Following this weekend’s International Darts Open in Riesa, the opportunities remaining for players attempting to secure qualification for the World Matchplay will become increasingly limited.
With the prestigious Blackpool major rapidly approaching, competitors currently positioned around the qualification threshold now have only eight ranking events remaining in which to consolidate or enhance their standing. Those events comprise:
• Players Championships 19-24
• European Tour Events 8 & 9
Qualification for the World Matchplay remains reserved for players positioned inside either the top sixteen of the main Order of Merit or the top sixteen of the ProTour Order of Merit not already qualified through the primary rankings. Unlike certain other televised tournaments, late entry through withdrawals is exceptionally uncommon at an event of such magnitude and prestige. While not entirely unprecedented, it remains highly improbable.
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As matters presently stand, Damon Heta occupies the final provisional qualification position, holding a relatively slender £2,500 advantage over his nearest pursuer, Karel Sedlacek. The Australian currently sits sixteenth on the ProTour qualification list with approximately £63,000 in ranking earnings.
Nevertheless, several immensely distinguished names remain in considerable jeopardy of missing out on a place at the Winter Gardens altogether. Intriguingly, that contingent includes not only former World Matchplay champions but also multiple winners of other major PDC titles.
Among those under significant pressure is former World Champion Rob Cross. Fortunately for the Englishman, the deficit he must recover remains below £4,000, leaving qualification entirely attainable. However, Cross’s decision not to participate in the qualifier for European Tour Event 9 may yet prove consequential. Presumably confident in his capacity to accumulate sufficient ranking money through the remaining Players Championship events, the omission nevertheless removes a potentially valuable opportunity at a critical juncture of the qualification race.
Michael Smith faces a substantially more arduous predicament. The former World Champion currently trails the qualification positions by approximately £15,000 – effectively the equivalent of capturing a Players Championship title. The St Helens thrower therefore finds himself requiring a sequence of particularly productive performances during the remaining floor events. Compounding the difficulty further is Smith’s absence from the forthcoming European Tour events prior to the cut-off, having failed to secure qualification for those tournaments.
Elsewhere, reigning World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker also appears vulnerable. The Belgian currently requires almost £25,000 in additional ranking earnings to force his way into the provisional qualification places. While undeniably challenging, the situation confronting compatriot Dimitri Van den Bergh is even more precarious. The former World Matchplay champion remains in excess of £40,000 adrift of qualification, leaving his prospects increasingly tenuous.
Importantly, neither Belgian possesses the additional opportunities afforded by participation in the remaining European Tour events. Consequently, their qualification aspirations rest almost exclusively upon the remaining Players Championship tournaments.
For Raymond van Barneveld, meanwhile, qualification hopes have effectively evaporated following his decision to step away from competitive action until September.
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Similarly, Peter Wright appears increasingly likely to see his remarkable sequence of thirteen consecutive World Matchplay appearances come to an end. Realistically, the Scotsman would likely require victory in multiple floor events or a deep European Tour run to preserve his place in the field.
Despite the mounting pressure, the qualification race beneath Heta remains exceptionally congested, with considerable ranking money still available across the remaining events. While those positioned comfortably inside the top ten can currently feel relatively secure, the players occupying the lower qualification positions will undoubtedly be seeking a more substantial financial buffer before the cut-off arrives.
PRO TOUR DARTS ORDER OF MERIT (as of 21/5/26)
Cut-off date: 8th July 2026
1. Ross Smith – 124.75
2. Kevin Doets – 122.25
3. Luke Woodhouse – 121.25
4. Niko Springer – 100.75
5. Andrew Gilding – 96.25
6. Krzysztof Ratajski – 94.5
7. Martin Schindler – 90.75
8. Dirk van Duijvenbode – 88.25
9. Niels Zonneveld – 87.5
10. William O’Connor – 82.75
11. Joe Cullen – 80
12. Daryl Gurney – 77.75
13. Ryan Joyce – 66.25
14. Kim Huybrechts – 64.75
15. Sebastian Bialecki – 64.25
16. Damon Heta – 63
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17. Karel Sedlacek – 60.5
18. Cameron Menzies – 60.5
19. Rob Cross – 59.25
20. Dave Chisnall – 52.5
21. Richard Veenstra – 51.5
22. Mensur Suljovic – 51.25
23. Jeffrey de Graaf – 49.25
24. Keane Barry – 49
25. Lukas Wenig – 47.5
26. Michael Smith – 47.5
27. Justin Hood – 46.5
28. Alan Soutar – 46.25
29. Beau Greaves – 46.25
30. Max Hopp – 45
31. Cristo Reyes – 44.5
32. Tom Bissell – 44.25
Images: PDC
