Final four Amateur Qualifiers for the 2026 UK Open confirmed: the man who stunned 12 years ago by defeating Taylor, Wright and Price returns

The field of Amateur Qualifiers for the Ladbrokes UK Open 2026 is complete. The final places were decided last weekend in the PDC in the Community Qualifiers and the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.

From March 6 to 8, the circus heads to Butlin's Minehead Resort, where the biggest names in darts will battle for the coveted title. It is currently held by none other than world number one Luke Littler.

The tournament again features a field of 160 players. All 128 Tour Card holders are automatically entered. In addition, the top eight players from both the Development Tour and the Challenge Tour Order of Merit receive a berth. The field is completed by sixteen Amateur Qualifiers. Four of those sixteen tickets were awarded last weekend.

Aden Kirk secured a return to the UK Open via the PDC in the Community Qualifier at the Somercotes Snooker Club in Alfreton. That means the Englishman will make his third appearance in Minehead in 2026.

Kirk already made history at the UK Open in 2014. He produced one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history by eliminating 16-time world champion Phil Taylor and reaching the last 16. In that same edition he also defeated Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright.

The 33-year-old from Derbyshire, a tournament winner on the Winmau Challenge Tour in 2024, showcased his class again in Somercotes. In the decisive final he beat Connor Bowler 6-3 with a strong 92 average.

Samuel Whittaker also booked his place in Minehead. He won the Community Qualifier in Enderby by defeating Ryan Hawkes 5-3 in the final. That sets him up for his television debut. Whittaker, who featured at UK Q-School in January, overcame former Lakeside finalist Mark McGeeney 5-3 in the semi-finals.

Lewis Pearse and Jake Eichen completed the list of the newest Amateur Qualifiers via the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers in Harlow and London Victoria respectively.

Pearse edged through in Harlow after a nerve-racking last-leg decider against Joe Croft. He survived multiple match darts against him to secure his debut on the big stage.

Eichen will also make his first TV appearance in Minehead. He emerged as the winner from a 142-player field on the qualifying day at London Victoria, capping a strong campaign.