ANALYSIS | Best performing new Tour Card holders in 2026 including brilliant Beau Greaves to resurgent Spartan Cristo Reyes to champagne Charlie Manby
PDC
The top 128 Tour Card holders are a hard school to get into, and while some manage to seriously excel, others find it a bit more difficult to break through the mould. We take a look at those who have excelled so far in their near six-month stints as PDC Tour Card holders.
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Beau Greaves qualified for the ProTour through a secondary tour and was playing last season at times anyway, while some are returning, such as Cristo Reyes, and perhaps have a point to prove.
Others, such as Tom Sykes, have long been heralded but until this year haven't managed to break out onto the tour. But what are the underlying factors and numbers behind the rise of some of the best of the class of 2026?
Beau Greaves - the trailblazing female with immediate success
Greaves has been what the darts world expected of her and more in 2026, becoming the only 2026 tour card holder to win a Players Championship. Yet, the signs were always there for those paying attention.
The history-making Greaves has won 114 consecutive wins on the Women’s Tour, almost four times Sherrock’s record of 29 consecutive wins. A record 55 Women’s Series titles, 4-time Development Tour winner, and 2-time Challenge Tour title granted Greaves an impressive £58,775 without a PDC tour card in 2025.
Greaves was competing on the PDC tour as a result of her Development Tour rankings and put up impressive numbers, but no single result raised attention. Yet, 2025’s 85% win rate from 357 games shows she was primed for the tour.
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Beau Greaves has held a PDC Tour Card since this season
2026 has answered every question, with Greaves’ win percentage being 80% over 35 matches. An impressive 91.45 average in the last 12 months—lower than it might appear, as the Women’s Tour demands lower averages to comfortably win—proving dividends to her ability.
Greaves is fearless, with her maiden PDC title showing this, averaging 100+ twice, beating 3 former world champions in Rob Cross and Gary Anderson, beating Michael Smith in a nail-biting 8–7, hitting a breathtaking 142 checkout to win.
Greaves' composure despite her troubles with dartitis has put her 77th in the world with just 5 months of ranking money, £47,250, ensuring she will smash the current threshold of £114,500 over two years.
Data from Greaves' debut season
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| Metric | Figure |
| PDC Ranking | 77th |
| 2026 PDC Earnings | £47,250 |
| Two Year Threshold | £114,500 |
| 2025 Affiliate Earnings | £58,775 |
| 2025 Win % (PDC) | 85% |
| 2026 Win % | 80% |
| Average Last 12 Months | 91.45 |
| Women’s Consecutive Wins | 114 |
| Women’s Series Titles | 55 |
| Tour Card Won | 2026 |
| Best 2026 Result | PC11 Winner |
| PC11 Semi-Final Average | 105.56 |
Greaves’ 180 ability and impressive checkouts have caught the eye, especially hitting a record-breaking 9-darter against Mensur Suljović, becoming the first woman to achieve such a feat, summing up what a great first year she has experienced.
The Doncaster-raised woman will secure her card without a doubt, and the question is just how far she can go. There is no hiding the fact that the PDC will look for her to be in the Premier League at any opportunity, and the Grand Prix and Grand Slam could present these opportunities.
Not just this, her Players' Championships and World Championships could accelerate her career significantly, with her 105.56 average against Anderson showing she can match the best.
Challenges have come in the form of Euro Tour qualifying, which hasn’t been her strongest area. Plus, there are questions about whether her workload management is sustainable across multiple tours.
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Overall, this is like picking a fault in the Mona Lisa for Greaves, as her performances should serve as the blueprint for all future tour card holders.
Cristo Reyes - resurgent Spartan rises again
Cristo Reyes emerged from what seemed like the end of his career when he won his tour card at EU Q-School. Once a top 32 player and regular in the World Championship, his highlights include a Last 16 in the World Matchplay in 2017 and World Championship in 2015. He also produced a losing average of 106.07 against eventual winner Michael van Gerwen in the 2017 Worlds, showing his competitiveness at his peak.
However, his form never quite reached those heights again, slipping off the tour in 2021. Reyes went on to play just 16 competitive matches in 2022, and none in 2023 and 2024.
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Reyes arrived at the Mediterranean Qualifier in November 2025, beating Ricardo Perez 7–4 to secure his place back at Alexandra Palace. Despite losing in the first round to eventual runner-up Gian van Veen, he averaged 96.16.
Cristo Reyes rises again
2026 suggests he has picked up exactly where 2017 left off. Reyes boasts an impressive 68% win percentage across 28 matches so far, averaging 93.51. This places him 28th in the world for averages.
Key wins include a Euro Tour quarter-final run, losing to eventual champion Josh Rock 6–4 in Graz. He also has multiple wins over James Wade, including a 105.74 average performance, and a 106.95 average win over Rob Cross in Euro Tour qualifying.
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He has also beaten 2023 world champion Michael Smith, turning scalps into routine victories. Sitting 80th in the Order of Merit with £42,500 so far, his pace suggests the £114,500 two-year threshold is within reach.
However, questions remain. His lack of competitive darts over recent years and inconsistency at his peak still linger. Emotion and missed doubles remain visible issues. Still, his 93.51 average shows he can operate above players like Smith, Gurney, Cullen, and Menzies.
The rise again of Reyes in numbers
| Metric | Figure |
| PDC Ranking | 80th |
| 2026 PDC Earnings | £42,500 |
| Two Year Threshold | £114,500 |
| 2025 Affiliate Earnings | £0 |
| 2026 Win % | 68% |
| Average Last 12 Months | 93.51 |
| World Average Ranking | 28th |
| Peak Earnings | £97,000 (2017) |
| Tour Card Won | 2026 (EU Q-School) |
| Best 2026 Result | ET6 Quarter Final |
| PDC Absence | 2022–2025 |
| Career Best World Championship | Last 16 (2015) |
Tom Sykes - from MODUS Super Series success to quitting job for PDC dream
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Winning a tour card is a foot in the door, not a salary, where only the top 64 can truly call themselves professionals.
Tom Sykes decided the door was worth walking through and quit his job. He secured his tour card on Day 3, beating Stephen Burton 6–4. A two-time MODUS Super Series week winner and multiple finalist in Champions Week, he had already established himself as a threat.
Sykes has had a great first year.
His 2025 win percentage was 68%, winning 149 games on the Challenge Tour while earning £7,875. High averages like 115.62 in MODUS Super Series show elite scoring, alongside 358 180s—higher than Gary Anderson and James Wade in that metric.
The Castleford Tiger on the rise
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| Metric | Figure |
| PDC Ranking | 89th |
| 2026 PDC Earnings | £28,000 |
| Two Year Threshold | £114,500 |
| 2025 Affiliate Earnings | £7,875 |
| 2025 Win % | 68% |
| 2026 Win % | 59% |
| Average Last 12 Months | 91.22 |
| World Average Ranking | 59th |
| Tour Card Won | 2026 (UK Q-School) |
| Best 2026 Result | PC9 Quarter Final |
| 180s Ranking | Above Anderson and Wade |
| Total 180s | 358 |
In 2026, his win percentage dropped slightly to 59%, but prize money rose to £28,000, including a Players Championship quarter-final. He produced standout wins such as a 102.73 average over Ross Smith and a 101.38 win over Raymond van Barneveld.
His ability to break throw late in matches is a key strength, with a 46.26% success rate when throwing second, higher than Luke Humphries. However, consistency remains an issue. A Euro Tour breakthrough is still missing, and heavy defeats like a 6–0 loss to Justin Hood highlight his C-game limitations in the 80s. He sits at £150,000 combined, above the key threshold, but long-term consistency will define him.
Darius Labanauskas - returning Lucky D makes unnoticed strides
Darius Labanauskas has gone largely unnoticed in 2026 despite being ranked above Sykes and Manby in the Order of Merit. His peak includes a 2020 World Championship quarter-final and regular major appearances, including Last 16 at the World Grand Prix (2021) and World Series Finals (2020).
He lost his tour card in 2023 but rebuilt through the Nordic & Baltic Tour, winning consistently and earning £51,750 in 2025 through Challenge Tour success. Sitting 88th in the Order of Merit, he has shown steady consistency on the Pro Tour, with first-round exits avoided in over half of events.
Darius Labanuaskas has endured a successful return to the tour in 2026.
Key wins include beating Wessel Nijman and a 103.29 average against Ryan Searle. His season average is 89.74, ranking 86th in the world. His doubles remain a strength, ranking 29th best on tour at 39.48%.
Labanauskas continues to rely on consistency rather than explosive scoring. His experience across majors and tours gives him an edge in pressure situations, but questions remain over whether a low average can sustain long-term success.
Labanauskas return in numbers
| Metric | Figure |
| PDC Ranking | 88th |
| 2026 PDC Earnings | £25,500 |
| Two Year Threshold | £114,500 |
| 2025 Affiliate Earnings | £51,750 |
| 2026 Win % | 61% |
| Average Last 12 Months | 89.66 |
| Doubles % | 39.48% |
| Doubles World Ranking | 29th |
| Tour Card Won | 2026 |
| Peak Earnings | £93,250 (2020) |
| Best 2026 Result | PC16 Last 16 |
| Career Best World Championship | QF (2020) |
Charlie Manby - Champagne brings Ally Pally breakout to ProTour
Charlie Manby edges onto this list by just £1,250, highlighting how tight the margins are. A breakout 2026 World Championship run to the Last 16, losing 1–4 to Gian van Veen, raised his profile significantly.
Champagne Charlie Manby in action.
He secured his tour card on Day 4, beating Mervyn King 6–2. His 2025 season included a MODUS Super Series Champions Week title worth £25,000 and a Development Tour title. A 72% win rate brought his earnings to £41,725. Most notably, he recorded a 130.7 Development Tour average, the second-highest PDC average in history.
Manby's season in numbers as Champagne celebrates great success
| Metric | Figure |
| PDC Ranking | 90th |
| 2026 PDC Earnings | £26,250 |
| Two Year Threshold | £114,500 |
| 2025 Affiliate Earnings | £41,725 |
| 2025 Win % | 72% |
| 2026 Win % | 70% |
| Average Last 12 Months | 90.92 |
| World Average Ranking | 66th |
| Tour Card Won | 2026 (UK Q-School) |
| Best 2026 Result | PC7 & PC8 Quarter Finals |
| Development Tour Record Average | 130.7 |
| Champions Week Win | £25,000 (2025) |
His 2026 average sits at 90.92, just outside the top 64. He has reached consecutive Players Championship quarter-finals, including strong wins over Ross Smith (99.27 average) and Raymond van Barneveld (101.38).
However, inconsistency remains a concern, with results fluctuating between high 90s wins and 70–80 average losses. At 20 years old, his development trajectory remains steep, and he is widely expected to rise above others in this group over a two-year cycle.
Ben James is a darts writer at DartsNews.com, covering professional darts with a focus on analysis, player storylines, and match context. He contributes articles on tournaments, player performances, and developments across the PDC calendar.
Ben is currently completing his A Levels in History, Sociology, and Business, with predicted grades of A, A, and A. He also completed an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), awarded an A grade, titled “To what extent do psychological factors and equipment specifications determine performance in competitive darts?”, reflecting a strong interest in the analytical and psychological aspects of the sport.
He has published early work on platforms such as Medium, including articles on Joe Cullen and Niels Zonneveld, and is developing his experience in sports journalism. Ben is also set to attend a PDC event, building first-hand insight into the professional darts environment.
His interest in darts spans player narratives, match dynamics, scoring strategy, and the mathematical and psychological elements of performance. In his writing, he focuses on clear structure, contextual analysis, and accurate reporting.
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- 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
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
- Seems to me that the top 16 players pick and choose whatever they want to play. Good,all the money will get spread out more. They get more money from exhibitions than tournaments so let them all withdrawrick6703-11-2026
- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026