The WDF is adding a new element to its youth programme: the 2026 IDSL finals will be held at the Lakeside Country Club during the week of the WDF World Championship. The announcement is fresh, official, and, above all, significant for what it reveals about the direction the federation is taking: placing young people in the same setting as the major events.
The International Darts School League, founded by Devon Petersen, brings together pupils aged 9 to 18 in a school circuit designed as a stepping stone to competitive darts. This time, the project is taking on a whole new dimension: 64 players are expected on Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December 2026, with the tournament finale taking place right on the Lakeside stage.
A real boost for youth development
On paper, this is not yet a major senior tournament. But for us, the interesting news lies elsewhere: the WDF is not merely talking about development; it is placing a school event within the most symbolic setting on its calendar. This is the sort of decision that can lend weight to a youth programme, especially when it is based at a venue as iconic as Lakeside.
The announced format is simple. The Last 64, Last 32 and Last 16 rounds will be played on the main floor. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will then move to the main stage during a session on Tuesday afternoon. In other words: the young players aren’t just coming to compete in a side tournament; they’ll be given proper exposure in the main hall.
| Competition | IDSL 2026 Finals |
| Organisation | WDF and International Darts School League |
| Venue | Lakeside Country Club |
| Dates | 30 November and 1 December 2026 |
| Field | 64 players aged 9 to 18 |
Devon Petersen aims to establish an educational pathway
In the official press release, Devon Petersen presents this move to Lakeside as a milestone for young players. His vision is clear: to use the IDSL to provide young players with a transparent, international framework capable of supporting them as they make the transition to the senior circuits.
The WDF is on the same page. Its youth commissioner, Dietmar Schuhmann, points out that the federation had already supported the IDSL through qualifiers organised at ranking tournaments. The addition of finals at Lakeside therefore builds on an existing collaboration, rather than coming out of the blue.
Lakeside is also becoming a showcase for development
This announcement comes a few days after another significant piece of WDF news: the race for places at Lakeside 2026. The picture is therefore consistent. On the one hand, the WDF is building its global stage. On the other, it is adding a youth tier that can make the week more complete for spectators and more beneficial for developing players.
We must remain realistic: the IDSL alone will not transform the world rankings. But putting young people aged 9 to 18 on this stage, during a week already watched by WDF enthusiasts, gives tangible visibility to players who would otherwise have remained off the radar.
What to watch out for next
The next qualifiers for these finals are due to be announced in August, during the WDF International Youth Challenge weekends in Denmark and Germany. That’s when the news will take on a more sporting dimension: the names of those who have qualified, the countries represented, the actual standard of the field, and the first players to watch.
For the time being, the focus is mainly institutional. The WDF and the IDSL are building a bridge between schools, competition and the big stage. For a discipline that is always seeking to broaden its base, this is no small matter.
Source: official WDF press release.
