Health Protocols:
All UK-based personnel will be required to provide proof of Covid-19 Pass via NHS App. Non-UK personnel are required to show this via the equivalent of the NHS Covid-19 Pass from their native country.
If any person attending is not fully vaccinated, a negative lateral flow test taken on the morning of attendance is required. Testing will be provided by the PDC at registration if needed.
Any player who tests positive within 10 days of the start of the event (providing they have already registered) or once the event has started shall not be permitted to play in the event but shall still be eligible to compete on the 2022 PDC Challenge Tour.
Any player who under current government guidelines is deemed as a close contact of a player who has tested positive after competing in the event may also be removed from the event without warning or recourse. Such players would also be entitled to compete on the 2022 PDC Challenge Tour. In these instances players will not be entitled to a refund of their Q School entry fee.
Face coverings must be worn when entering and moving around the venue. They can be removed by players when practicing or playing matches, and by all persons when seated.
First Stage
- Day 1 - Sunday January 9th
- Day 2 - Monday January 10th
- Day 3 - Tuesday January 11th
Final Stage
- Day 1 – Wednesday January 12th
- Day 2 - Thursday January 13th
- Day 3 – Friday January 14th
- Day 4 - Saturday January 15th
Daily Registration:
Players need to register daily with PDC officials upon arrival at the venue.
First Stage:
If you do not register by 10.00 you will not be included in the draw for that day.
- 08.30 - Doors Open
- 08.30 - 10.00 Registration
- 10.00 - Registration closes, and the draw is made
- Play commences 30 minutes after the draw is displayed in the venue.
Final Stage:
If you do not register by 11.00 you will not be included in the draw for that day.
- 09.00 - Doors Open
- 09.00 - 11.00 Registration
- 11.00 - Registration closes, and the draw is made
- 12.00 – Play commences
Guests:
Players are permitted to bring ONE guest each into the venue. Guests must register on arrival at the security desk in the foyer and adhere to the Covid-19 Protocols above.
DRA Registered Agents and Parent/Guardian of Under- 18’s are only required to register at the Security Desk in the foyer on the way into the venue.
Marking:
The PDC will be providing markers for this event, meaning that players will not be required to mark unless there are insufficient markers available to cover all boards, in which case the “loser marks” system shall operate and losing players will be obliged to mark (or provide someone suitable to mark in their place) or they may face Darts Regulation Authority sanction.
Format:
All games will be 501 format with straight start and double to finish. Matches are played under PDC and Darts Regulation Authority rules.
Stages, Point System and Tour Cards:
First Stage -
* First Stage will consist of three days of play, with each day's play featuring a random draw without seedings and games over the best of nine legs.
* The last eight players on each day of First Stage will qualify by right for Final Stage. All other players will receive one point per victory from the first full round drawn without byes, and an Order of Merit will be produced to provide further qualifiers for Final Stage, up to the total of 128 players.
Final Stage
-
* The UK Qualifying School Final Stage Qualifying School will feature 128 players, comprised as follows (split per venue as per geographical eligibility): - PDC Tour Card Holders from 2021 who lost their Tour Card for 2022; - Players who finished in the Top 8 of the 2021 PDC UK and European Challenge Tour Orders of Merit;
- Players who finished in the Top 8 of the 2021 PDC UK and European Development Tour Orders of Merit;
- Qualifiers from the First Stage of Qualifying School (however many are needed to make up 128 after the above three criteria have been fulfilled).
* Final Stage will consist of four days of play, with each day's play featuring a random draw without seedings and games over the best of 11 legs.
* As each Final Stage has 128 players, the winner on each day at the UK Qualifying School will receive a PDC Tour Card.
* Additional Tour Cards at each event will then be on offer for players from the Final Stage Order of Merit.
* All players will receive one point per victory from the Last 64 onwards on each day of Final Stage to form the Final Stage Order of Merit.
* The split of additional Tour Cards across both Qualifying Schools will be allocated pro-rata based on the final number of players who participate in First Stage at each Qualifying School plus the players exempt to Final Stage, and will be confirmed ahead of the commencement of Final Stage.
* For both the First Stage and Final Stage Orders of Merit, players level on Points Won shall be split by Leg Difference, then Legs Won, then Overall Average (based on DartConnect scoring) and then a Play-Off if necessary. Results in all matches are included in this countback.
* Wins by virtue of a walkover in any round where Points are allocated shall be counted as a 6-0 win. If a player withdraws midway through a match their opponent shall be awarded the win by 6 legs to however many legs the withdrawing player had won at the time of withdrawal.
* Players who do not win a PDC Tour Card but compete in at least the first day of their allocated Qualifying School dates will become PDPA Associate Members and be eligible to compete on the PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour in 2022.
There is no official hotel for this event, players and guests are allowed to choose their own hotel and follow any relevant health protocols.
Note for all players:
Players are advised not to make non-refundable or non-changeable travel or accommodation bookings. Players are not currently required to reside in the adjoining DoubleTree-by-Hilton Hotel.
Other Hotels in MK:
- For any of the Premier Inns in MK follow this link CLICK HERE
- For any other hotels via booking.com CLICK HERE
Travel to the MILTON KEYNES:
Venue:
Marshall Arena, ArenaMK, Stadium Way West, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK1 1ST
Website:
Train Station:
The main MK Station is a short taxi ride away (6-7 Mins)
Driving:
There are plenty of parking spaces at the hotel/venue, for directions click here > Directions and add your starting point.
Getting to Milton Keynes
The easiest way to reach MK by road is via the M1. If you are coming from the North get off at Junction 14, or from the South, Junction 13. If using the A5 exit at Redmoor Roundabout and follow the signs for Stadium MK. If travelling by train the three closest stations are Milton Keynes Central, Bletchley, and Fenny Stratford.
Getting to Stadium MK
The stadium is 7 minutes from Junction 13 of the M1, and 10 minutes from Junction 14. Follow the brown road signs for Stadium MK when using the A5 or A421 (H8 Standing Way). Milton Keynes is built on a grid system of H Roads (horizontal) and V roads (vertical), we are between V6 Grafton Street and V7 Saxon Street.
Parking
There are 1,450 parking spaces around Stadium MK, so there are plenty to choose from. Parking at Stadium MK varies on matchdays and for large events, where traffic management will be in operation and charges may apply.
Milton Keynes is the centre point between London, Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge. We’re just 35 minutes by train from Central London, and well-served by London Luton airport, just over half an hour's drive away.
