Dimitri Van den Bergh, Martin Lukeman, and Cameron Crabtree are among the players at major risk of losing their PDC Tour Cards, according to a new analysis. Van den Bergh, a multiple major winner and former World Matchplay champion, is the highest-ranked player on the list at 37th in the PDC Order of Merit, but his ranking money of £231,000 is heavily reliant on past success. The Belgian has seen his earnings plummet from £442,000 in 2023 to just £74,500 in 2025 and £20,750 so far in 2026. His average has dropped to 88.44 in 2026, and he has missed every major except the UK Open, World Championships, and World Cup. A 71.38 average in a European Tour qualifier and 76.61 in Players Championship Three highlight his struggles, while his 180s ranking has fallen from 15th in the world in 2023 to 157th in 2026. A recent European Tour win in Kiel is seen as a potential turning point, but with £135,700 from 2024 set to drop off his ranking, Van den Bergh must turn his season around.
Martin Lukeman, a former Grand Slam of Darts finalist, is also in danger after a dramatic decline. Lukeman reached the Grand Slam final in 2024, losing 3-16 to Luke Littler, but that £73,500 now accounts for 34% of his £216,250 ranking money. His win percentage has fallen from 54% in 2025 to 28% in 2026, and his average has dropped to 85.21, ranking him 259th in the world. He is 289th in 180s and has suffered 15 first-round exits on the pro tour in 2026. Lukeman admitted he is "struggling a little bit with my darts, swapping and changing," and dartitis has crept into his game. A UK Open last 16 is a rare bright spot, but he is currently £13,500 away from securing a place at Alexandra Palace, which may be needed to keep his card.
Cameron Crabtree, the 22-year-old Londoner known as 'Shazam', is world number 69 and has £91,250 in ranking money, with 80% coming from 2025. His average has dropped to 89.63 in 2026, and he has suffered 13 first-round exits with no European Tour appearances. Despite a functional doubles percentage of 46.95% that remains strong, his first-nine average has fallen to 97.65. Crabtree has shown flashes of brilliance, including a 107.68 average against Luke Woodhouse and a 106.85 average against Krzysztof Ratajski, but consistency has been lacking. To keep his card, the analysis suggests he must stop playing on the Development Tour and focus on ranking events.
