Get ready for unexpected twists at the inaugural 2026 Poland Darts Open in Krakow! Darts giants Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen have both withdrawn due to illness. This sudden turn of events has opened the door for former World Champion Michael Smith and rising talent Callan Rydz, who now step into the limelight for this exciting European Tour event.
High Stakes in Krakow: The 2026 Poland Darts Open Kicks Off
The 2026 European Tour season officially begins today in Krakow with the much-anticipated Poland Darts Open. This marks the first time this event will be staged, promising a fresh start to the darting calendar. While Round 1 action begins today, the biggest names, including recent stars like Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, will join the fray in Round 2 on Saturday evening.
Illness Strikes: Price and Van Gerwen Out
The build-up to the tournament has been overshadowed by the unexpected withdrawals of two of darts’ biggest stars:
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Gerwyn Price: Rumours about Price’s withdrawal began swirling last night after he reportedly felt unwell on stage during his previous event in Glasgow. These whispers were officially confirmed this morning when the PDC released a statement, citing illness as the reason for his absence. The ‘Iceman’ will be sorely missed by fans.
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Michael van Gerwen: ‘Mighty Mike’ had already missed Thursday night’s play, and it appears the prescribed antibiotics have not had the desired effect. Unfortunately, Van Gerwen will also miss the inaugural Poland Darts Open, leaving a significant void in the draw.
New Opportunities: Smith and Rydz Step In
While the absence of Price and Van Gerwen is disappointing for many, it creates a fantastic opportunity for two other top players:
Michael Smith Replaces Gerwyn Price
Former World Champion Michael Smith, known as ‘Bully Boy’, steps in to replace Gerwyn Price. Smith had narrowly missed out on qualification, losing a contentious match to Micky Mansell. Smith notably accused Mansell of being a ‘Horrible Player’ due to the slow pace between shots, quipping, “Should’ve been a boxer, knocked one man out of two tournaments.” Now, Smith gets his chance and will enter the tournament in Round 2 on Saturday evening. His opponent will be the winner of the match between Joe Cullen and home nation qualifier Krzysztof Kcuik.
Callan Rydz Joins the Field
Another player to benefit from the withdrawals is Callan Rydz, also known as ‘The Riot’. Rydz will also join the tournament in Round 2, where he is set to face the winner of the clash between Luke Woodhouse and Carl Sneyd. This is a significant chance for Rydz to make his mark on the European Tour.
Catch All the Action
Don’t miss a moment of the drama! You can catch all the live action from 12 pm today on PDCTV. Round 1 features exciting matches, including appearances from Ally Pally favourite Andreas Harryson, Jermaine Wattimena, and Dave Chisnall, promising a thrilling start to the tournament.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
