The 2026 Winmau PDC Challenge Tour reached its dramatic conclusion in Wigan this weekend, with four events at Robin Park Leisure Centre deciding Tour Cards, World Championship places and a Grand Slam berth.
Saturday delivered two high-quality finals that reshaped the Order of Merit. Archie Self produced the performance of the weekend in Event 21, dismantling Tommy Morris 5-1 in the final with a blistering 104.49 average. The victory was Self’s second title of the season and propelled him into the top five.
MORE ELITE DARTS COVERAGE: Check Out Our Devoted PDC Area
Later the same day, Joe Hunt responded in the best possible way. The Englishman claimed Event 22 with a composed 5-3 win over Callum Francis, averaging 93.68. That success moved Hunt to the summit of the rankings on £17,050, overtaking long-time leader Derek Coulson.
Those two results effectively settled the biggest prizes on offer. Hunt has secured a two-year PDC Tour Card for 2027-28 and a place at the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts as the Challenge Tour number one. Coulson, still second on £15,500, remains firmly on course for the second Tour Card and a debut at Alexandra Palace in the 2027 World Championship.
More Darts For The Contenders
Daniel Klose (third) and Tommy Morris (fourth) stay in the mix for the remaining World Championship qualification spots, while Archie Self’s late surge has kept him in contention for the top-eight UK Open places and a funded Final Stage Q-School berth.
For the rest of the field the final weekend sees tomorrow last chance to climb the rankings and keep professional dreams alive. As the tungsten settles in Wigan, the 2026 Challenge Tour has produced its new professionals and major qualifiers.
Joe Hunt heads into the next chapter as the clear champion of the secondary circuit, while several others now prepare for the biggest stages the sport can offer.
DARTS PLAYER MERCHANDISE AND COLLECTABLES AT OUR DARTSWORLD STORE!
Images: PDC
