Fred Krueger and Brayden Hall have qualified for the 2026 World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. The North American pair secured coveted places at the World Championship during last weekend’s conclusion to the Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) Tour. The American and the Canadian will both make their debuts on the world’s biggest darts stage in December.

The CDC Tour’s final three events took place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. Leonard Gates, Jeff Smith and Joey Lynaugh shared the three daily titles, but the biggest prizes ultimately went to Krueger and Hall. They finished as the highest-ranked American and Canadian who had yet to qualify for the World Darts Championship.

Krueger, in particular, can look back on an outstanding debut season on the North American circuit. The American won three of the 16 CDC Tour events this season and finished second in the final standings. Only Adam Sevada scored more points, but he had already secured his World Championship place in June by winning the North American Championship.

Krueger underlined his good form at the season’s 14th event. He reached Saturday’s final, where he faced Leonard Gates. A deciding leg was needed to settle a thrilling contest. Gates came out on top, but the defeat did little to dampen Krueger’s celebrations. His performances throughout the season had already earned him a debut appearance at a major PDC televised event.

Hall holds off Jeff Smith in the race for a World Championship place

Brayden Hall also had a weekend to remember. The 23-year-old Canadian finished ninth in the CDC rankings, making him the highest-ranked Canadian player who had yet to qualify for the World Championship.

Hall had already made an impression earlier in the year by winning the sixth CDC Tour event. However, he had to wait until the final weekend for his qualification to be confirmed. Former Lakeside finalist Jeff Smith, in particular, made life difficult for him in the closing stages of the season.

Smith produced an impressive run at the 15th event and claimed his first CDC Tour title of 2026. The 50-year-old Canadian had to play a deciding leg four times on his way to the final. Jeremiah Millar, Ben Creger, Albert Anstey and Kevin Luke were each beaten by the narrowest of margins.

Smith had far fewer problems in the final. He swept aside Ram Guevara Jr. 7-1, further cutting Hall’s lead in the race for the Canadian World Championship place.

The decision came at the year’s 16th and final event. Hall was knocked out early, leaving Smith and Kiley Edmunds with a chance to overtake him in the rankings. Neither could make the most of the opportunity. Hall therefore remained the highest-ranked Canadian yet to qualify and could celebrate his place at the World Darts Championship.

CDC Tour Events 14–16 results

Event 14

Event 15

Event 16