The field of Amateur Qualifiers for the 2026 Ladbrokes UK Open has been confirmed, following the conclusion of the PDC in the Community Qualifiers and Rileys Amateur Qualifiers last weekend. The Ladbrokes UK Open will take place from March 6-8 at Butlin’s Minehead Resort, as the sport’s biggest names compete for the coveted title currently […]
The field of Amateur Qualifiers for the 2026 Ladbrokes UK Open has been confirmed, following the conclusion of the PDC in the Community Qualifiers and Rileys Amateur Qualifiers last weekend.
The Ladbrokes UK Open will take place from March 6-8 at Butlin’s Minehead Resort, as the sport’s biggest names compete for the coveted title currently occupied by world number one Luke Littler.
The 160-player field will feature all 128 Tour Card Holders, the top eight players from the Development Tour and Challenge Tour rankings, alongside a further 16 Amateur Qualifiers.
The final four Amateur Qualifiers were confirmed last weekend, with Aden Kirk sealing his UK Open return via the PDC in the Community Qualifier at the Somercotes Snooker Club in Alfreton.
Kirk produced one of the biggest upsets in UK Open history back in 2014, dumping out 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor on his way to reaching the last 16.
The Derbyshire-born star also overcame Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright during a breakthrough run, and he will make his third Minehead appearance in 2026.
The 33-year-old – also a winner on the Winmau Challenge Tour in 2024 – prevailed in the Somercotes Qualifier, averaging 92 to defeat Connor Bowler 6-3 in their winner-takes-all showdown.
Samuel Whittaker came out on top in the Enderby Community Qualifier, securing his televised debut with a 5-3 victory over Ryan Hawkes.
Whittaker, who competed at UK Qualifying School in January, also overcame former Lakeside runner-up Mark McGeeney in the semi-finals, running out a 5-3 winner.
Lewis Pearse and Jake Eichen completed the list of qualifiers, following their success in the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers in Harlow and London Victoria respectively.
Pearse edged out Joe Croft in a dramatic deciding-leg clash to triumph in the Harlow qualifier, surviving multiple match darts in booking his big stage debut.
Eichen, meanwhile, will also make his televised bow in Minehead, having emerged through a 142-player field in Sunday’s London Victoria Qualifier.
2026 PDC in the Community Qualifiers:
Flights Sports & Social Club, Fleetwood: Jack Todd
OutOut Bar, Newport: Clive Langford
The Syston Brookside Club, Syston: Kyle Gilding
Worthies Sports & Social Club, Kings Worthy: Callum Francis
Legends Darts Lounge, Plymouth: Simon Stevenson
Manton Sports Club, Worksop: Graham Usher
Enderby & District Social Club, Enderby: Samuel Whittaker
Somercotes Snooker Club, Alfreton: Aden Kirk
2026 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers:
Solihull: Neil Wild
Aberdeen: Sean Ryan
Coventry: Daniel Lee
Norwich: Oliver King
Chorlton: Callum Goffin
Liverpool: Ron Meulenkamp
Harlow: Lewis Pearse
London Victoria: Jake Eichen