The International Darts Open 2026 is set to ignite Riesa, Germany, from May 22-24, promising a thrilling spectacle despite some unexpected twists. Top contenders Luke Humphries and Michael Smith are out, leaving the field wide open. Gian van Veen steps up as the new top seed, while defending champion Stephen Bunting and four-time winner Gerwyn Price eye the coveted title. Seven German players will proudly represent their nation, aiming for a share of the impressive £230,000 prize fund. Get ready for an action-packed weekend of high-stakes darts!
Riesa Ready for Darts Extravaganza!
The European Tour continues its exciting journey, making its next stop in Riesa, Germany, for the International Darts Open 2026. Following the previous event in Austria, darts fans are eagerly anticipating three days of top-tier competition. This year’s tournament, held from Friday, May 22nd to Sunday, May 24th, will see a field of 48 players battling it out for glory.
Star Players Out, New Faces Step Up
The tournament has experienced a significant shake-up with the late withdrawals of two major names:
- Luke Humphries, originally the top seed, has withdrawn.
- Michael Smith is also out due to ongoing health issues requiring medical attention.
Adding to the intrigue, current world number one Luke Littler did not register for the event. These absences have opened doors for other players:
- Luke Woodhouse moves up into a seeded position.
- Rob Cross and Maik Kuivenhoven now complete the 48-player line-up.
As a result, Gian van Veen takes on the mantle of the number one seed in Riesa, leading the top half of the draw. The bottom half is spearheaded by darts legend Michael van Gerwen, while Stephen Bunting returns as the defending champion. Four-time winner Gerwyn Price will be aiming for an impressive fifth victory at this event.
Germany’s Strong Contingent
A total of seven German players will be competing on home soil, hoping to make a deep run in the tournament:
- Martin Schindler (Germany’s No. 1 and 11th Seed): He enters the competition on Saturday, facing the winner of the match between Karel Sedlacek and Johan Engström in the evening session.
- Niko Springer (Pro Tour Qualifier): Kicks off his campaign on Friday against Charlie Manby. A potential second-round clash on Saturday could see him face Ryan Searle.
- Ricardo Pietreczko (Pro Tour Qualifier): Also playing on Friday, he takes on Dutch replacement Maik Kuivenhoven. Should he advance, Danny Noppert might await him in the second round.
- Host Nation Qualifiers (All playing Friday):
- Finn Behrens: The first German to step up to the oche on Friday afternoon, in the second match of the day against Connor Scutt.
- Michael Unterbuchner: Also features on Friday afternoon, challenging Cameron Menzies.
- Liam Maendl-Lawrance: Has the honour of opening Friday evening’s session against veteran Dave Chisnall.
- Paul Krohne: Plays later on Friday evening, taking on William O’Connor.
Clash of Titans: Key First-Round Encounters
Beyond the German hopefuls, several first-round matches promise to be electrifying:
- Daryl Gurney vs. Kim Huybrechts: A battle between two experienced and passionate players.
- Krzysztof Ratajski vs. Cristo Reyes: Expect a high-scoring affair from these consistent performers.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Rob Cross: A power-scoring showdown that could go either way.
Full Schedule: Don’t Miss a Dart!
The International Darts Open 2026 unfolds over three action-packed days:
Friday, May 22nd, 2026
- Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST): Featuring the first-round matches for many qualifiers, including Finn Behrens, Michael Unterbuchner, Ricardo Pietreczko, Karel Sedlacek, and more.
- Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST): Continues with first-round action, highlighted by Liam Maendl-Lawrance, Paul Krohne, Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Rob Cross, Krzysztof Ratajski vs. Cristo Reyes, Niko Springer, and Daryl Gurney vs. Kim Huybrechts.
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
- Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST): The seeded players enter the fray, taking on the winners from Friday’s matches. Expect clashes involving Jermaine Wattimena, Damon Heta, Luke Woodhouse, Danny Noppert, Ross Smith, Mike De Decker, Wessel Nijman, and Josh Rock.
- Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST): More second-round action, with top seeds like Chris Dobey, James Wade, Ryan Searle, Gerwyn Price, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, and Martin Schindler making their tournament debuts.
Sunday, May 24th, 2026
- Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST): The Last 16 matches will determine who progresses to the final stages.
- Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST): The tension builds with the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and the grand Final, where the 2026 International Darts Open champion will be crowned.
The Stakes: A Share of £230,000
The International Darts Open boasts a substantial prize fund, with a total of £230,000 up for grabs. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000
- Quarter-Finalists: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Second Round: £3,500
- First Round: £2,000
Important Rule: For the prize money to count towards the PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, and Pro Tour Order of Merit, players who qualified via the PDC Tour Order of Merit or Pro Tour Order of Merit must win their first match. If they lose their opening game, they still receive the prize money, but it will not contribute to their ranking totals.
Catch All the Action: Where to Watch
Darts fans can follow every dart thrown at the International Darts Open 2026 through various broadcasting options:
- DAZN: This premier sports streaming service will broadcast all major tournaments, European Tour events, and World Series events LIVE and in High Definition. Viewers can watch on Smart TVs, smartphones, PCs, laptops, and tablets. DAZN offers various subscription plans, including an “Unlimited” annual subscription (€34.99/month) or a flexible monthly subscription (€44.99/month). A more affordable “Super Sports” annual plan is also available (€19.99/month), with a monthly option at €24.99/month, though it includes fewer live rights. A key benefit of DAZN is the ability to re-watch missed games at any time.
- DAZN Darts X Pluto TV Channel: For those looking for a free option, the action can also be streamed live on the DAZN Darts X Pluto TV Channel, available on Pluto TV.
The Contenders: Complete Player Roster
Here’s a detailed look at the players participating in the International Darts Open 2026:
Top 16 PDC Tour Order of Merit (Seeded Players):
- 1. Gian van Veen (replaces Luke Humphries)
- 2. Michael van Gerwen
- 3. James Wade
- 4. Stephen Bunting
- 5. Gerwyn Price
- 6. Josh Rock
- 7. Danny Noppert
- 8. Ryan Searle
- 9. Chris Dobey
- 10. Ross Smith
- 11. Martin Schindler
- 12. Jermaine Wattimena
- 13. Mike De Decker
- 14. Wessel Nijman
- 15. Damon Heta
- 16. Luke Woodhouse (moves into seeded position due to Humphries’ withdrawal)
Pro Tour Order of Merit Qualifiers:
- Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Niko Springer
- Niels Zonneveld
- Krzysztof Ratajski
- Daryl Gurney
- William O’Connor
- Joe Cullen
- Ryan Joyce
- Kevin Doets
- Andrew Gilding
- Dave Chisnall
- Cameron Menzies
- Karel Sedlacek
- Ricardo Pietreczko
Tour Card Holder Qualifiers:
- Chris Landman
- Bradley Brooks
- Tom Bissell
- Kim Huybrechts
- Jeffrey Sparidaans
- Madars Razma
- Keane Barry
- Cristo Reyes
- Connor Scutt
- Charlie Manby
- Rob Cross (replaces Michael Smith)
- Maik Kuivenhoven (replaces a withdrawn player)
Regional Qualifiers:
- Eastern Europe Qualifier: György Jehirszki
- Nordic & Baltic Qualifier: Johan Engström
Host Nation Qualifiers (Germany):
- Finn Behrens
- Michael Unterbuchner
- Paul Krohne
- Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
