Major rule slammed after World Darts Championship change | Other | Sport

A major new rule has been announced ahead of the World Darts Championship final between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen. On Saturday evening, the pair will go head‑to‑head, with Littler aiming to retain his title this year.

The 18‑year‑old beat Ryan Searle 6–1 in the semi‑finals, while Van Veen defeated Gary Anderson 6–3 to reach his first World Championship final. The winner will take home a record £1million in prize money. Meanwhile, the organisation has also confirmed the dates for aspiring darts players to attempt to earn a Pro Tour Card through Q School.

Justin Hood, a new fan favourite at Alexandra Palace, qualified in the latest batch of UK Q School recruit. The UK Qualifying School takes place in Milton Keynes, while the European event is held in Kalkar, Germany from January 5 to 11.

But one rule change has sparked controversy among fans. Under section 5.2 of the PDC Ranking Rules, it states: “Tour Cards shall be awarded to the last two players of each day’s play in Final Stage at both the UK and European Q School.”

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) adds: “Once a player has been awarded a Tour Card they shall not play in the remainder of Q School Final Stage and the next highest ranked players from the relevant First Stage Ranking List will be invited to play. 

“Players from this First Stage Ranking List may also be used to top up the field for Final Stage to 128 players in the event of any withdrawals to ensure a full field for each day.”

Before this change, only the winner on any given day received a Tour Card. The change has sparked debate on social media, with one fan saying: “Ridiculous idea. In what way will this improve the standard of the pro tour?”

Another added: “What’s the point in playing a final then,” while a third questioned: “Whose bright idea was that?” Another fan, said: “They make a positive change by topping up to 128 each day and then go and spoil it by doing that.”

The PDPA noted a series of other changes to its Qualifying School rules:

• Each First Stage play to 16 qualifiers each day.
• Each Final Stage plays to two winners each day.
• Final Stage winners will be replaced by the next in line from the First Stage tables such that there are 128 players each day allowing points to be awarded for wins in the last 128.
• Players losing their Tour Cards may choose to take Challenge Tour
• Only status rather than compete at Q School.
• Eight highest eligible players from each Affiliate Tour earn free entry with the highest exempted to Final Stage.