Qualifying Structure Confirmed for Record-Breaking Paddy Power World Darts Championship

The PDC has officially confirmed the qualifying structure for the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, revealing a landmark expansion that will see a record 128 players compete for the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy and a top prize of £1 million.

The most prestigious event in professional darts continues to grow, with this year’s tournament boasting a staggering £5 million prize fund and a broadened international field, ensuring representation from every corner of the globe. The 2025/26 edition will mark the biggest field in World Championship history—cementing its place as the sport’s flagship competition.

40 Players Automatically Qualify from PDC Order of Merit

The top 40 players from the PDC Order of Merit following November’s Players Championship Finals will qualify automatically, ensuring the sport’s biggest stars are in the mix. Reigning champion Luke Littler will return to defend his crown after his historic triumph last January, while world number one Luke Humphries and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen are also among the headline names.

40 Spots from ProTour Order of Merit

Joining the top 40 are the next best 40 non-qualified players from the ProTour Order of Merit, rewarding consistency and form throughout the season. This move continues the PDC’s commitment to giving rising stars and in-form professionals a clear pathway to Alexandra Palace.

48 International Qualifiers to Complete the Field

The remaining 48 places will be allocated to International Qualifiers, with players from the PDC’s global and secondary tours offered enhanced opportunities to shine on the world stage. In a significant change from previous years, all 128 players will enter at the first-round stage, with a new draw format seeing seeds and players ranked 33–64 paired randomly against the rest of the field.

Among the 48 international slots, several standout allocations have been confirmed:

• A minimum of four women will be part of the tournament, continuing the push for greater gender inclusion in the sport.
• Three players each from the Winmau Development Tour and Challenge Tour will earn spots, rewarding future stars and seasoned campaigners on the fringes of the pro circuit.
• Five players from the Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) circuit will qualify, ensuring strong North American representation.
• Five places from the PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit, alongside the two PDC Asian Championship finalists, will bolster a strong Asian contingent.
• Three representatives from the PDC Nordic & Baltic region, including the top two from the PDCNB ProTour and the winner of the inaugural PDC Nordic & Baltic Championship, will qualify. That event will see 24 players battle it out for the newly unveiled Jann Hoffmann Trophy.
• Four Australian and New Zealand players will make the trip to Ally Pally: the winners of the DartPlayers Australia ProTour, DartPlayers New Zealand ProTour, the new ADA Australian Tour, and the PDC ANZ Premier League champion.

This diverse qualifying structure underlines the PDC’s global reach and continued investment in expanding the game across all regions and demographics.

Seeds Enter From Round One in Format Shake-Up

In a fresh twist for 2025/26, all players—including the 32 seeded stars—will begin their campaign in the first round. Players ranked 1–32 and 33–64 will be placed on the left-hand side of the draw and matched against qualifiers in a randomised draw, adding another layer of unpredictability to the tournament’s early stages.

The 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship will kick off in December and conclude in early January. Full details, including the exact schedule and session times, will be confirmed in the coming months.

With an expanded field, a revamped format, and the richest prize fund in darts history, this year’s World Championship promises to deliver even more drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments on the Alexandra Palace stage.

Qualifying Structure Confirmed for Record-Breaking Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Field Composition

Top 40 from PDC Order of Merit

Top 40 from ProTour Order of Merit not otherwise qualified

48x International Qualifiers

First Round

Top 32 from PDC Order of Merit seeded in standard seed pattern.

Players 33-64 from PDC Order of Merit drawn at random to left hand side of the draw.

Remaining 64 players drawn at random.

International Qualifiers

Invited in the following order

PDC World Youth Champion

PDC Development Tour Winner

PDC Development Tour Runner-Up

PDC Development Tour Third Place

PDC Challenge Tour Winner

PDC Challenge Tour Runner-Up

PDC Challenge Tour Third Place

PDC Women’s World Matchplay Winner

PDC Women’s Series Winner

PDC Women’s Series Runner-Up

PDC Women’s Series Third Place

Steel Darts Japan Tour Winner

PDC China Championship Winner

IDC Indian Qualifier

PDC Asian Championship Winner

PDC Asian Championship Runner-Up

PDC Asian Tour Winner

PDC Asian Tour Runner-Up

PDC Asian Tour Third Place

PDC Asian Tour Fourth Place

PDC Asian Tour Fifth Place

PDCE Netherlands & Belgium Qualifier

PDCE Mediterranean Qualifier

PDCE South-East Europe Qualifier

PDCE Czechia Qualifier

PDO Polish Qualifier

PDCE DACH Super League Winner

Hungarian Super League Winner

PDC UK&IRE Tour Card Holder & Associate Member Qualifier

PDC North American Championship Winner

CDC Continental Cup Winner

CDC Cross-Border Challenge Winner

CDC Top Ranked American

CDC Top Ranked Canadian

CDLC Qualifier

PDC Nordic & Baltic Championship Winner

PDCNB ProTour Winner

PDCNB ProTour Runner-Up

ANZ Premier League Winner

ADA Australian Tour Winner

DPA ProTour Winner

DPNZ ProTour Winner

African Darts Group Qualifier

PDC Tour Card Holder Qualifier 1

PDC Tour Card Holder Qualifier 2

PDC Tour Card Holder Qualifier 3

PDC Tour Card Holder Qualifier 4

One Place TBC

Please Note: PDC Rule 7.6 clarifies Nationality for events.

Mediterranean Qualifier open to players from the following countries: Andorra, France, Gibraltar, Italy, Portugal, San Marino, Spain

South-East Europe Qualifier open to players from the following countries: Albania, Belarus*, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia*, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Türkiye, Ukraine

* Players from Russia and Belarus may only enter subject to certain special conditions which can be obtained from the PDC in advance of an entry being made.

UK & Ireland Tour Card Holder & Associate Member Qualifier will take place on Saturday November 1 in Wigan, and will be open to Tour Card Holders & Associate Members who played in 2025 UK Qualifying School.

Where players qualify through multiple routes, PDC Order of Merit rules will apply.