UK Open darts heat in Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton's regional qualifier for 'the FA Cup of Darts' will be held in May at the city's Rileys Bar to decide their entrant for the UK Open.

The first televised single elimination tournament on the PDC Calendar will be held in Bolton from June 7 to June 10, live on Sky Sports.

The 128-player field is made up of the top 96 in the UK Open Order of Merit, played between the professionals, and 32 from Rileys clubs.

The qualifier from Wolverhampton will be settled at the bar on Broad Street on Saturday May 12, with the closing date coming up on Friday April 13.

Last year's tournament, won by James Wade, saw Rileys qualifiers scoop £18,000 of the £200,000 prize find, with four now turning pro with the PDC.

Richie Howson, John Bowles, Joe Murnan and Andrew Goulding went on to pick up their 'licence' - a PDC Pro Tour card - at Q School in January.

It's the third year in a row Rileys have provided players for the UK Open with Dean Stewart, Nick Bache and Steve Clews from Wolverhampton.

There were 64 in the first year alone and players can enter as many events as they wish, provided they are 14-years-old or over.

It costs just £6 to enter per event and can be done through the Rileys website at www.rileys.co.uk/tournaments or at the club itself.