Darts Star Becomes Nation's First-Ever PDC Tour Card Holder at Q-School
A brand-new nation will be represented in the PDC for the first time in 2026 after the conclusion of EU Q-School.
The brutal event, which takes place over four days, sees 128 players battle it out for the chance to secure a two-year PDC tour card.
Two players on each day automatically secure a tour card by reaching the final, with nine players in EU Q-School and five in UK Q-School earning cards via the Order of Merit at the end of day four.
And the EU version has seen a historic tour card handed out, with Slovenia's Benjamin Pratnemer securing his card on day four through the Order of Merit.
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Pratnemer defeated Jeffrey Keen 6-2 in the last 64 on day four, with a 101 average, to win a guaranteed two-year stay on the PDC ProTour.
Other players to secure their cards from EU Q-School include Spain's Cristo Reyes and former PDC World Matchplay semi-finalist Jeffrey De Zwaan.
While in the UK version, Charlie Manby and 2024 WDF champion Shane McGuirk both won their places on the main tour for the next two seasons.
Pratnemer won four matches on the first day before losing in the quarter-finals to Jeffrey De Zwaan, before a run to the last 16 on day two.
That put him in a comfortable position on the Order of Merit, but the Slovenian then suffered a first-round exit to 2025 WDF world champion Jimmy van Schie on day three to put himself under pressure on the final day.
Fortunately for Pratnemer, he dispatched of Argentina's Jesus Salate 6-1 in his first match on Sunday, before the all-important win over Keen secured his PDC tour card.
His last 32 defeat to Adam Sevada, therefore, did not matter, as Pratnemer already had a significant leg difference advantage over the players around him.
The 46-year-old has competed in the WDF World Championship in the past three stagings, reaching the third round in 2025.
He qualified for the PDC version once, in 2020, before losing to Justin Pipe in round one.
When he won his first-round match at the Lakeside last year, he also became the first Slovenian to win a WDF World Championship match.
Speaking after that victory, he said: "It's another step in my dart life.
"I have been here three times - a lucky third [this time]. It's my gift, to win.
"I think this win is already big for Slovenian darts. It's the first time a Slovenian darts player has won in Lakeside, so it's huge, I think. It's a huge step for Slovenian darts, and of course if it's going to be another win, it's even bigger."
Now, Pratnemer can celebrate another significant achievement as he looks to establish himself in the PDC in 2026.
Topics:Β Darts
Ryan Smart