Notable darts players in danger of not qualifying for 2026 World Grand Prix

The World Grand Prix is the most unique tournament on the PDC darts schedule.

It has a double in/double out format that no other PDC event features.

Some of the top players in darts don't always perform as well in these events, and we see some surprising results from year to year.

The qualifying field is nearly complete, and some shocking names may not be at the event this year.

Notable darts players in danger of not qualifying for 2026 World Grand Prix

Let's take a look at a handful of the most notable players who won't/aren't on track to qualify.

*Cut-off for qualification is 9/14 (after Flanders Darts Trophy event this weekend)

MORE: Every darts player who's qualified for the 2027 PDC World Championship

Martin Schindler

It's been a very odd year for Martin Schindler. If he misses out on this event, it will be the first ranked major he doesn't qualify for since the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts.

Schindler has had a quiet year on the European Tour, after winning a combined three ET event titles between 2024 and 2025.

Those results have helped him get into the big events, but with a lack of quality performances on the Pro Tour, he's in danger of not qualifying for one of the biggest events of the year.

He currently sits £6,500 out of a Pro Tour OoM spot.

Mike De Decker

De Decker won this event just two years ago, and won't be returning to compete this year.

He's made the final day of action in just one ET event in 2026, and has started to not qualify for a few ET events for the first time since 2024.

The current world number 24 would gain no prize money and would have no chance of defending the £120,000 he won in 2024.

Because of that, his time in the top 32 could be nearing an end, at least for now.

Daryl Gurney

Add Gurney to the list of former WGP champions who will not qualify.

He won the event in 2017 and has been in every edition of the event since 2014.

He's set to lose £15,000 from two years ago. Gurney is not in the Flanders Darts Trophy this weekend, so he has no chance of a last-minute effort to qualify for the WGP.

Raymond van Barneveld

It's expected given his lack of recent results, but the former multi-time world champion won't be heading to play in the WGP this year.

2022 is the last time Barney failed to make it, and he hasn't won a game in the event since 2018.

The next few months will be key for him, as he looks to try and get back into a WC qualification spot.

Peter Wright

Wright is in a similar position to RVB, as he hasn't been in any solid form over a consistent period recently.

Wright has been in every edition of the WGP since 2013, and was the runner-up in 2018.

Michael Smith

Smith has had to take time off due to injuries, resulting in some erratic form when he does play.

It's taken its toll on his ranking, and that will result in him not qualifying for the WGP for a second straight year.

2010-2011 is the last time Smith failed to qualify for the event in consecutive years. He was a semifinalist in 2023.

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