In a nail-biting conclusion to the PDC Europe Next Gen series, Dragutin Horvat snatched the final coveted spot for the PDC Europe Super League 2026, defeating Jaimy van de Weerd 6-5 in a dramatic final. Horvat’s last-minute decision to compete paid off spectacularly, while Kevin Jußen now anxiously awaits a potential lifeline to join the elite ranks. This thrilling finale cemented the 20 players who will battle it out in the upcoming Super League season.
Horvat’s Incredible Last-Minute Triumph
The final day of the PDC Europe Next Gen delivered pure drama as the last Super League spot hung in the balance until the very last leg. Against all odds, Dragutin Horvat, nicknamed “Braco,” stormed through to the final on the last possible day. His journey was nothing short of miraculous: he initially hadn’t planned to play the final weekend but had a change of heart earlier in the week, deciding to make one last push for Super League qualification. This decision proved to be pivotal.
Horvat’s path was fraught with challenges. In his very first knockout round, he found himself 1-3 down against Alexander Presser. However, a stunning display of precision, hitting 15, 14, and 14-dart legs, saw him clinch the victory and embark on a sensational run to the final. He decisively beat Franz Rötzsch (4-0), followed by impressive wins against Austrian players Ralf Steininger (5-2) and Patrick Reisenegger (5-3) in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
The Decisive Final Against Jaimy van de Weerd
Horvat’s victory in the semi-final propelled him to 17th place in the rankings, a position that theoretically could lead to Super League participation. However, a win against the dominant Next Gen player, Jaimy van de Weerd, would solidify his qualification. And that’s exactly what the man from Kassel achieved with a thrilling 6-5 victory. Horvat was the stronger player throughout the final and, holding the last dart in the deciding leg against a weaker throw from van de Weerd, he held his nerve to secure his place.
A Season of Near Misses and New Hopes
While Horvat celebrated, the final had different implications for others.
Jaimy van de Weerd: A Stellar Season, No Grand Finale
Despite the loss, Dutchman Jaimy van de Weerd can take immense pride in his Next Gen season. Reaching his 8th final in 16 events, he delivered arguably his best performance in the series to date. Although he narrowly missed his personal goal of accumulating €10,000 in total prize money for the season, his consistent top-level play was undeniable.
Kevin Jußen: The Agonizing Wait
For Kevin Jußen, the final day brought double misfortune. Having consistently defended his spot in the Top 16 over recent weeks, Horvat’s late surge pushed him out. The sting was particularly sharp as Jußen had reached the Last 16 with a strong performance and was leading 3-1 against Tim Weber. An additional €100 for reaching the quarter-finals would have seen him overtake Carsten Hoffmann. Crucially, he missed at least two match darts and ultimately surrendered his lead. Despite this heartbreak, there’s still a glimmer of hope: Jußen could still qualify for the Super League if Daniel Klose secures a World Championship spot via the Challenge Tour, which would free up Klose’s Super League place.
René Eidams and Other Notable Qualifiers
René Eidams, initially confident in his ranking, made a last-minute decision to play and secured his spot with a Last 16 finish. Meanwhile, the PDC Europe Super League 2026 will feature at least two Austrian players for the first time: Patrick Reisenegger and Patrick Tringler. Rowby-John Rodriguez, despite a strong performance in the Last 16, ultimately missed out.
Unfortunately, Switzerland will not have any representatives in the Super League for now, as Marcel Walpen did not participate in the final event.
Juniors Make Their Mark
The dramatic events also impacted the junior rankings. Kimi Seemann, after exiting in the second knockout round, slipped to 18th in the main ranking, securing his Super League place as a junior player. Had he not, another junior spot would have opened up. This would have gone to Finn Prokop, who was unfortunately overtaken by Kilian Hohnstedt on the final day, with Hohnstedt’s run to the quarter-finals earning him a ticket.
The PDC Europe Super League 2026 Lineup
With the conclusion of the season, the 20 players who qualified for the PDC Europe Super League 2026 through the PDC Europe Next Gen series are confirmed:
- Jaimy van de Weerd
- Daniel Klose
- Paul Krohne
- Patrick Reisenegger
- Mika Donnevert
- Liam Maendl-Lawrance
- Lenny Schlüter
- Jan Schmidt
- Dragutin Horvat
- Marcel Hausotter
- Patrick Tringler
- Florian Preis
- Tim Scholz
- Finn Behrens
- René Eidams
- Carsten Hoffmann
- Kimi Seemann
- Deniz Baudis
- Luca Wolff
- Kilian Hohnstedt
Four additional players will qualify for the Super League through the PDC Europe Start series, completing the full roster for the prestigious competition.
Understanding the PDC Europe Next Gen Series
The PDC Europe Next Gen series serves as a crucial development tour, offering aspiring dart players a pathway to the elite PDC Europe Super League. It’s designed to identify and nurture the next generation of talent in European darts.
Tournament Format and Rewards
The Next Gen events often feature an “FA Cup” style knockout format, emphasizing direct competition. Matches vary in length:
- Knockout Phase (up to Quarter-Finals): Best of 7 Legs
- Quarter-Finals & Semi-Finals: Best of 9 Legs
- Final: Best of 11 Legs
The series also rewards excellence with significant prize money and bonuses:
- Winner: €1,500
- Runner-Up: €750
- Semi-Finals: €400
- Quarter-Finals: €250
- Last 16: €150
- Last 32: €100
- Last 64: €50
In addition to prize money, players can earn bonuses for high-scoring legs and checkouts:
- 9-Darter: €99
- 10-Darter: €8
- 11-Darter: €5
- 12-Darter: €3
- 13-15 Darter: €1
- High Checkouts (161-170): €3
- High Checkouts (131-160): €2
- High Checkouts (101-130): €1
- Scores (171, 174, 177, 180): €1
This comprehensive prize structure ensures that every dart thrown counts, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
