Get ready for a thrilling darts spectacle! The European Darts Grand Prix 2026, the fifth stop on the European Tour, is heading to Sindelfingen, Germany, from April 17-19. This year sees reigning champion Gary Anderson return to defend his title, alongside a star-studded field, despite the absence of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. German hopefuls like Martin Schindler and Niko Springer are eager to make their mark on home soil. With a massive £230,000 prize fund up for grabs and live coverage available, fans are in for an unforgettable weekend of high-stakes darts action.
The Stage is Set: European Darts Grand Prix Returns to Sindelfingen
The European Darts Grand Prix has been a cornerstone of the darts calendar since 2014, consistently drawing top talent to Sindelfingen. For its 2026 edition, the event maintains its prestigious lineup, with only a few notable changes. Early announcements confirmed that superstar players **Luke Littler** and **Luke Humphries** would not be making the journey. More recently, **Ryan Joyce** withdrew, opening the door for former 2019 champion **Ian White** to step in.
All eyes will be on the legendary **Gary Anderson**, the “Flying Scotsman,” who is making one of his rare appearances in Germany this year. Anderson has an incredible record at this event, having won the last two editions, including a dominant **8-0 final victory** against Andrew Gilding in the most recent tournament. He begins his title defense in Round 2, facing the winner of the match between Germany’s **Niko Springer** and local hero **Robin Masino**.
German Hopes Shine Bright on Home Soil
Local fans have plenty to cheer for, with several German players aiming to make a significant impact:
- Martin Schindler: Despite slipping out of the world’s top 16, Schindler secured a seeded position (14th) for this event. He will enter the tournament in the second round, taking on the victor of the clash between **Damon Heta** and **Madars Razma**. A potential Last 16 encounter with **Jonny Clayton** looms.
- Niko Springer: Springer faces a fascinating first-round match against fellow German and debutant **Robin Masino**. For Masino, a local qualifier, this is a true fairy tale. Springer previously overcame a tough 6-5 battle against another German debutant, Jan Schmidt, so he’ll be prepared for a challenge.
- Paul Krohne: The in-form Krohne is set for a challenging opening match against **Andrew Gilding**. Despite last year’s heavy final defeat to Anderson, Gilding has fond memories of Sindelfingen and recently showed strong form with a quarter-final run in Munich. The winner of this match will advance to face **Chris Dobey**.
- Michael Hurtz: After years away, Hurtz makes a welcome return to the European Tour, where he previously reached the second round twice in the 2010s. He faces a tough opponent in the currently strong **Krzysztof Ratajski**.
- Michael Unterbuchner: “Hurtzi” will kick off the Friday evening session against **William O’Connor**. Fans will be eyeing a potential second-round showdown with world number two **Michael van Gerwen** on Saturday evening.
Key First-Round Clashes to Watch
Beyond the German contingent, several first-round matches promise high drama:
- Niels Zonneveld vs Keane Barry: Both players have shown impressive form this season, with Zonneveld reaching the final session three times.
- Petr Krivka vs Dave Chisnall: Czech qualifier Krivka is known for his passionate and emotional performances, which could set up an entertaining potential second-round match against **Gerwyn Price**.
- Kim Huybrechts vs Dirk van Duijvenbode: This Friday evening clash is highly anticipated, featuring two players who have recently delivered strong performances.
Tournament Schedule at a Glance
The European Darts Grand Prix spans three action-packed days:
- Friday, April 17, 2026 – First Round:
- Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST)
- Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST)
- Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Second Round: (Seeded players enter the competition)
- Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST)
- Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST)
- Sunday, April 19, 2026 – Finals Day:
- Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST): Last 16 matches
- Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST): Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and The Grand Final
The Elite Field: Who’s Playing?
The tournament features a mix of the world’s top players and talented qualifiers. The **Top 16 seeded players** from the PDC Tour Order of Merit enter in the second round:
- Gian van Veen
- Michael van Gerwen
- Jonny Clayton
- James Wade
- Josh Rock
- Gerwyn Price
- Stephen Bunting
- Danny Noppert
- Gary Anderson
- Ryan Searle
- Chris Dobey
- Ross Smith
- Nathan Aspinall
- Martin Schindler
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Mike De Decker
Additional players qualified through the Pro Tour Order of Merit, Tour Card Holder Qualifiers, Eastern Europe, Nordic & Baltic, and Host Nation Qualifiers. Notably, **Ian White** replaced **Ryan Joyce** due to a last-minute withdrawal.
Prize Money: What’s at Stake?
A substantial **£230,000** total prize fund is on offer at the European Darts Grand Prix. The winner will take home a grand prize of **£35,000**.
It’s crucial to understand the ranking implications: For the 32 pre-qualified players (those from the PDC Order of Merit and Pro Tour Order of Merit), their prize money will **only count towards their respective ranking lists if they win their first match**. If they lose their opening game, they still receive the prize money, but it will not contribute to their PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, or Pro Tour Order of Merit rankings.
Prize Money Breakdown:
- 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
How to Catch the Action Live
Darts fans can follow all the action from Sindelfingen through various broadcast channels:
- Streaming on DAZN: This sports streaming service offers comprehensive live and HD coverage of all major PDC tournaments, including all European Tour events and World Series events. Viewers can watch on smart TVs, smartphones, PCs, laptops, and tablets. DAZN provides various subscription options, allowing fans to catch every dart thrown, and importantly, offers a re-live feature to watch missed games at any time.
- Live on Sport1: German free-to-air channel Sport1 will also broadcast the European Darts Grand Prix 2026 live. Specific broadcast times include:
- Friday, April 17, 2026: 1st Round (Afternoon Session: 12:30 – 18:00; Evening Session: 18:00 – 23:00)
- Saturday, April 18, 2026: 2nd Round (Afternoon Session: 12:30 – 18:00; Evening Session: 18:00 – 23:00)
- Sunday, April 19, 2026: Last 16 (Afternoon Session: 14:00 – 18:00); Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final (Evening Session: 19:00 – 23:00)
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
