The 12th Austrian Darts Open is set to electrify Stadthalle Graz, but not without a significant twist: a host of darting giants, including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price, have unexpectedly withdrawn. This unprecedented shake-up guarantees a wide-open field and an incredible opportunity for a new champion to emerge. Gian van Veen takes the top seed, while five-time winner Michael van Gerwen and defending champion Martin Schindler look to reclaim glory amidst a tournament ripe for upsets and thrilling encounters.
A Tournament Shaken: Top Stars Withdraw
The upcoming Austrian Darts Open, marking its twelfth staging and the first time at the Stadthalle Graz, has seen a dramatic shift in its lineup. Several high-profile players opted not to compete, leaving a significant void in the tournament draw. The list of absent stars includes:
- Luke Littler
- Luke Humphries
- Stephen Bunting
- Gerwyn Price
- Gary Anderson
- Nathan Aspinall
- Jonny Clayton (who withdrew, replaced by Madars Razma)
This mass withdrawal has had a ripple effect, allowing seven other players to be ‘bumped up’ the rankings. These players now receive an additional £1,500 prize money and will begin their campaigns directly in Saturday’s second round, bypassing the initial Friday clashes.
Gian van Veen Leads a Fresh Field
With the two Lukes (Littler and Humphries) skipping this trip to Austria, Dutch sensation Gian van Veen, the reigning European Champion, takes the prestigious top seed spot. He is now the highest-ranked player in the field and awaits the winner of the Friday evening match between his compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode and call-up player Madars Razma.
Past Champions Eyeing a Return to Glory
Despite the many withdrawals, two former champions remain in the hunt. Unsurprisingly, darts legend Michael van Gerwen (MVG), who has lifted this title an impressive five times, is one of them. The other is Martin Schindler, who arrives in Graz as the tournament’s defending champion, having triumphed last year.
Both past winners face potentially tricky opening encounters on Saturday:
- Michael van Gerwen could face the in-form Krzysztof Ratajski, assuming ‘The Polish Eagle’ successfully navigates his first-round match against a Host Nation Qualifier.
- Martin Schindler faces a similar scenario, awaiting either darts veteran Peter Wright or ‘Snakebite’s’ local opponent, who will be determined on Thursday.
Dangerous Dark Horses and Key Matchups
One player most competitors will be keen to avoid right now is the ‘man of the moment’, Wessel Nijman. He awaits the victor of the first-round clash between Niko Springer and Nick Kenny, promising a tough challenge for whoever emerges.
Last year’s runner-up, Ross Smith, who came agonisingly close to the title before being overcome by Schindler in the final, is back. If ‘Smudger’ aims to go one better this year, he must first overcome either Niels Zonneveld – a player known for his strong performances on the Euro Tour this season – or the highly capable James Hurrell.
A New Name on the Trophy?
Given the significant number of withdrawals, the tournament is wide open. Unless Wessel Nijman continues his incredible form and claims the title – which, let’s be honest, wouldn’t be a huge surprise right now – there is a very high probability that a brand new name will be added to the 2026 Euro Tour roll of honour. This makes the Austrian Darts Open an unmissable event for fans of upsets and rising stars.
Tournament Schedule at a Glance
The darting action kicks off with an exciting schedule:
- Friday Lunchtime: The opening round begins with Ryan Joyce and Gabriel Clemens setting the stage.
- Friday Evening: The first round concludes, determining who progresses.
- Saturday Afternoon: The seeded players, including the top names and those ‘bumped up’, join the competition for the second round.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
