Development Tour concludes with World Championship spot for Cam Crabtree and Jurjen van der Velde as two new Tour Card holders confirmed
PDC
The finale of the Development Tour delivered drama. Jamai van den Herik not only sealed a World Darts Championship berth in Wigan, he also secured a Tour Card for 2027 and 2028. Jurjen van der Velde snatched an Alexandra Palace ticket at the last moment as well.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was a nerve-racking weekend especially for Van den Herik. Thanks to a title during the previous Development Tour weekend, he had thrust himself back into contention and continued his surge on Saturday. He first reached the semi-finals, where Cole Davey proved too strong with a 5-4 win. Later in the day he added a quarter-final after victories over, among others, Leon Weber and Liam Maendl-Lawrance. As several rivals went out early, Van den Herik kept climbing the rankings.
Van den Herik left sweating
On Sunday, Van den Herik reached the semi-finals again. He lost there to Owen Bates, but the result did move him up to third place. In the final event he could no longer safeguard that position himself. Cam Crabtree swept the Dutchman 4-0, leaving Van den Herik dependent on results elsewhere.
The margins finally broke his way. Dominik Grüllich had more than ten match darts against Duyane Wade Decena but failed to finish the job. Bates could not overhaul Van den Herik either. He lost his semi-final to Kaya Baysal in a deciding leg.

Jamai van den Herik made his World Championship debut last year and returns to Ally Pally
The main objective was achieved. Van den Herik, like last year, is heading to the Worlds and additionally holds a Tour Card for the next two seasons.
Jack Drayton endured a nightmare closing weekend. The Englishman started with a healthy cushion in second place but suffered multiple early exits. In the final event he lost in the last 64 to Decena, which saw him slide further down.
ADVERTISEMENT
Drayton seals a Tour Card alongside Van den Herik, while not claiming a World Championship spot such has been his poor weekend.
Van der Velde seizes final chance
Van der Velde also looked set to miss out on the Worlds for a long time. The 23-year-old Dutchman had lost ground after a strong start to the season, but during the final event he suddenly saw a path to Alexandra Palace reopen.
As rivals fell away, Van der Velde kept winning. In the semi-final he knew one more victory would be enough for a Worlds ticket. Decena, who had earlier taken out several key contenders, could not halt him.
He then lost the final to Baysal, but that no longer altered the Dutch success story. Van der Velde is back at the Worlds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read also
Baysal wrapped up the Development Tour with the tournament win. Despite playing only nine of the 24 events, he secured places at next year’s UK Open and World Masters.
Final PDC Development Tour standings
| Rank | Name | Prize money |
| 1 | Sebastian Bialecki | 21900 |
| 2 | Jurjen van der Velde | 12350 |
| 3 | Cam Crabtree | 12350 |
| 4 | Jamai van den Herik | 12250 |
| 5 | Owen Bates | 12200 |
| 6 | Jack Drayton | 12200 |
| 7 | Leon Weber | 11350 |
| 8 | Dominik Gruellich | 11300 |
| 9 | Archie Self | 10550 |
| 10 | James Beeton | 10400 |
| 11 | Henry Coates | 9050 |
| 12 | Dylan Slevin | 9050 |
| 13 | Adam Gawlas | 8550 |
| 14 | Charlie Manby | 8500 |
| 15 | Kaya Baysal | 8350 |
| 16 | Nathan Potter | 8100 |

Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- 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





