The WDF World Championship at the home of World Darts, the Lakeside will take place between November 28 - December 7th but who is currently qualified for the tournament five months in to the new season.
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David Fatum who reached the final of the Dutch Open being the first since 1998 leads the way and currently will be top seed at Frimley Green. 'The Scorpion' leads the WDF USA Ranking Table and heads up the list alongside Shane McGuirk.
The current World Champion is one of numerous names who qualify by right. He is followed by James Beeton and also Jeffrey Sparidaans, the latter is set for a Lakeside return after winning the 2025 Dutch Open.
Benjamin Pratnemer, Alex Spellman lead the East Europe and USA ranking table qualifiers respectively. While David Cameron won the 2025 Las Vegas Open to rubber stamp his return.
Thomas Junghans, Jason Brandon and Bradley Kirk who played last year are set for returns. While Marko Kantele and Raymond Smith have both booked spots. Ryan Hogarth leads the UK & Ireland Ranking Table of those not yet qualified.
Karl Schaefer joins Smith on the Australia ranking table too. While Jimmy van Schie who is the current WDF World No.1 as well as Paul Lim are set for returns to Lakeside currently. The Singapore Slinger famously made the final last December in a fairytale run.
Others set include Jonny Tata, Mark Cleaver, Hannes Schnier, Robbie King, Martyn Turner. As well as Brian Raman, Francois Schweyen, David Pallett and Peter Machin out of the race table with four more qualifiers also set later this year.
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Men
Top 16
1. David Fatum (USA) - USA ranking table
2. Shane McGuirk (IRE) - 2024 World Championship winner
3. James Beeton (ENG)
4. Jeffrey Sparidaans (NED) - 2025 Dutch Open winner
5. Benjamin Pratnemer (SLO) - East Europe ranking table
6. David Cameron (CAN) - 2025 Las Vegas Open winner
7. Alex Spellman (USA) - USA ranking table
8. Thomas Junghans (SWI)
9. Marko Kantele (FIN) - 2024 Irish Open winner
10. Jason Brandon (USA)
11. Ryan Hogarth (SCO) - UK & Ireland ranking table
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12. Bradley Kirk (ENG)
13. Raymond Smith (AUS) - 2025 South Australian Classic winner, Australia ranking table
14. Karl Schaefer (AUS) - Australia ranking table
15. Jimmy van Schie (NED)
16. Paul Lim (SGP)
Gold & Platinum Event Winners
17. Denmark Open winner
18. Toronto Area Open winner
19. New Zealand Open winner
20. Korean Open winner
Regional Ranking Table Qualifiers
21. Robert Okalany (UGA) - Africa & Western Asia
22. Teng-Lieh Pupo (TAI) - Asia
23. Tseng Chi-Jui (TAI) - Asia
24. Robbie King (AUS) - Australia ranking table
25. Robbie Mills (CAN) - Canada ranking table
26. Martin Tremblay (CAN) - Canada ranking table
27. Hannes Schnier (AUT) - East Europe ranking table
28. Jonny Tata (NZL) - New Zealand ranking table
29. Mark Cleaver (NZL) - New Zealand ranking table
30. North Europe #1
31. North Europe #2
32. Martyn Turner (ENG) - UK & Ireland ranking table
33. Norbert Attard (MLT) - West Europe ranking table
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Race Table
34. Brian Raman (BEL)
35. Jeff Springer Jr (USA)
36. Francois Schweyen (BEL)
37. Alain Abiabi (PHI)
38. Andy Davidson (SCO)
39. David Pallett (ENG)
40. Darren Johnson (ENG)
41. Aaron Turner (ENG)
42. David Platt (AUS)
43. Scott Walters (ENG)
44. Peter Machin (ENG)
Qualifiers*
45. Qualifier #1
46. Qualifier #2
47. Qualifier #3
48. Qualifier #4
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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.
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- Play all legs and the winners split the pot. Luke gets the lot of he wins them all. If your occupation is darts player you can't enter, regardless of ability.BandB01-11-2026
- I'm quite a jaded person all things considered, but to be honest I found Beat Luke Littler to be pretty entertaining. It certainly wasn't seamless, which is to be expected given the lack of precedence, but I actually think the pacing was pretty good, the production was impressive, and there was a good sense of humour and levity to it. I think it was a very ambitious undertaking but one that, for the most part, paid off. I liked the system with the four pots and I think it added to the drama and intrigue. I enjoyed seeing the diverse range of entrants and learning about their backstories. I think the interactivity was pretty clever and well-integrated. The panel was a little incoherent at times; Lee Mack shone however, and his improvisational skills were appreciated during some more awkward interstitial moments. As far as the darts is concerned, it was a shame that the format didn't allow Littler to get into full flow. You obviously don't want him to steamroll everyone but you want to feel like you're getting the full Littler package rather than seeing him struggling to get out of first gear. I will say that his leg against Jayden Walker was very impressive, but it was mostly downhill from there. The attraction revolves around Littler being this untouchable, indomitable force, yet the format doesn't really allow him to fulfil that characterisation. As for Fallon Sherrock, she was mightily impressive and deserved the victory. It is a testament to her unshakeable character that she was able to bang in a 14-darter under such mind-bending pressure. Everything that has been said about the misleading marketing is valid, though they were clear about their eligibility criteria and were able to offload the responsibility somewhat by bringing the viewers into the decision-making process in real time. What is clear though, is that Fallon played the game according to the rules, and she should not be criticised for that, much less abused. I will admit though that it is a kick in the teeth for those true amateurs who committed time and money to the course, and I would also question those who think pub players would have no chance, given that some of Littler's winning legs were dispatched in 7 visits to the board! The great thing about darts is that it isn't so much that amateurs cannot replicate the feats of brilliance pulled off by professionals of the sport, than it is that they simply cannot replicate the consistency of their output, something that this format almost entirely removes from the equation. It should also be noted that, financially, Fallon certainly stands to benefit much less in relative terms from the paycheque than would your average pub thrower, as I'm sure she nets a fair income from the lucrative exhibition circuit alone. What I do hope is that she might use this as an opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the new season, as it seems long overdue that she come through Q-School and really take it to the pros on a week-in week-out basis, but whatever she chooses to do, she has certainly achieved enough already for one if not several lifetimes, so who am I to dictate terms? To conclude though, I will state once again that I found Beat Luke Littler to be a pretty enjoyable evening of entertainment. I do feel for the contestants who never actually had the chance to try their luck against the world #1, although I suppose it comes with the format, but all which inevitably raises the question: will Netflix be tempted to do it all again next year? It's hard to say. Whether it would be financially viable, I can't weigh in there. One point I have been making though, and which I touched on earlier, is that the entire concept relies on a public perception that Littler is more or less unbeatable, and that certainly hasn't been the case of late. If the execs had been trying to pitch the show in recent months while Littler has seemed vulnerable, rather than when he was mopping up almost every major title on the calendar, it would certainly be a tougher sell. We will have to see in about 6 months' time whether Littler can still reliably command perception as a near-unstoppable force in darts, and then we'll have a clearer idea about whether we should expect a second helping. Even as a one-off experiment though, and with all the controversy taken into account, I still don't think they disgraced themselves by any means, and that will probably be my lingering assessment of the event when all is said and done.Deduce635801-11-2026
- Fair play to Fallon. But...shows the mockery when a professional players wins what was meant to be an amateur v Pro event, Littlers performance was poor, and what about the players who didn't get a game? Would have been better if the pot was split amoungst all the winners and they all got a leg.BandB31-10-2026
- 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