Darts champion-turned-commentator takes step towards regaining tour card in Q-School

Jan 7, 2026 - 19:00

Darts legend John Part is through to the final stage of UK Q-School as he attempts to win back his tour card.

The three-time world champion and Sky Sports commentator hopes for one final crack at glory after initially losing his Tour Card in 2019.

Part is one of almost 900 hopefuls taking part at Q-School events in Kalkar, Germany and Milton Keynes, UK eyeing a converted PDC Tour Card.

What is Q-School?

The Qualifying School (Q-School) marks the start of the PDC tournament year.

At the end of each year, some players lose their Tour Card and their opportunity to take part in the PDC’s professional tournaments.

Q-School is divided into two phases with the first phase taking place from January 5 to 7, and the crucial final phase from January 8 to 11.

Players who lost their PDC Tour Card last season or finished in the top eight on the Challenge Tour and Development Tour are immediately qualified for the final stage.

Part was not among the top eight and therefore had some work to do to reach the final stage.

Should the 59-year-old come through the final stage then he will acquire one of four Tour Cards ahead of the upcoming competitive year.

If all else fails, there is also the opportunity for him to earn one of three cards which are issued through the Order of Merit system.

That sees a total of 16 cards handed out to European players with 13 issued to UK stars meaning Part’s hopes could be heavily boosted.

If Part obtains his Tour Card then it will allow him to enter Pro Tour tournaments with 34 Players Championship events scheduled in 2026.

John Part is ready to put down the microphone for one more darts run[/caption]

It will also offer him the opportunity to feature in qualifying tournaments for the Euro Tour events, the Grand Slam of Darts, World Series of Darts Finals and the World Championship qualifying tournament.

Star names who have benefitted from Q-School

Gerwyn Price, Dave Chinsall and Danny Noppert are just a few of the names that have benefitted from Q-School since its inception in 2011.

‘The Iceman’ secured his card in 2014 and went on to become the world no.1 before landing the PDC World Darts Championship in 2021.

Dave Chisnall won the first ever Q-School event in 2011 and Danny Noppert qualified by topping the European Order of Merit in 2018.

Other notable names to have claimed their Tour Card include Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and Nathan Aspinall.

Part has left a lasting legacy on the sport but is not yet ready to throw in the towel.

The Canadian career didn’t start until he was 21 but he went on to win three world titles[/caption]

He broke through in 1994, winning the BDO World Darts Championship on his debut becoming the first non-British player to achieve the feat.

He scooped a second world title in 2003, winning the PDC World Darts Championship, to end Phil Taylor run of eight consecutive titles.

His third and last world title came in 2008 when he beat Kirk Shepherd in the PDC final to become the first player to win world championships in three different venues.