These players have lost their PDC Tour Cards before the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship – including a former world champion and a nine-dart hero

The qualifying tournament for Tour Card holders ahead of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship has delivered its usual dose of late-season jeopardy. And for a sizeable group of players, the outcome is brutal. Fifteen professionals have now officially lost their PDC Tour Cards, meaning their status on the professional circuit expires immediately after Alexandra Palace.

The list features a former world champion, a player responsible for one of the most iconic Ally Pally moments of recent years, several once-highly-tipped prospects, and a number of throwers whose form simply didn’t translate into enough ranking money over the two-year cycle.

The confirmed list of departing Tour Card holders includes a mix of well-known figures and players who have spent recent seasons fighting to maintain their position on the circuit.

The most recognisable name is Jelle Klaasen, the former BDO world champion whose career has spanned televised breakthroughs, long spells on the ProTour, and periodic battles with form. His defeat in the qualifier means his current spell as a Tour Card holder now ends.

Also leaving the professional ranks is William Borland, whose last-leg nine-darter against Bradley Brooks at the World Championship a few years ago remains one of the most memorable Ally Pally moments of the past decade.

Florian Hempel drops off the tour following his qualifier exit, while Benjamin Drue Reus, the Danish thrower who earned his Tour Card through European Q-School, also loses his place. Dylan Slevin, representing the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland’s Nathan Rafferty both miss out after failing to gather enough ranking money across the two-year cycle.

Further names confirmed to be losing their Tour Cards include Jim Williams, Berry van Peer, Patrick Geeraets, Jitse Van der Wal, Martijn Dragt, George Killington, Michele Turetta, Tim Wolters, and Jules van Dongen.

For all fifteen players, the path back is clear but unforgiving. They must return to Q-School in January to attempt to win their Tour Cards back, or else rely on the Challenge Tour, MODUS Super Series, WDF circuits, and other such events to rebuild momentum.

Historically, some players have bounced back strongly, while others disappear into the depth of the circuit for years. The size and profile of this year’s group ensures that the 2026 Q-School will be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

One thing is certain: the shake-up has already reshaped the professional landscape before the first dart is even thrown at Ally Pally. And for those on this list, the long road back to the sport’s top tier starts now.