Darts chiefs announce major rule change to sport midway through World Championship

DARTS chiefs have announced major rule changes for the 2026 season.

The announcement from the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) comes with the World Darts Championship in its final stages.

PDC chiefs have announced a major change to its darts rulesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

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Tonight is the two semi-finals and tomorrow will see one player crowned world champion and pocket a record £1million in prize money.

However, the organisation has revealed the dates for aspiring darts stars to try and qualify for a Pro Tour Card through its Q Schools.

New Alexandra Palace fan favourite Justin Hood qualified in the most recent batch of Q school recruits from the UK.

The UK’s Qualifying School is held in Milton Keynes, while the European School is held in Kalkar, Germany between January 5 and 11.

They will be comprised of three First Stage events featuring 128 players, held from January 5-7.

But one rule update has sparked controversy among fans.

Under section 5.2 of the PDC Ranking Rules, it states: “Tour Cards shall be awarded to the last two players of each day’s play in Final Stage at both the UK and European Q School.”

The PDC adds: “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.

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“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.”

Previously, only the winner of a day would receive a Tour Card.

And some fans moaned the change could dilute the quality of the playing field.

Taking to social media, one fan said: “Ridiculous idea. In what way will this improve the standard of the pro tour?”

A second said: “What’s the point in playing a final then.”

A third added: “They make a positive change by topping up to 128 each day and then go and spoil it by doing that.”

Another said: “Whose bright idea was that?”

The PDPA noted a series of other changes to its Qualifying School rules:

• 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.