Another Darts Player to Lose PDC Tour Card After World Championship Match

An ever-present figure on the PDC circuit in recent years has lost his PDC Tour Card after suffering defeat at the 2026 World Darts Championship.

Ahead of this year's tournament at the Alexandra Palace, it was confirmed that 15 professionals would lose their PDC Tour Card in January 2026, including a handful of high-profile names.

Those ranked outside the top 64 after the end of the season will lose their Tour Card and return to Q-School if they want to reclaim their professional status.

Florian Hempel, who has been a PDC professional for five consecutive years, sits 70th in the live Tour Card race after losing to Robert Grundy in his first-round qualifier for the World Championships, meaning he will need to go through Q-School.

Jelle Klaasen, a former BDO champion who has numerous WDF titles to his name, will also lose his PDC Tour Card in January alongside Scotland's William Borland and Welsh thrower Jim Williams.

A number of high-profile names will lose their PDC Tour Card following the conclusion of the 2026 World Darts Championship. Image credit: Getty

Earlier this week, former Grand Slam Darts champion Jose de Sousa lost his PDC Tour Card following a 3-1 defeat to Ricardo Pietreczko.

And now, two-time PDC North American champion and Canadian number one Matt Campbell has suffered the same fate after falling to a 3-1 loss against World Championship debutant Adam Sevada.

Jetze Jan Idsardi, the co-founder of news outlet Darts Actueel, described Campbell losing his Tour Card as a "disaster" for the PDC, adding: "The only player from North America to have any impact on the tour is gone."

Campbell joins Dylan Slevin, Berry van Peer, Patrick Geeraets, Nathan Rafferty and Jitse Van der Wal in losing a PDC Tour Card.

Martijn Dragt, Benjamin Reus, George Killington, Michele Turetta, Tim Wolters and Jules van Dongen must also return to Q-School if they want to secure a place on the tour for the next two years.

Matt Campbell pictured ahead of his World Championship opener against Adam Sevada. Image credit: Getty

William Borland opens up on why he 'disappeared' from the sport in heartbreaking interview

Borland, who is best known for becoming the first player to end a match on a perfect nine-dart leg, when he beat Bradley Brooks at the 2022 World Championship, is one of the players who will lose their PDC Tour Card next month.

Speaking in a new interview with Online Darts, Borland revealed that he has taken time away from the sport in 2025 to look after his mother and grandmother, who have both had health issues.

"My mum and gran's health deteriorated, so it was between being selfish and going to darts, or look after my gran and my mum," he began.

"So I took the decision to take two months off to look after them and help them out. They've got a lot better now, so I've done the last eight Pro Tours. Unfortunately, I had too much to do to try and get to the Worlds.

"My mum is getting tests done for Alzheimer's and, hopefully, that comes to nothing. But they are fit and healthy."

Borland has collected £28,000 in prize money over his two-year PDC stint. Image credit: Getty

He added: "It's a relief because I don't get to see them as much when I am away, but then when I am at home, I am at work. It takes a lot off my mind."