Dave Chisnall clinches last World Matchplay spot under pressure

**Dave Chisnall** booked the final World Matchplay place on 27 Jun 2026 after a dramatic finish at the Leicester Players Championship double‑header, beating Greg Ritchie 6‑5 to claim the Blackpool slot.

Chisnall entered the two‑day Leicester event needing roughly £8 000 in prize money to stay in contention. He fell short, earning £7 750, but that was enough to snatch the last qualification spot. While Daryl Gurney lost 6‑5 to Madars Razma, Chisnall trailed 0‑4 against Greg Ritchie before clawing back to win the deciding legs.

The Englishman described the day as “one of the most pressure‑filled” he’s felt on the oche in recent memory. After a 4‑0 lead he missed nine darts at doubles, some on the wire, allowing Ritchie to level at 4‑4. Chisnall admitted the swing felt like a personal test, saying he had to “wake up” and refocus to take the final two legs.

Six weeks earlier Chisnall calculated he needed about £20 000 to recover from a poor start to the season. He reset his target to £8 000 for the Leicester events, hoping the prize money would keep his World Matchplay dream alive. Though he missed the £8 000 mark, the £7 750 haul still secured the coveted Blackpool invitation.

Qualifying for the World Matchplay is a personal milestone for Chisnall, who noted that many top earners may not view it as a major achievement. He praised the depth of today’s professional darts, emphasizing that even first‑round Euro Tour qualifiers are fiercely competitive. The run also followed a semi‑final appearance the previous day, where he fell to Cameron Menzies, adding confidence to his form heading into Blackpool.

The decisive match saw Daryl Gurney lose to Madars Razma 6‑5, which opened the door for Chisnall. Greg Ritchie, Chisnall’s opponent in the final leg, pushed the Englishman to his limits before the comeback. Both opponents played pivotal roles in shaping the qualification drama.

With the World Matchplay slot secured, Chisnall will turn his focus to preparation for the Blackpool tournament. He plans to build on the mental resilience displayed in Leicester, aiming to translate the hard‑earned confidence into deeper runs at the major event.

In his Kwiff column, Chisnall wrote that the day’s pressure stemmed entirely from his own expectations. He praised his own perseverance, saying the qualification gave him “a bit of a pat on the back” in a season where financial targets have loomed large.

Chisnall’s story highlights the razor‑thin margins separating qualification and elimination. With prize money and ranking points tightly contested, even seasoned players must navigate high‑stakes matches to stay in the elite field.

Dave Chisnall’s last‑minute triumph in Leicester underscores how a single day can reshape a player’s trajectory, turning a season of uncertainty into a fresh opportunity at the World Matchplay.