Entries Open for 2027 PDC Qualifying SchoolsThe race for a place on the professional circuit is officially underway, with entries now open for the 2027 PDC Qualifying Schools.
Aspiring professionals aged 16 and over (as of 4 January 2027) will battle it out for two-year Tour Cards in a dual-venue event running from 4-10 January. Simultaneous action will take place at Arena MK in Milton Keynes for the UK Qualifying School and Wunderland Kalkar in Germany for the European Qualifying School.
The familiar format returns: a three-day First Stage (4-6 January) followed by a four-day Final Stage (7-10 January).
Each day of the First Stage will see the last 16 players progress to the Final Stage at each venue.
Additional places up to the 128-player Final Stage field will be filled from the First Stage Ranking List, with that list also used to top up daily fields during the Final Stage if required.
Entry details
UK Qualifying School (Arena MK, Milton Keynes): £475 + VAT (includes DRA Sanction Fee)
European Qualifying School (Wunderland Kalkar, Germany): £475 (includes DRA Sanction Fee)
On-site accommodation is available at Wunderland Kalkar.
Entries close at 14:00 GMT on Monday 28 December 2026 via the PDC Entry System.
New players must first register their details; verification can take up to 48 hours.
Players from the UK, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar compete in Milton Keynes, while those from other European nations head to Germany. Competitors from outside Europe may choose either venue.
Exemptions and free entries
Players who lose their Tour Card at the end of 2026 are exempt through to Final Stage (entry still required) and may also opt to play only the Winmau Challenge Tour in 2027 after paying the Qualifying School fee and notifying the PDC in writing.
Further free or exempt places go to:The top 16 non-Tour Card holders from the 2026 Winmau Challenge Tour and Development Tour Rankings
The top eight non-Tour Card holders from the final 2026 Women’s Series Rankings and PDC Affiliate Tour Rankings (highest-ranked entrant exempt to Final Stage)
The Qualifying Schools remain the primary pathway for players seeking to join the likes of Luke Humphries, Luke Littler and the rest of the PDC’s elite.
For full entry information and registration, visit the official PDC website.
Images: PDC
