2026 PDC Qualifying Schools: Day One Highlights of First Stage
The 2026 PDC Qualifying Schools have officially commenced, marking Day One of the First Stage in Milton Keynes and Kalkar. This significant event runs from January 5 to January 11, attracting over 900 participants eager to secure their positions on the PDC circuit for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
Locations and Format
This year’s UK Qualifying School takes place at Arena MK in Milton Keynes, while Wundergarten Kalkar in Germany hosts the European Qualifying School. The tournament comprises two main stages: the First Stage and the Final Stage.
First Stage Details
- Date: January 5-7, 2026
- UK Start Time: Approximately 12:00 GMT
- European Start Time: Approximately 11:00 CET
- Match Format: Best of nine legs
During the First Stage, the last 16 players from each day will automatically progress to the Final Stage. This is a crucial step, as the Final Stage will feature a total of 128 players at each venue.
Ranking System
In addition to the daily qualifiers, further players will be selected from the First Stage Rankings after Day Three. Matches’ results contribute to a ranking list that awards one point per victory. If players tie on points, they will be ranked based on leg difference, legs won, and DartConnect averages from their matches.
Importance of the Event
The PDC Qualifying Schools play a vital role in determining which players will compete on the professional circuit. The competitive nature of this event ensures that only the most skilled players earn their spots for the 2026/27 season.
For live scores and updates from Day One, fans can follow the progress of both the UK and European Qualifying Schools as the competition unfolds.
