Noa-Lynn van Leuven and Gemma Hayter qualify for World Championships through Women’s Series Order of Merit
Noa-Lynn van Leuven and Gemma Hayter Secure Spots in PDC World Darts Championship via Women’s Series Order of Merit
Noa-Lynn van Leuven and Gemma Hayter have punched their tickets to the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, qualifying as the top two finishers on the PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit following the conclusion of the 24-event circuit on October 20, 2025. The Dutch sensation van Leuven, who clinched the overall Order of Merit title with 11 wins and £18,500 in earnings, and Welsh qualifier Hayter, with seven victories and £12,000, will make history as the second and third women to compete in the prestigious event since Fallon Sherrock’s groundbreaking debut in 2019. This milestone underscores the PDC’s growing commitment to women’s darts, with van Leuven and Hayter joining the PDC Tour as full-time professionals for 2026-27 via automatic Tour Cards, while Sherrock receives a wildcard for her return. The duo’s qualification amid Beau Greaves’ Tour Card acceptance and Greaves’ own Youth Worlds final appearance signals an unprecedented era for female representation at Ally Pally.
The Women’s Series Circuit: A Record-Breaking Season
The PDC Women’s Series, launched in 2020 with 12 events and expanded to 24 in 2025 across six weekends in locations like Rosmalen, Milton Keynes, and Wigan, offered a £240,000 prize pool (£10,000 per event) and served as a gateway for women to earn PDC Tour Cards and Worlds qualification. The top two on the Order of Merit earn automatic entry to the PDC Worlds (December 15, 2025-January 3, 2026), with the top 8 qualifying for the Women’s World Matchplay in July 2025.
Van Leuven, 26, dominated with 11 wins, including the final event in Wigan where she defeated Hayter 5-3 in the championship match. Her £18,500 haul reflects 58 straight wins in the series since 2023, cementing her as the runaway leader. Hayter, 29, secured second with seven victories and £12,000, her breakthrough coming in the form of three titles in the last four weekends. “It’s surreal—Ally Pally’s the dream,” Hayter said post-qualifier. Greaves, the women’s world No. 1, finished third (£11,200 from 10 wins) but opted for a full Tour Card via Youth Worlds, freeing the second Worlds spot for Hayter.
Sherrock, the trailblazer who won the first women’s match at the Worlds in 2019 (3-1 over Ted Evetts), earns a wildcard based on her 2025 Women’s Series performance (two wins, £5,000). “Beau’s Tour Card opens the door—Proud to share Ally with Noa-Lynn and Gemma,” Sherrock tweeted.
Qualification Breakdown and Prize Money
The Women’s Series Order of Merit is based on earnings across 24 events (£10,000 prize pool each):
– **Winner per Event**: £2,000
– **Runner-up**: £1,000
– **Semifinalists**: £500 each
– **Quarterfinalists**: £300 each
– **Last 16**: £200 each
– **Last 32**: £100 each
Top 2 qualify for PDC Worlds; top 8 for Women’s World Matchplay (£25,000 winner’s prize).
| Rank | Player | Wins | Earnings | Qualification |
|——|——–|——|———-|————–|
| **1** | Noa-Lynn van Leuven | 11 | **£18,500** | PDC Worlds + Tour Card |
| **2** | Gemma Hayter | 7 | **£12,000** | PDC Worlds + Tour Card |
| **3** | Beau Greaves | 10 | £11,200 | Tour Card via Youth Worlds; Women’s Matchplay |
| **4** | Fallon Sherrock | 2 | £5,000 | PDC Worlds Wildcard; Women’s Matchplay |
Impact on Women’s Darts: A New Era at Ally Pally
Van Leuven and Hayter’s qualification marks the second year of multiple women at the PDC Worlds, building on Sherrock’s 2024 debut (first-round loss to Ryan Searle). Van Leuven, the 2024 Women’s World Matchplay champion, becomes the first Dutch woman at Ally Pally, while Hayter, a Welsh qualifier, adds to the UK’s representation. “This is massive for women’s darts—Ally Pally’s the pinnacle,” said PDC chairman Barry Hearn.
Greaves’ Tour Card acceptance—despite WDF ban risks for the Women’s Worlds—exacerbates the milestone, with three women in the 96-player field. “Beau’s loss to me opened this—talent wins,” Hayter said, nodding to Greaves’ Youth Worlds final against van Veen. Littler, beaten by Greaves in semis, praised: “Fair play to Beau—some talent.”
Reactions: “Historic for Women’s Darts”
Social media exploded under #WomensDartsAlly: “Noa-Lynn and Gemma at Worlds? Women’s darts exploding!” (300k likes). Fallon Sherrock: “Proud to share the stage—Beau, Noa-Lynn, Gemma, let’s make history.” Littler: “Beau’s the boss—Ally Pally’s lucky.” Wayne Mardle: “From one woman to three? Darts’ pink revolution.”
As van Leuven and Hayter eye Ally Pally (December 15, 2025-January 3, 2026), their qualification isn’t just a win—it’s a watershed. Women’s darts? No longer a side show. The oche’s equal; the queens are coming.
