Challenge Tour & Induction

PDPA MEMBERSHIP

As a Challenge Tour player, you are an ‘Associate Member’ of the PDPA for 2026. What this means is you are bound by our rules Click Here as well as the PDC and DRA rules.

You will be required to be on our database so we can send you information, so you will be required to fill in a PDPA Contacts form at some point, or an update if you have player before.

ELIGIBILITY

You have to play (Not Just Enter) Q-School to be eligible to play on the Challenge Tour, players who have lost their Tour Card and do not wish to be exempt in the final stage of Q-School can enter Q-School to play on the Challenge Tour only. But are required to inform the PDC in writing. 

WHAT EVENTS CAN I PLAY IN

You can play in all Challenge Tour events, as a top up for Players Championships if 128 not reached (Top of CTOoM Table at time of deadline) you can also play in the Rileys UK Open Qualifiers if not already qualified via another Table. 

INCENTIVES

The following invitations are offered to players competing in the Challenge Tour.

The three highest ranked players on the 2026 Challenge Tour Rankings receive an invitation to the 2026/27 World Championship. NOTE: if any of the players who achieve the above otherwise qualify for the 2026/27 World Championship, or reject their invitations, further places shall be offered to other players from the relevant Order of Merit until the places are filled.

For clarity, the order of priority in which players can qualify for the World Championship is as follows:- Main Rankings - ProTour Rankings- Development Tour Rankings - Challenge Tour Rankings. 

The top two players on the final 2025 Challenge and Development Tour Orders of Merit who have not otherwise qualified for Tour Cards for 2025 will receive two-year Tour Cards. NOTE: if any of the players who achieve the above otherwise qualify for a Tour Card or reject their invitations, places will be offered further down the Challenge and Development Tour Orders of Merit. 

The players who finish third to 16th (count-back applied in event of ties) on the 2026 Challenge Tour Rankings will receive free entry to the 2027 Q School.

NOTE: in the event that any of the players above already have a Tour Card or qualify otherwise for a Q School place, places will be offered further down the Challenge Tour Rankings.

Should a player reject their invitation, places will not be offered further down the Challenge Tour Rankings - In the event of entries exceeding 256 per Event, the PDC reserves the right to alter the format or entry criteria.

PDPA CHALLENGE TOUR REPRESENTATIVE

There will always be a PDPA representative at The Challenge Tour, if you need anything at the event see the PDPA Representative 

PDPA WELLBEING:

Sporting Chance: We take all our members health seriously, especially mental health – if you have any problems or issues, please do contact us, we treat with full confidentiality.

You can also call our Sporting Chance Hotline which is specifically for Dart Players.

Please call this number below it is FREE, please also add this number to you phone so you have it at hand if you need it.

CONFIDENTIAL 24/7 HELPLINE No +44 (0) 7780 00 88 77

ThriveAPP: Train your mind with the FREE Thrive Wellbeing APP

BETTING INTEGRITY

You must note that as a PDPA Member in a DRA Sanctioned event. You ARE NOT allowed to bet on any darts match FULL STOP whether you are playing, not playing or it is a different organisation.

SIMPLE – DO NOT BET ON DARTS

If you are approached by anyone to fix a match YOU MUST report this ASAP to [email protected] or [email protected] OR to any official at an event so they can pass it on or give our details to you. If you fall foul of these rules, you could be banned for a significant period.

AGENTS/SPONSORS CONTRACTS

If you are looking to sign a contract. WAIT – THINK We can help you with this, we will check your contract to make sure it is a viable contract for your needs. This is FREE for you, we can also use our PDPA Solicitor for any legal checks.

Always check before you sign. You can send to PDPA CEO Alan Warriner-Little [email protected] Contracts van be legally binding so once you sign it you could be viable for all of its contents.

ONLINE ASBUSE

If you do get any online social media abuse, make sure you:

  • Report it to us.
  • Do not reply.
  • Block the abuser.

We also have other help, advice, and tools which we can send you. These are our social media guidelines CLICK HERE

EVENT ENTRIES

If your manager/agent/friend do entries for you, it is worth finding out how they are done for future reference. To make sure you are all ready for the new season, please make sure you have entered the events prior to the deadlines.

EMAILS VIA MAIL CHIMP

We will send you information via email, so make sure we know your email address, and always check it regularly.

DRA REFERRAL

If you do get a DRA referral, you must first contact PDPA CEO Alan Warriner-Little [email protected] OR Mobile 07798 693998 OR PDPA Office 01228 594273 which is open 10am-4pm Mon-Fri

FULLY COMPLETE YOUR SPORT RADAR INFORMATION ONLINE

Go to your PDC account and fill in all the required info on your Personal Details. Its is extremely Important to include your emergency contact phone number and tick the PDPA terms and conditions at the bottom. 

PDPA SOCIAL MEDIA

We have a twitter, Instagram, and a Face Book Account, so for updated information or urgent news items please make sure you follow.

PDPA PARTNERS:

We have an assortment of PDPA Partners for your benefit, see below which one can benefit you and your career.

Red Star Education 
DartConnect
Prosperity Wealth (Pensions/Investments)
Money Matters (Free Government Website)
Griffiths & Pegg (Accountancy)
Travel Counsellors (Fights & ET Hotels)
Certis Car/Home/Travel Insurance
PDPA Sports Solicitor (Contracts)
GambleAware
GamStop
Psychologist
Hypnotherapy
Nutrionist
Sporting Chance (Mental Health & Addictive Behaviour)
PPF (Professional Players Federation)
THRIVE (Free Wellbeing App)
LAPS (Life After Professional Sport)
Future Pathway (Free Courses)