Patrick Bulen, a veteran Belgian darts player, has reportedly been suspended from the 2025-2026 PDC tour following a heated incident at the PDC Kalkar Qualifying School in Germany. The 55-year-old had been competing in the European Q-School, where players are vying for a coveted PDC tour card to secure their place on the professional circuit.
Bulen, who previously competed in the 2006 World Championship, had made a strong start to the tournament and was expected to qualify for the final phase after impressive early performances. However, after a 6-4 loss to Dmitriy Zhukov, Bulen’s frustrations seemed to boil over, leading to what has been described as a wild outburst.
According to reports from Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, Bulen misbehaved following his defeat, which effectively ended his hopes of progressing in the tournament. Having initially led the match 4-3, Bulen watched as Zhukov turned the tide and eventually secured the win in the deciding leg. This loss, which left Bulen out of the running for a tour card, reportedly led to a series of dramatic actions.
It is alleged that Bulen responded by using an obscene gesture, and in a further outburst, he reportedly called the PDC “a cancer.” The incident escalated when he allegedly began kicking chairs around the room, creating an atmosphere of tension. As a result of his behavior, Bulen has been suspended from further participation in the event, and his hopes of securing a place on the 2025-2026 PDC tour have been dashed.
Bulen has yet to issue a public statement regarding the incident, and he has been removed from the official order of play for the remainder of the tournament. Despite his suspension, the European Q-School will continue as scheduled, with players still battling for a chance to earn a spot on the prestigious PDC tour.
On the first day of the final stage, Viktor Tingstrom secured the first tour card of the year, followed by German star Kai Gotthardt, who earned the second card on Friday. As the final day of the European Q-School approaches, notable names such as Jeffrey De Zwaan, Max Hopp, and Boris Krcmar will compete for their opportunity to return to the PDC tour.
Meanwhile, the UK Q-School event has seen Tom Bissell earn a tour card, marking the start of his journey on the professional circuit. The final day of the UK event will feature heavy hitters such as Fallon Sherrock, Simon Whitlock, and Beau Greaves, all hoping to secure their place on the tour.
Bulen’s suspension serves as a reminder of the high emotional stakes in competitive darts, with players often facing intense pressure as they battle for their futures on the tour.
