After Martin Schindler and Max Hopp, Jan Schmidt is only the third German to reach the final of the PDC World Youth Championship. If he wins the match in November, he will qualify for the World Darts Championship, which begins in December. If he loses, “Lightning’s” dream of playing at the 2026 Worlds will be over. At least, that is what Jan Schmidt thought until recently.
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However, a PDC rule change has now come to light that could give the young player from Herford a chance to compete at the World Championship after all. And he may not even have to play another match.
The day that could change everything
5 October 2026 was set to become the most successful day of Jan Schmidt’s darts career. It was the day of the World Youth Championship. Schmidt had qualified for the event through the Development Tour. Given the strength of the other competitors, however, the Herford player was not among the favourites.
Jan Schmidt has a realistic chance of qualifying for the World Darts Championship.
The field included not only Development Tour winner Sebastian Bialecki and major semi-finalists Keane Barry and Adam Gawlas, but also Luke Littler, who was looking to win the title again after his 2023 triumph.
But things turned out differently, and Schmidt reached the final after an impressive run. On his way to the showpiece, he beat Sebastian Bialecki in the last 16, defeated this year’s Pro Tour winner Henry Coates in the quarter-finals and overcame World Championship quarter-finalist Charlie Manby in the semi-finals.
“Lightning” therefore reached the first World Youth Championship final featuring a German since 2018. On that occasion, Martin Schindler lost 6–3 to Dimitri Van den Bergh.
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Who is Schmidt’s opponent in the final?
The final is traditionally played on stage in Minehead during the last session of the Players Championship Finals. Schmidt’s opponent is Cameron Crabtree. The Englishman sprang a surprise by winning the deciding leg of the other semi-final against Luke Littler.
Crabtree has one significant advantage over his opponent: he has already qualified for the World Championship. After his strong performances on the Development Tour this year, his place at Ally Pally in December was secured even before the World Youth Championship final.
For a long time, Schmidt’s route to a place in the biggest tournament of the year seemed to depend on beating Crabtree in their match at the end of November. The World Youth Championship winner qualifies directly for the Worlds.
Cam Crabtree is Jan Schmidt’s opponent in the World Youth Championship final.
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Schmidt’s alternative would be to win the Super League, the qualifying event for German players that begins on 10 November.
Another route to World Championship qualification?
Recent developments have revealed another way for the German to qualify, and he may not need to play another match to do so.
Jan Schmidt appeared this week on the debut episode of “Checkout: Best of 5”, a podcast from “Checkout”. He revealed what Philipp Brezinski told him when he asked whether he would have to play his first Grand Slam of Darts match on Saturday afternoon. The Super League ends the day before the Grand Slam of Darts begins, and Schmidt has a realistic chance of reaching its final session.
By reaching the final, Schmidt also qualified for this year’s Grand Slam of Darts, becoming the second German to do so after Gabriel Clemens.
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That leaves little time between a possible semi-final or final and the first session of the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts.
Schmidt was therefore surprised when Brzinski told him not only that he would not have to play on Saturday afternoon, but that he might even be able to miss the Super League altogether.
PDC rule change keeps Schmidt’s hopes alive
That information is linked to Cam Crabtree and a change to the PDC rules.
Until now, the beaten finalist at the World Youth Championship would not receive a place at Ally Pally if his opponent had already qualified for the Worlds.
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That is why, for example, Jurjen van der Velde was in tears on stage almost two years ago after missing several match darts against Gian van Veen and eventually letting the win slip away.
That rule now appears to have changed. The reason has to do with Schmidt’s opponent in the World Youth Championship final.
Cam Crabtree is a current PDC Tour Card holder and still has a chance to qualify for the Worlds through the Pro Tour. If he does, Schmidt will automatically take one of the 96 places in the World Championship field.
As things stand, Crabtree is 42nd in the Pro Tour Order of Merit. Only the top 40 will qualify in December. He currently trails Raymond van Barneveld by £1,250.
If Crabtree can make up the prize-money deficit and qualify for the World Championship through that ranking, his place in the field would go to Jack Drayton, who would be next in line on the Development Tour rankings. Jan Schmidt would then be guaranteed a place at the Ally Pally regardless of the outcome of the World Youth Championship final, as he would also qualify as runner-up.
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Schmidt delighted by the news
Speaking on the Checkout podcast, Schmidt was pleased with Brzinski’s response. “If Cam Crabtree qualifies for the World Championship through the Pro Tour, I’m in too, regardless of how the World Youth Championship final goes. I went crazy at work when I heard the news. I was so happy.”
“Lightning” added: “I’m looking forward to being a Cam Crabtree fan over the next week and a half. If he hits the one decisive match dart next Thursday that could move him into the top 40, I’ll be shouting the place down at work. I promise you that.”
The final two Players Championship events of the season take place in England next week. If Crabtree breaks into the Pro Tour top 40 in Leicester, Schmidt’s place at the World Championship will be confirmed. The 22-year-old said on “Checkout” that he would then withdraw from the Super League.
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That would benefit Kevin Troppmann, who would move up through the Next-Gen Tour. Schmidt could then focus on the Grand Slam of Darts, which starts on 14.11, without the uncertainty of still having to qualify for the World Championship.
For now, whether Jan Schmidt qualifies for the Ally Pally is out of his hands. Next week, he will probably be one of Cam Crabtree’s biggest supporters, knowing that a little under a month later, Crabtree could be his opponent in the biggest match of Schmidt’s career.
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.
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- Not even slightly interestedrick6730-10-2026
- And yet the PDC has decided to aggravate this problem by doubling the Players Championship Finals field from 2027. I can't imagine there will be fewer withdrawals next year with even less reason to turn up. I can only hope that a whole slew of Challenge Tour top-up players receive enough prize money in the absence of much of the elite, that some of the more complacent among them struggle to scrape into even a heavily diluted field! More semi-pro players will get to test their mettle, but the standard of competition will be much inferior. It could hardly be said that the Players Championship series will provide an opportunity for darts' second string to test their Tour Card credentials anymore, but at least it will underscore the achievements of those Challenge Tour players of current and previous years, who were able to prove themselves as more than capable of competing with, and beating, the elite of the sport on a consistent basis, and reaping the due rewards.Deduce635828-10-2026
- No point in being there? Champions want to win.Deduce635828-10-2026
- Littler lost to crabtree in the youth/junior/whatever you call it. He had no point in being there. He's unfortunately now got to the stage,he feels all he has to do is get on the stage to win. Well,I hope he realises part of his fear factor has gone. Happened to Taylor,then van gerwen,and it's causing him to realise pretty sharp,he isn't unstoppable. It's good for the sport,not 1 single player in my 60 years has ever,or will ever be, unbeatable.rick6725-10-2026
- I think it's great to see Mark Webster looking good,good ladrick6725-10-2026
- I agree,I can't believe the lack of coverage of this sad loss. Always enjoyed watching him,but I guess now it's all about littler,well it seems that way. Darts has sadly lost a good manrick6717-10-2026
- In the absence of a report regarding the death of Stefan Lord, I'll assist. An excellent player in the late 70s and early 80s, he actually won the now defunct 3rd place match at two World Championships and a couple of the News of the World Championships. A fabulous player and easily the best Swedish player ever. Rest peacefully Stefan.richieburnettrocks16-10-2026
- Joking aside, it is the second most watched sport on sky (more than golf, F1 etc) behind football only, and in participation is second to only football and swimming. It doesn't get the attention or sponsorship of "bigger" sports because it's not as sexy, but it's right up there.BandB13-10-2026
- i love darts but you can't seriously believe it's the second most popular sport in the uk. even top five is pushing it. it may be the fastest growing, though.colt13-10-2026
- I'm a big Clayton fan, but he's got this completely wrong. Qualification criteria exists for a reason - so just as failing to make the top 32/64 for the Euro championships/PT Finals means you miss out, so does not lifting a title for this one.26sForFun12-10-2026
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