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Notable players fighting for 2026 Grand Slam of Darts spot in Friday's qualifier originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Grand Slam of Darts' qualification field expanded to 48 players this year, yet some talented players haven't punched their ticket entering Friday.
This is because its unique qualification process rewards players who won titles and had other successes in the last ~12 months.
Some big names haven't done that, and will have to play in the tour-card holder qualifier on Friday to try and squeeze in at the last minute.
Notable players fighting for 2026 Grand Slam of Darts spot in Friday's qualifier
10 spots are still available in the event, so there's a decent number of players in the TCH qualifier who will get in, but still, it's not a given.
*Gary Anderson would have made the list, but he WD from the TCH qualifier
MORE: 2026 Grand Slam of Darts qualifier tracker: Littler, Humphries headline qualifying field
Stephen Bunting
Bunting was in the Premier League for a second consecutive season, but hasn't had any titles or major runs in the last 12 months to get him into the event.
He enters the TCH qualifier as the top seed, so he has a quality shot at returning to Wolverhampton, but he'll need a few wins first.
He was a semifinalist in 2023, but failed to make it out of the group stage last year. He'll hope to have a shot at redemption if he can get through tomorrow.
Danny Noppert
The GSoD last year was one of several majors Noppert had a semifinal run at.
He's the second-highest-ranked player behind Bunting to not have a spot yet (#10 on Main OoM).
He had a few chances to qualify this year, as he was a runner-up on the European Tour twice, but couldn't complete the job those times.
Dirk van Duijvenbode
DVD had a couple of chances to clinch a spot, including at the Matchplay if he had made the final, as well as a final run at a floor event.
Martin Lukeman is the other seed in his qualifier draw on Friday, so his chances look good of getting through if the draw plays out in his favor.
Damon Heta
Heta's best chance at making the event this year was when he had a final run at a floor event.
He made a few semifinal runs on the Euro Tour, but will have to battle on Friday for his spot. The other seed in his qualifier bracket is Mickey Mansell.
Other players battling for a spot
- William O'Connor
- Daryl Gurney
- Dave Chisnall
- Joe Cullen
- Mike De Decker
- Niko Springer
- Peter Wright
- Michael Smith
- Ricardo Pietreczko
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- Full Luke Littler darts schedule for 2026 with confirmed dates, events and more to know
- Updated PDC Darts Order of Merit world rankings
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/notable-players-fighting-2026-grand-013917850.html
