the qualification picture is finalised, every match and every ranking point could prove crucial.

Current top eight:

1. Beau Greaves
2. Lisa Ashton
3. Fallon Sherrock
4. Gemma Hayter
5. Deta Hedman
6. Rhian O'Sullivan
7. Vicky Pruim
8. Kirsi Viinikainen

However, Robyn Byrne, Steph Clarke, Trina Gulliver, Jade Gofford and several others remain within striking distance.

By Sunday evening we should have a much clearer picture of who will be heading to Blackpool, but before then there are four tournaments and plenty of drama still to come.

Country Spotlight: Faroe Islands

 

Each week I'll take a look at a different darts nation from around the world. Some will be countries that every darts fan knows well, while others may be developing nations that are quietly building their place in the sport.

We'll look at the players, tournaments, history and future prospects of each country, while also giving them a Q4QS Nation Rating.

This week we're visiting one of the smallest nations in world darts – the Faroe Islands.

Where Are The Faroe Islands?

The Faroe Islands sit in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland, Iceland and Norway. Although part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the islands govern many of their own sporting activities and regularly compete internationally in a number of sports.

Home to just over 54,000 people, the entire population is smaller than many towns in the United Kingdom. Yet despite their size, the Faroese have built a proud sporting culture that extends well beyond football and handball.

Darts is now becoming part of that story.

A Growing Darts Nation

The Faroese Darts Federation has worked hard to establish the sport across the islands over the past decade.

What makes their progress particularly impressive is the scale of the challenge. With a relatively small population and limited player pool, every international success represents years of dedication from players, volunteers and organisers.

Despite those obstacles, Faroese players are increasingly appearing at international tournaments and gaining valuable experience against stronger and more established darts nations.

A Remarkable Rise

The Faroe Islands only made their debut at the WDF Europe Cup in 2022 and followed that by making their first appearance at the WDF World Cup in 2023. For a federation still relatively new to international competition, that represented a major milestone.

However, the biggest achievement may still be to come.

In January 2025 it was announced that the Faroe Islands had won the right to host the 2026 WDF Europe Cup in the capital city of Tórshavn. The tournament will welcome many of Europe's leading darts nations and is one of the flagship events on the World Darts Federation calendar.

For a nation of only 54,000 people, securing the event is a huge vote of confidence and demonstrates how far Faroese darts has progressed in a short period of time.

Players To Know

The Faroe Islands have produced several players who have represented the nation internationally and helped establish its growing reputation within WDF competition.

Among the names to watch are:

• Jan McIntosh

• Uni Árting

• Petur Petersen

• Arni Brandsson

• Høgni Egilstoft Nielsen

One Faroese player currently appearing in the Q4QS database is Uni Árting, who has won five of his first seven recorded matches and produced a best average of 80.76, showing the standard of talent beginning to emerge from the islands

As the sport continues to develop, new players are emerging every year and helping to strengthen the Faroese darts scene.

Why The Faroe Islands Matter

One of the most fascinating aspects of world darts is seeing smaller nations compete alongside countries with populations many times larger.

The Faroe Islands are a perfect example.

They may not yet produce the same depth of talent as England, the Netherlands or Wales, but they continue to prove that passion, organisation and commitment can help even the smallest nations establish themselves on the international stage.

Looking Ahead

Hosting the 2026 WDF Europe Cup could be a defining moment for darts in the Faroe Islands.

Not only will it bring some of Europe's best players to Tórshavn, but it will also give local players and fans the opportunity to showcase their nation to the wider darts community.

For a federation that only recently entered major international competitions, the future looks extremely promising.

Q4QS Darts Nation Rating

Current Strength: 4/10

Participation: 6/10

International Success: 5/10

Future Potential: 8/10

Overall Q4QS Nation Rating: 6/10

The Faroe Islands may be one of the smallest nations in world darts, but their ambition is anything but small. Hosting the 2026 WDF Europe Cup is a clear sign that Faroese darts is moving in the right direction.

Useful Links

Faroe Islands Darts Federation:
https://dart.fo

2026 WDF Europe Cup Announcement:
https://aims.sport/faroe-islands-to-host-2026-wdf-europe-cup-marking-a-milestone-for-the-growing-federation/2025/

South West Darts Round-Up – 18 June 2026

 

Another excellent evening of grassroots darts produced strong performances across the South West, with familiar names collecting titles and several players posting standout averages.

Ashton Brown Wins At Hangar 61

One of the strongest events of the evening took place at Hangar 61, where Ashton Brown emerged victorious after defeating Steve Long 3-2 in a high-quality final.

Brown topped the win charts with eight victories and continued his excellent run of form.

Luke Durham Claims DartAsylum Title

At DartAsylum HQ, Luke Durham lifted the Thursday Night Round Robin title with a 3-0 victory over Nick Chichester in the final.

Durham finished the evening with eight wins and was one of the standout performers of the night.

Shaun Vernall Produces The Performance Of The Day

The highest average recorded in the database came from Shaun Vernall during the John Raphael Memorial Cup.

Vernall fired in a superb 120.24 average on his way to lifting the title after defeating Mitchell Leeming 5-4 in a thrilling final.

Mike Harper Wins In Yeovil

Mike Harper added another title to his collection with victory in the Labour Vault Break at Yeovil Labour Club.

Harper recorded seven wins during the event and defeated Kevin Dalwood 3-0 in the final.

Cody Kibble Leads Gloucester JDC

At JDC Volts Gloucester, Cody Kibble took the title after overcoming Mitchell Atkins 3-2 in the final.

Mitchell Atkins produced one of the highest averages of the event, but Kibble held his nerve to secure the trophy.

South West Standouts

🏆 Ashton Brown – Hangar 61 Champion

🏆 Luke Durham – DartAsylum Champion

🏆 Shaun Vernall – John Raphael Memorial Cup Winner

🏆 Mike Harper – Yeovil Labour Club Winner

🏆 Cody Kibble – Gloucester JDC Winner

🔥 Shaun Vernall – 120.24 Average

🔥 Luke Cox – 107.36 Average

🔥 Connor Hopkins – 104.50 Average

Another strong night for South West darts with quality performances right across the region.

MODUS Super Series - ADC South West Qualifier Preview (Sat 20th June)

 

Another big opportunity awaits for South West players as the latest MODUS Super Series Qualifier gets underway, with a competitive field featuring proven winners, in-form performers and several players capable of producing a surprise run.

Heading the field is Gareth Griffiths, who arrives in exceptional form. The Cornish thrower has won his last ten matches in the database and recently produced a title-winning average of over 92. With confidence high, he will be one of the names everyone is looking to avoid.

Henry Cooper is another player arriving with serious momentum. Back-to-back title victories and a perfect recent record make him one of the strongest contenders in the draw.

Neil Meneer continues to impress across Cornwall and Devon, while Lee Evans brings a wealth of experience and recent title-winning form. Both have shown they possess the consistency required to navigate a long qualifier.

The chasing pack is packed with dangerous names. Danny Humphries, Shaun Vernall, Rich Griffee, Andy Steed, Kieran Smith, Bailey White and C-Jay Pipe have all produced performances in recent months that suggest they are capable of making a deep run.

Further down the field, players such as Kev Dunstan, Nigel Lamb, Finlay Cleave, Ethan Bynorth and Zach Quinn will fancy their chances of upsetting some of the more highly-ranked names.

As always in ADC competition, form and confidence can change everything. One hot spell on the doubles can quickly transform an outsider into a genuine title contender.

Six To Follow

🎯 Gareth Griffiths
Won his last ten matches and arrives as the standout form player.

🎯 Henry Cooper
Unbeaten in recent weeks and collecting titles.

🎯 Neil Meneer
Consistent performer with multiple recent finals and victories.

🎯 Lee Evans
A proven winner who knows how to navigate strong fields.

🎯 Danny Humphries
Capable of producing big averages and big results.

🎯 Shaun Vernall
Recent title winner and quietly one of the most in-form players in the draw.

Dark Horse

⭐ Kev Dunstan

Recent ADC success and several title-winning performances make him a dangerous outsider.

Q4QS Prediction

Winner: Gareth Griffiths

Runner-Up: Henry Cooper

Semi-Finalists: Neil Meneer & Lee Evans

Dark Horse: Kev Dunstan

South West Darts Round-Up – 17 June 2026

 

Another busy evening of grassroots darts saw players competing across the South West, with several familiar names producing strong performances.

Dexter Cornes Claims DartAsylum Title

The headline result came from DartAsylum HQ, where Dexter Cornes lifted the Wednesday Night Under 55 Average Competition title after defeating Jamie Haynes 2-1 in the final.

Cornes topped the wins chart with six victories and continued to strengthen his growing reputation on the local circuit.

Joshua Lewis Wins At Magpies

Joshua Lewis enjoyed an excellent evening at the Magpies Vault Break Round Robin, defeating Joseph Meason 3-0 in the final.

The pair dominated the event, both recording seven wins during the night, while Cori Wiltshire and Andy Hammond also impressed.

Justin Bradshaw Continues Strong Form

Justin Bradshaw was another winner on the night, taking victory in the Chinnor Pavilion Vault Break after defeating Joshua Dixon 3-0 in the final.

Bradshaw recorded eight wins during the event and was one of the standout performers across the database.

South West Standouts

🏆 Dexter Cornes – DartAsylum Champion

🏆 Joshua Lewis – Magpies Champion

🏆 Justin Bradshaw – Chinnor Pavilion Champion

🔥 Joseph Meason – 93.94 Average

🔥 Joshua Lewis – 93.94 Average

⭐ Jamie Haynes – DartAsylum Runner-Up

Performance of the Day

Joseph Meason and Joshua Lewis shared the highest averages among the featured South West events, both posting 93.94 averages during the Magpies Vault Break.

With local tournaments continuing almost every night of the week, the Q4QS rankings remain as competitive as ever.

From Pub Player to Professional: The Road to Becoming a Professional Darts Player

 

Every darts fan has imagined it.

The winning double. The walk-on music. The packed crowd. The television cameras. The dream of earning a Tour Card and competing against the world's best.

But how realistic is it?

The truth is that every professional darts player started exactly where most of us are now – playing in local leagues, pubs, clubs and county events. Nobody begins as a professional. The journey starts with a single dart.

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Before thinking about rankings, averages or Q School, you need a solid foundation.

Focus on:

• A repeatable throw
• Consistent stance and grip
• Basic scoring
• Finishing doubles

Many new players obsess over 180s. In reality, doubles win matches.

A player averaging 60 but finishing well will often beat a player averaging 70 who cannot hit doubles.

Step 2: Play Regularly

Improvement comes from competition.

Practice is important, but match experience is where players truly develop.

Look for:

• Local pub leagues
• Open tournaments
• Youth events
• County competitions
• Darts Atlas events
• ADC events

The more different opponents you face, the quicker you learn.

Step 3: Track Your Progress

One mistake many players make is relying on memory.

Keep records of:

• Averages
• Win percentages
• Highest checkouts
• 180s
• Tournament results

Statistics reveal strengths and weaknesses that you may not notice during matches.

This is one reason grassroots ranking systems such as Q4QS are becoming increasingly valuable. They allow players to measure progress against others in their area and across the country.

Step 4: Build Consistency

The biggest difference between a decent player and a top player is consistency.

Most players can throw a brilliant leg.

Far fewer can do it for an entire tournament.

Professional players produce quality darts week after week, month after month, year after year.

Consistency is built through:

• Regular practice
• Match experience
• Confidence
• Mental resilience

Step 5: Raise Your Average

As a rough guide:

• 40-50 average: Beginner
• 50-60 average: Developing player
• 60-70 average: Strong local player
• 70-80 average: County standard
• 80-90 average: National level
• 90+ average: Professional standard

These figures are not exact, but they provide useful milestones.

Remember that averages alone do not tell the full story. Finishing and matchplay are equally important.

Step 6: Travel and Test Yourself

Many players become comfortable winning locally.

The next challenge is travelling.

Playing different venues and different regions exposes you to stronger fields and different playing conditions.

It also helps build experience under pressure.

The players who improve fastest are usually those who seek tougher competition rather than avoiding it.

Step 7: Develop the Right Mindset

Talent helps.

Mindset matters more.

Every successful player experiences:

• Bad form
• Heavy defeats
• Missed doubles
• Tournament exits

The difference is that they keep turning up.

Progress in darts is rarely a straight line.

Some weeks you feel unstoppable.

Other weeks you cannot hit a double.

Keep playing.

Keep learning.

Keep improving.

Step 8: Consider Q School

For many ambitious players, the ultimate target is Q School.

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Q School offers players the opportunity to earn a Tour Card and compete professionally.

However, success at Q School usually follows years of development, competition and experience.

Most players who succeed have already built a strong foundation through local, county and national competition.

The Reality

Very few players will become full-time professionals.

But that should not stop anyone trying.

The journey itself is rewarding.

You make friends, visit new venues, experience memorable matches and continuously challenge yourself to improve.

And every professional darts player once stood exactly where you are now.

The road starts with one dart.

Where it ends is up to you.

South West Grassroots Darts Round-Up – 16 June 2026

 

Another busy evening of grassroots darts saw 32 tournaments added to the Q4QS database, with strong performances across the South West and surrounding regions.

🏆 Tournament Winners

🎯 Tuesday Night Sub 70 Average Round Robin (DartAsylum HQ)

The headline event for South West followers saw Liam Moore continue his excellent run of form, defeating Woody Jewell 3-1 in the final. Liam's recent consistency has made him one of the players to watch on the local scene.

🎯 Faringdon Town In Between Cash Comp #3

Mitch McCarthy took the title after defeating Johnny Haines 3-2 in a closely fought final. Johnny may have missed out on the trophy, but he produced some of the highest averages of the day.

🎯 Railway Inn Round Robin

Kieran Spurdle defeated Steve Boundy 3-1 in the final after an impressive day that saw him rack up nine wins.

🎯 Highbridge JDC Volts Series 6

One of the standout youth events in the South West saw Jenson Jones defeat Cooper Cornish in the final.

🎯 Minehead JDC Volts Series 6

Charlie Mossman edged out Luke Bennett in a 3-2 final to claim the title.

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🔥 Performance of the Day

Johnny Haines

Although he finished runner-up at Faringdon, Johnny produced a remarkable 104.73 average, one of the highest recorded averages in the entire database yesterday.

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🎯 South West Standouts

• Liam Moore – DartAsylum winner
• Woody Jewell – Runner-up at DartAsylum
• Mitch McCarthy – Faringdon champion
• Johnny Haines – 104.73 average
• Kieran Spurdle – Railway Inn champion
• Jenson Jones – Highbridge JDC winner
• Charlie Mossman – Minehead JDC winner

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Top Averages Recorded

1. Sam Jackson – 120.24
2. Sion Thomas – 111.33
3. Llew Bevan – 109.98
4. Llew Bevan – 107.36
5. Johnny Haines – 104.73
6. Lewis Gurney – 103.66
7. Johnny Haines – 102.48
8. Sean Holley – 102.11
9. Stephen Cake – 101.38
10. Max Carter – 100.20