Stephen Bunting took one of ten remaining places in the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts at the PDC's Tour Card Holder Qualifier in Leicester on 6 November.
Bunting comes through the Leicester qualifier
The PDC's 6 November report says 91 players contested ten places at Mattioli Arena. Bunting was the highest-ranked player to qualify, having recorded three averages above 100 in wins over Arno Merk, Callan Rydz and Jimmy van Schie, according to the same report. The account names Joe Cullen and Niko Springer among the other players who came through.
The PDC's 6 November results list gives Bunting a 5–2 win over van Schie in the decisive round. Bunting had reached that match after wins over Merk and Rydz. The official report also lists Danny Noppert and Damon Heta among players eliminated in the opening round.
Entry list and final field
SportsRivo compared the PDC's entry notice with its completed result report. The notice, published 5 November by PDC, identified Bunting as the highest-ranked entrant and Noppert as another player seeking a Grand Slam return. In the result report, Bunting is the highest-ranked player to advance, while Noppert is listed among opening-round exits.
The PDC says the final Grand Slam field contains 48 players. Its current calendar places the event at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton, starting 14 November and ending 22 November. Those dates belong to the main tournament; the Leicester qualifier has already finished.
What qualification changes
- Bunting joins the Grand Slam field after his deciding-round win over van Schie, the PDC confirms.
- Noppert and Heta missed qualification through the Leicester event after opening-round exits, PDC reports.
- The PDC's calendar gives Bunting a confirmed Wolverhampton tournament beginning on 14 November.
Draw and Wolverhampton start
The PDC planned its Grand Slam draw for 9 November and said it would publish it through its social channels. Its calendar schedules play in Wolverhampton from 14 November until 22 November.
Source: PDC