THE 2006 Budweiser UK Open will again feature eight Regional Finals on the road to Bolton's Reebok Stadium.
This year's event began on Sunday with the Welsh Regional Final, which was won by Mark Walsh in a repeat of the 2005 Budweiser UK Open final, which he lost to Phil Taylor.
Two further Regional Finals will be played before Christmas, in Ireland and Scotland, before the remaining five take place in the New Year.
In a change to the format of the televised finals, the leading 96 players (plus ties) in the UK Open Order of Merit will win places at the Reebok Stadium.
They will again be joined by 32 players from the Greene King Qualifiers, which will take place in the New Year.
Budweiser UK Open Regional Finals
2005
Newport Centre, Wales - September 25
Citywest Hotel, Ireland - October 23
Magnum Centre, Scotland - November 6
2006
North-East - January 7-8
South-West - February 11-12
South - March 4-5
North-West - March 18-19
Midlands - April 8-9
Budweiser UK Open Finals - June 9-11, Reebok Stadium
Any darts player can enter either the Regional Finals or the Greene King Qualifiers, but players cannot enter both events. Players who enter via the Regional Finals and finish in the top 96 in the Order or Merit must have played in at least three Regional Finals in order to qualify for the finals.