Adam Paxton is in danger of losing his PDC Tour Card at the end of the season, but the Englishman has no intention of giving up his career at the highest level. After two difficult years on the professional circuit, Paxton has rediscovered his confidence and is already targeting another chance at Q-School. Speaking to Online Darts at the launch of Unicorn's new products for 2027, he discussed his struggles, the fierce competition on the ProTour and his dream of one day taking to the stage at Alexandra Palace.

At the event at Bradmore Farm, Paxton was visibly excited by the latest products from his sponsor, Unicorn, including a new automatic scoring system.

"Tell me about it! There are so many nice things over there. I'm struggling to spend time with them all," Paxton said. The new scoring system particularly impressed him.

"I needed one at home, so we're really glad Unicorn have brought one out. It looks fantastic, it looks really nice on the board, and the board looks great with the lights. All of it really works brilliantly."

Struggling with his throw

Paxton has had less reason to smile on the sporting front. The Englishman has endured a disappointing season and must seriously consider the possibility of losing his Tour Card. However, he now feels that things are moving in the right direction.

"It's up and down. I've been struggling a lot with my throw. Even early in the year, when I was picking up wins, I was saying that I didn't feel good. It didn't feel nice or right."

Things have since changed for the better. "Now, though, my throw feels nice and comfortable. So, even with wins and losses, it feels like I've got a chance to progress and fine-tune it a bit. That's positive."

Should Paxton lose his Tour Card, his next step is clear: he will return to Q-School and attempt to earn his place on the professional circuit again. "Yeah, 100%. I want the card back. That's what I say. I've been trying to work on my throw so that it feels nice, and now it does feel good again. I feel like I've got a chance to get back to the levels I was at before and pick up the results I was getting previously."

His ambitions also extend beyond the PDC ProTour. "I'm confident that, even if I don't win my card back, I'll do some serious damage elsewhere."

According to Paxton, his first spell as a Tour Card holder taught him a great deal. In particular, everything that happens away from the dartboard proved to be a bigger challenge than expected. "It's completely different; it's a completely different world. There's also the other side of it: the travel, the hotels, booking where people stay, working out what time to get to the venue, your practice, your routine. Everything is so different compared to the Challenge Tour, where you're walking in at nine o'clock and starting at quarter past ten."

He believes that experience would put him in a much stronger position if he earned his card back. "It's just so different, so I think another shot at it would be a very different experience."

Looking back on his first two years as a professional, however, disappointment remains the overriding feeling. "Not great. No, not great. I haven't played well, and I've had a lot of personal issues over the last year, so it's not been fantastic. I don't think I've shown everybody what I'm capable of, which I'm a bit disappointed about."

That is precisely why he is so motivated to return. "That's why I'm keen to have three months of focused practice now to try to get my card back."

New PDC rules offer hope

Paxton also discussed the changes announced by the PDC for 2027. While he acknowledges that some adjustments protect the leading players, he also sees new opportunities emerging.

"It protects the top, but it's there for a reason. I think there are a lot more opportunities, in terms of things like the European Open and the European Tour. I think it's good that they're travelling to different countries, such as France, so there are opportunities for everybody."

The expansion of the Players Championship Finals to a 128-player field particularly appeals to him, offering another route towards qualification for the televised tournament in Minehead.

"Exactly, yeah. That's a fantastic one. Even if I lose my card and get ProTour invites, it would be a lot easier for me to potentially qualify for Minehead at the end of the year."

Paxton had already set himself that target for this season.

"That was my goal for this year, although I don't think I'll reach it. Next year, whether I have a card or not, it's definitely a goal or an aim of mine to get to Minehead."

An even bigger dream is competing at the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Qualifying for the tournament could provide a memorable end to a difficult period on the ProTour.

"That would be the ultimate. That's my ultimate aim. Whenever it happens, just to play at Ally Pally would be absolutely incredible."

Paxton also stressed that the standard on the professional circuit is often underestimated. "Everyone can play. It's the standard, and it's all the other aspects that people don't understand. People don't realise how good those players are. As you say, I can hit a 95 average or a 100 average, but they're hitting 95 averages as well. It's hard to explain; it's just different. They're unbelievable."

Despite competing alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, Paxton still finds himself star-struck around his heroes. One player, in particular, continues to make an impression.

"I still do today! Gary Anderson is over there. He's my hero, and I'm still star-struck by him, really."

When asked whether Anderson was the player he admired most, Paxton did not hesitate. "Yeah," he replied.