As the penultimate weekend of the 2025 PDC Winmau Challenge Tour looms, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a substantial £360,000 prize pool spread across 24 events over five intense weekends, each tournament represents a pivotal opportunity for players vying for coveted Tour Cards and a shot at the sport’s most prestigious stages.
The Challenge Tour serves as a crucial stepping stone for aspiring professionals, and the rewards for success are significant. The top two players in the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, who haven’t already qualified through other means, will earn a coveted two-year Tour Card for 2026–27. This provides full access to the Pro Tour, along with automatic qualification for the 2026 PDC World Championship. Furthermore, the highest-ranked player secures a place at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts. The top 16 players also receive free entry into the Final Stage of Q-School, saving them considerable entry fees, while the top eight non-Tour Card holders for 2026 gain direct entry into the first round of the 2026 UK Open. It’s also important to note that the top three players on the Challenge Tour rankings are invited to compete in the World Championship.
The Current Standings
After 15 events, the Challenge Tour Order of Merit provides a clear indication of the leading contenders:
- Darius Labanauskas: Currently leads the pack with £8,700 in prize money.
- Stefan Bellmont: Close behind with £8,150, presenting a tight battle at the top.
- Ted Evetts: Occupies third place with £6,750.
- Mervyn King: A close fourth with £6,650.
- Beau Greaves: Holds fifth position with £5,875.
While Labanauskas and Bellmont appear to be in prime position for Tour Cards and World Championship spots, Evetts and King are well within striking distance, and Greaves remains a potential contender for a top-three finish.
Labanauskas has built his lead through consistent performances and steady earnings, demonstrating the resilience required for success in these long campaigns. Bellmont has matched him closely, proving his ability to compete with seasoned Tour players and close out events under pressure. Evetts and King, both experienced players with stage experience, are particularly dangerous at this stage of the season, knowing precisely what’s at stake and how to perform when it matters most. Greaves has already made history as the first woman to win multiple Challenge Tour events, claiming her second title earlier this year. Her performances have shown both composure and impressive scoring, and a strong run could propel her into World Championship contention.
More Than Just Prize Money
With only two weekends and a handful of events remaining, players are competing for more than just cash prizes. The long-term security of Tour Cards, the prestige of a World Championship appearance, the profile boost of a Grand Slam invitation, and the practical advantages of Q-School exemption or UK Open entry are all on the line. Every leg won, every match secured, and every pound earned could be the difference between a guaranteed professional future and another season spent chasing opportunities from the outside.
The Broader Impact
The Challenge Tour plays a vital role within the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) structure, providing a proving ground for players who narrowly miss out on Tour Cards at Q-School. It offers a chance to refine competitive skills in a professional environment while still providing significant rewards for success. It serves as a bridge between amateur and professional darts, and for those at the top, it’s often the final step before a full-time career on the circuit.
The Challenge Tour also has a broader impact on the PDC landscape. While its immediate effect is on the second-tier players, the movement of top performers into the Pro Tour influences the competitive balance of both tours.
The Final Push
Securing a Tour Card is a significant milestone in any dart player’s career. It provides access to televised majors, larger prize pools, and sponsorship opportunities, along with the chance to build ranking points year after year without the constant need to re-qualify. For those in the top three of the Challenge Tour, a World Championship appearance offers a unique opportunity for global exposure, experience under pressure, and the chance to compete against the very best in the sport.
Currently, Labanauskas and Bellmont are in the lead, their consistent form keeping them ahead of the chasing pack. However, the margins are slim, and a single poor weekend or an inspired performance from their rivals could dramatically alter the standings. Evetts and King are well-positioned to capitalise on any slip-ups, and Greaves, with her history-making form, could still produce one of the season’s most memorable stories. There’s also the possibility of a late surge from players further down the rankings, potentially disrupting the entire race.
The tension and drama of these final two weekends make the Challenge Tour an exciting spectacle. For the players, it’s the culmination of months of travel, practice, and pressure. For the fans, it’s a chance to witness careers potentially change in real-time, as darting dreams either come into focus or slip away. The stakes are high, and over the next two weekends, Tour Cards, Championship spots, and Grand Slam places will be decided leg by leg, dart by dart.
Challenge Tour Order of Merit – Top 81
| Rank | Name | Prize Money (£) |
|——|———————|——————|
| 1 | Darius Labanauskas | 8,700 |
| 2 | Stefan Bellmont | 8,150 |
| 3 | Ted Evetts | 6,750 |
| 4 | Mervyn King | 6,650 |
| 5 | Beau Greaves | 5,875 |
| 6 | Jack Tweddell | 4,400 |
| 7 | Carl Sneyd | 4,250 |
| 8 | Danny van Trijp | 4,150 |
| 9 | Graham Hall | 3,825 |
| 10 | Jamai van den Herik | 3,650 |
| 11 | Scott Campbell | 3,125 |
| 12 | Kevin Burness | 3,000 |
| 13 | Keegan Brown | 2,800 |
| 14 | Dragutin Horvat | 2,650 |
| 15 | Alexander Merkx | 2,625 |
| 16 | Michael Unterbuchner | 2,525 |
| 17 | Andreas Harrysson | 2,400 |
| 18 | Sam Spivey | 2,375 |
| 19 | Adam Mould | 2,300 |
| 20 | Tommy Lishman | 2,225 |
| 21 | Nathan Girvan | 2,200 |
| 22 | Graham Usher | 2,200 |
| 23 | Tom Sykes | 2,150 |
| 24 | Henry Coates | 2,100 |
| 25 | Colin Osborne | 2,050 |
| 26 | Michael Flynn | 1,975 |
| 27 | John Henderson | 1,950 |
| 28 | Ron Meulenkamp | 1,900 |
| 29 | Jurjen van der Velde | 1,900 |
| 30 | Aden Kirk | 1,850 |
| 31 | Trevor Burkhill | 1,825 |
| 32 | Shane McGuirk | 1,775 |
| 33 | Dan Hands | 1,775 |
| 34 | Jimmy van Schie | 1,750 |
| 35 | Jeffrey Sparidaans | 1,700 |
| 36 | Martin Grearson | 1,650 |
| 37 | Sietse Lap | 1,625 |
| 38 | Scott Waites | 1,625 |
| 39 | Danny Jansen | 1,625 |
| 40 | Charlie Martin | 1,475 |
| 41 | David Pallett | 1,475 |
| 42 | Christopher Wickenden| 1,475 |
| 43 | Arno Merk | 1,450 |
| 44 | Paul Rowley | 1,450 |
| 45 | Jarno Bottenberg | 1,425 |
| 46 | Shaun Carroll | 1,400 |
| 47 | Andy Hamilton | 1,400 |
| 48 | Martin Thomas | 1,375 |
| 49 | David Sharp | 1,375 |
| 50 | Jeffrey De Zwaan | 1,375 |
| 51 | Ryan O’Connor | 1,350 |
| 52 | John O’Shea | 1,300 |
| 53 | Tommy Morris | 1,300 |
| 54 | Carl Wilson | 1,250 |
| 55 | Christian Perez | 1,225 |
| 56 | Owen Maiden | 1,225 |
| 57 | Jacques Labre | 1,200 |
| 58 | Keenan Thomas | 1,175 |
| 59 | Joe Hunt | 1,175 |
| 60 | Callum Goffin | 1,175 |
| 61 | Gilbert van der Meijden| 1,175 |
| 62 | Jamie Atkins | 1,150 |
| 63 | Peter Burgoyne | 1,150 |
| 64 | Jenson Walker | 1,125 |
| 65 | Damian Mol | 1,100 |
| 66 | Simon Whitlock | 1,075 |
| 67 | Luke Smith | 1,050 |
| 68 | Chas Barstow | 1,050 |
| 69 | Daniel Klose | 1,025 |
| 70 | Steve West | 950 |
| 71 | David Davies | 950 |
| 72 | Marcel Walpen | 925 |
| 73 | Rowby-John Rodriguez | 925 |
| 74 | Jamie Hughes | 900 |
| 75 | Ciaran Teehan | 900 |
| 76 | Scott Baker | 875 |
| 77 | Dylan Dowling | 875 |
| 78 | Tom Lonsdale | 850 |
| 79 | Bruno Stoeckli | 850 |
| 80 | Shane Turner | 850 |
| 81 | Deian Roberts | 825 |