PDC Announce Controversial Tour Card Rule Change During World Championship

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has published its rules for the 2026 season, with one change regarding Tour Cards receiving a mixed reaction from fans.

It is an important period for those looking to secure a two-year PDC Tour Card as they prepare to take part in Q-School, which will be held from January 5-11.

Because of logistics and the number of players who enter, Q-School events are held in Milton Keynes for UK players, while European players compete in the EU Q-School in Kalkar, Germany.

In short, Q-School provides any darts player aged 16 and above with the opportunity to win a two-year Tour Card and compete alongside the sport’s most talented players, including Luke Littler and Justin Hood.

Hood, who reached the quarter-final stage at the 2026 World Championship following wins over Danny Noppert and Josh Rock, was one of the players to advance through the most recent UK Q-School.

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Announced on the 31st December 2025, the PDC's rules for the forthcoming campaign include a section on UK and European Q-Schools, with the PDPA making note of any major changes, as noted below.

• Each First Stage play to 16 qualifiers each day.
• Each Final Stage plays to two winners each day.
• Final Stage winners will be replaced by the next in line from the First Stage tables such that there are 128 players each day allowing points to be awarded for wins in the last 128.
• Players losing their Tour Cards may choose to take Challenge Tour Only status rather than compete at Q School.
• 8 highest eligible players from each Affiliate Tour earn free entry with the highest exempted to Final Stage.

One of the big talking points has been the decision to award both finalists of each day of Q-School with a Tour Card, which replaces the previous system in which only the winner received one.

As noted in section 5.2 of the 2026 PDC Rankings Rules, Tour Cards will be awarded to the last two players of each day’s play in Final Stage at both the UK and European Q-School.

"Once a player has been awarded a Tour Card they shall not play in the remainder of Q School Final Stage and the next highest ranked players from the relevant First Stage Ranking List will be invited to play," the rule states.

"Players from this First Stage Ranking List may also be used to top up the field for Final Stage to 128 players in the event of any withdrawals to ensure a full field for each day.

"The remaining Tour Cards will be awarded to the players who occupy the qualifying positions in the Q School Ranking List which shall be comprised of points as awarded in 5.3."

The PDC add: "Places will be allocated to the relevant UK & European Q School Points Lists on a pro-rata basis from the final number of players who compete in at least one day of Q School."

The decision to introduce two daily winners at Q-School instead of one has been met with a mixed response.

One wrote: "Ridiculous idea. In what way will this improve the standard of the pro tour?" and a second commented: "One good day > consistency. Not a fan."

A third said: "This can't be good. I don't know what they're thinking. So the final itself will be pointless now. Not to mention the obvious 5 less spots to the more consistent players. I guess the argument will be that if you weren't good enough to make one final you're not getting in."

A fourth wrote: "FFS. They make a positive change by topping up to 128 each day and then go and spoil it by doing that," and a fifth added: "Finally, a sensible rule change from the PDC."

Thoughts on the rule change? Let us know in the comments.