The race for a place at the World Grand Prix 2026 is entering its decisive phase. With two European Tour events left before the qualification window closes, several players are not yet safe. Especially around the final berths, plenty can still shift over the next week and a half.
The World Grand Prix runs from 28.09.2026 to 04.10.2026 and, thanks to its unique format, is one of the most distinctive tournaments on the PDC calendar. It is the only major where every leg must not only finish on a double, but also start on a double. A total of 32 players will line up, with the top 16 on the PDC Order of Merit receiving invitations, supplemented by the 16 highest-ranked non-qualified players from the ProTour Order of Merit.
The cut-off falls on 14.09.2026. Before then, two Euro Tour events remain with significant prize money on offer. The Czech Darts Open takes place in Prague from 04-09-2026 to 06-09-2026. A week later, from 11-09-2026 to 13-09-2026, the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp offers a last chance to alter the picture.
The field is headed by defending champion Luke Littler, who took the title last year by beating Luke Humphries 6-1 in sets in the final. Who starts as the second seed is still open: Humphries currently holds that spot, but Gian van Veen is right on his heels. The next two Euro Tours could therefore decide who sits behind Littler as the No. 2 seed. In the main Order of Merit, Gerwyn Price then follows as Jonny Clayton, James Wade, Josh Rock, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Danny Noppert complete the top 10.
The tightest battle sits around the very last qualifying place, currently held by Cristo Reyes. The Spaniard would return to the World Grand Prix for the first time since 2017, but his cushion is slim. Sebastian Bialecki is the first chaser, only £1,500 behind Reyes, though the young Pole will play only one of the two remaining Euro Tours, while Reyes can collect prize money in both Prague and Antwerp. Kim Huybrechts is not out of it either, sitting 18th on the relevant ProTour ranking, £2,500 adrift of Reyes, but likewise has only one Euro Tour left. For Karel Sedlacek, currently 19th, the task is far bigger: he trails Reyes by £7,750 and also has just one remaining Euro Tour start. Beau Greaves too is unlikely to make her debut, sitting 21st.
Others are perhaps more surprising that they won't make it, as Martin Schindler's drop off is there for all to see. He sits 23rd in the main Order of Merit and 20th in the ProTour. Mike de Decker, former champion, is also likely to miss out, while Daryl Gurney, Ritchie Edhouse, and Ricardo Pietreczko are also set to miss out. The same can be said for Michael Smith and Peter Wright, who are well clear and so neither will be there, as well as Raymond van Barneveld, showing the true changing of the guard. That makes the Czech Darts Open and Flanders Darts Trophy pivotal not only in the title races. For several players, much more is on the line. The final decision falls on 13-09-2026, when we will know which 32 players can begin the hunt for the World Grand Prix title later that month.