"You see players come in without qualifying and go straight into later rounds, it’s hard to take": Alan Soutar continues to lament European Tour qualification criteria

Alan Soutar has made an encouraging start to the 2026 PDC season, balancing life as a professional darts player, firefighter, and charity fundraiser with increasing confidence.

Speaking to Tungsten Tales, the Scotsman reflected on his early-season form, the demands of the modern tour, and the motivation behind his upcoming London Marathon challenge.

Six Pro Tours into the campaign, Soutar is pleased with where he stands. “It’s been a great start,” he said. “If you’d asked me at the beginning of the season whether I’d be in this position for the Worlds and Tour Card status, I’d have taken it. My floor form has been really good, so long may it continue.”

While ambition extends beyond simply retaining his Tour Card, Soutar is realistic about the increasing difficulty of staying competitive. “The baseline is being in the top 64 every year, and it’s getting harder,” he admitted. “There’s an influx of young players coming through, and they can skip past you quite quickly. You’re always looking over your shoulder.”

Despite that, he acknowledges that rankings are never far from any player’s mind. “Everyone checks the rankings page,” he added. “I’ve got a thing with Max Hopp, we always say ‘still green’ when we see each other. It’s a nice little joke.”

Now in his sixth year on the PDC circuit, Soutar believes his extensive background in the game has been key. “I didn’t come into it as a new player, I’d played darts for almost 30 years,” he explained. “That experience helped in the early years, but as it becomes event after event, your preparation and mindset change.”

One of the biggest changes has been a renewed focus on fitness. “A lot of players are trying to look after themselves better,” he said. “I’ve been running more, and that freshness and mindset of wanting to improve really helps, because the tour is gruelling, it really is.”

That commitment to fitness has taken on extra significance as Soutar prepares for the London Marathon in April, raising funds for Guide Dogs UK.

“I’m absolutely loving it,” he said. “I used to be a runner in the Armed Forces, but that was 20 to 25 years ago, so it’s a bit more challenging now at 48.”

The training has transformed his daily routine during tournaments. “Instead of lying about in the mornings, I’ll go out for a run, whether that’s Leicester, Hildesheim, Wigan or Milton Keynes,” he explained. “Then I’m back, showered, had breakfast, and ready for the day. It sets you up much better.”

The cause is a personal one. Soutar and his partner Amanda have raised guide dog puppies for years. “We’re on our eighth dog now,” he said. “We raise them from eight weeks until about 14 months before they go into full training. It’s a big part of our lives.”

The marathon idea came from his manager, and the shared goal has strengthened their working relationship. “We’ve both lost weight, we feel better, and if the money we raise helps even one person, that’s enough for me.”

Having already surpassed the initial £2,000 fundraising target, Soutar is now aiming for £5,000, a milestone that would allow him to name a guide dog puppy. “The darts community has been incredible,” he said. “The support has been brilliant, and we’ve still got a few weeks to go.”

Soutar’s World Championship campaign ended earlier than hoped, but he remains philosophical about his defeat to Gian van Veen. “I always joke that someone moved double eight and double 16,” he said with a smile.

After progressing through a tough opening match, he felt he had an opportunity. “I went one set up and felt he was struggling,” he recalled. “If I’d gone 2-0 up, it might have been a different game. But from then on, he was just relentless, 180s, big finishes. He was just that bit better.”

Soutar believes that kind of edge often comes down to experience on the biggest stages. “He’s played a lot more European Tours, and that stage time makes a difference,” he said. “But I did beat him on the Pro Tour in Wigan recently, so I got my own back.”

The European Tour system remains a point of contention for Soutar, who has previously voiced concerns about its structure. “They’re massive events, and the prize money is huge,” he said. “But I don’t think the system is great.”

Late withdrawals and replacements, particularly involving top-ranked players, can be frustrating for those outside the elite bracket. “For players ranked around 40 to 60, it’s tough,” he explained. “You see players come in without qualifying and go straight into later rounds. It’s hard to take.”

Reflecting on earlier years, he added: “When I first got my Tour Card, there were more qualifying spots. It gave more players opportunities and made it exciting.”

Still working as a firefighter, Soutar continues to juggle multiple commitments, a situation he hopes will change in the near future. “I’ve got 21 months left, then I can retire,” he said. “The plan is to keep my Tour Card until 2028, and then I can dedicate more time to darts.”

He believes that extra time could make a significant difference.

“I’ve hit 100-plus averages this season, but I also drop into the mid-80s, and that’s not good enough,” he admitted. “You need to be around 95 consistently.”

Looking ahead to the World Cup of Darts, Soutar is excited by the potential Scottish pairing of Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies. “It’ll be brilliant to watch,” he said. “If they both score well, they could go very deep in the tournament.”

While selection has rarely been a realistic prospect for him given Scotland’s strength in depth, Soutar remains proud of his position in the national setup. “As a Scot, I’ll support whoever plays,” he added.