BREAKING: PDC World Darts Championship expanded to 96 players including two female competitors

The World Championship is bigger than ever. The PDC announced that no less than 96 players will compete for the world title at the Alexandra Palace in London.

This year the PDC World Darts Championship starts on Thursday 13 December. The final is just like during the last edition on New Year's Day, January 1, 2019. Because more players participate in the biggest darts tournament of the year, more afternoon sessions will be played.
The field of participants will be increased from 72 to 96. The top-32 of the world ranking will be assigned a place as usual; and may skip the first round as a result of this new field.
In the first round, the top-32 of the Pro Tour ranking will face the 32 international qualifiers. In addition, the number of international qualifiers has increased by eight players compared to last year. This also includes more spaces for American/Canadian players; with the top players from both countries on the CDC tour gaining places alongside the North American Championship winner.
There is also places for South American, Indian and African; as opposed to it being only the top ranked players involved. The Challenge Tour winner will now like the Development Tour winner gain a space.

The PDC has included two places for female darters. There will be a special qualification tournament for women in the United Kingdom. The second qualifier is open to female darters from the rest of the world.
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Qualifiers

Top 32 from PDC Order of Merit
Top 32 from ProTour Order of Merit
Plus 32 International Qualifiers:
Two PDPA Qualifiers
2018 PDC Asian Tour Top Four
2018 PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion
2018 PDC Unicorn Development Tour Order of Merit top two
2018 PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour Order of Merit winner
PDC Nordic & Baltic Top Two
EADC Champion
Oceanic Masters Champion
DPA Order of Merit Winner
DPNZ Qualifier
German Superleague Champion
Central Europe Qualifier
South Europe Qualifier
West Europe Qualifier
East Europe Qualifier
PDC China Qualifier
Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay Champion
North American Championship Winner
CDC Top Ranked American Player
CDC Top Ranked Canadian Player
PDJ Japanese Qualifier
African Qualifier
South American Qualifier
UK Ladies Qualifier
Rest of the World Ladies Qualifier
Indian Qualifier
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