Rileys Sports bars and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) team up for a fourth consecutive year to give 16 amateurs their chance to mix it with the pros from the PDC.
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Thirteen Rileys clubs will host qualifying events between 26th January and 24th February 2019 where the winner will take their place in the PDC`s FA Cup of Darts, UK Open Finals in Butlins Minehead in March. Rileys Qualifiers will, this year win £100 towards travel expenses.
Rob Cross, PDC number 2 in the latest PDC rankings, began his career through the Rileys Qualifiers. Cross, from Hastings, travelled to the Norwich qualifier back in 2016. Rob stormed the PDC circuit in his first year as a professional, eventually becoming World Champion having beaten Phil Taylor in his retirement year.
Rileys Amateur Qualifier events really can be what dreams are made of. Amateurs will be playing best of 7 legs, 501 straight start. There is a strict dress code for all qualifiers, more information can be found here.
If you’re over 16, and fancy your chances against the pros, register for your nearest event today through this link.
Entry costs £8 and includes a free drink (or cashback voucher in Rileys Greenock) and players can enter more than 1 qualifier in their quest for glory.
2019 UK Open
Rileys Amateur Qualifiers
Saturday January 26 - London Victoria Saturday January 26 - Norwich Saturday January 26 - Wolverhampton Saturday February 2 - Chester Saturday February 2 - Chorlton Saturday February 2 - Greenock Saturday February 2 - Nottingham Saturday February 2 - Worcester Sunday February 3 - Coventry Saturday February 9 - South Benfleet Saturday February 16 - Sheffield Sunday February 17 - London Victoria Saturday February 23 - Harlow Saturday February 23 - Norwich Saturday February 23 - Wolverhampton Sunday February 24 - Liverpool
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I stumbled into the world of darts quite by accident back in 2013. For a Journalism School assignment, I had to produce a live sports report and as it happened, the European Tour event in Veldhoven was the only available option. That weekend, I caught the darts bug. The post-match interviews especially appealed to me, as darts players tend to be much more open and approachable than what you usually see with footballers on television.
After a few detours, I joined Dartsnieuws.com in 2017 as editor-in-chief. I don’t have much competitive experience myself, although I once entered a PDC Development Tour weekend just to experience what it’s like from a player’s perspective. I even managed to win a leg against a Tour Card holder and, quite by accident, earned £50 in prize money.
In 2022, I was also involved in the founding of the TOTO Dart Kings, a commercial darts team, where I worked as media manager for three years. Unfortunately, due to new legislation in the Netherlands, that project came to an end in 2025.
Through my work in darts, I’ve been fortunate to travel to some incredible events, from Premier League nights at Ahoy Rotterdam, to several World Championships, and even the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Beyond darts, I’m a passionate sports fan in general. You can always wake me up for a game of tennis or padel, and I love following football, tennis, padel, cycling, Formula 1, and ice skating.
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- Well,I suppose if you don't play the tournaments ,then why should any player qualify? There are players who enter every tournament,and if they don't win it,they carry on, spending money they haven't won,yet certain players seem to think they should qualify. Winners only I thinkrick6714-11-2026
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026