The 2026 PDC European Championship delivered a weekend of thrilling darts, culminating in Ross Smith securing his second major title of the year. While fan-favorite Luke Littler narrowly missed out on adding this prestigious trophy to his collection, Martin Schindler delighted the home crowd with an incredible run to the final. The tournament also saw a surprise withdrawal from Luke Humphries, a strong performance from late replacement Kim Huybrechts, and a continued challenging period for darts legend Michael van Gerwen. Dive into our detailed breakdown of all the winners and losers from Dortmund!
The 2026 PDC European Championship has concluded, leaving behind a trail of memorable moments, surprising upsets, and defining performances. From triumphant champions to players facing unexpected setbacks, the event in Dortmund was a true spectacle of professional darts.
The Winners: Celebrating Success and Breakthroughs
Ross Smith: The Unstoppable ‘Smudger’
Despite pre-tournament odds of 22/1, expectations for Ross Smith were exceptionally high following his World Series of Darts Finals victory in Amsterdam. And “Smudger” delivered, securing his second major title of the year, his third career major, and his second European Championship crown.
- Dominant Form: Smith showcased impressive performances throughout the tournament, including a convincing 10-6 win over Luke Woodhouse.
- Clutch Comebacks: He demonstrated incredible resilience, fighting back from a 4-1 deficit against Gerwyn Price in the semi-final to win 11-7.
- Major-Winning Experience: In the final, Smith leveraged his experience to defeat crowd favorite Martin Schindler 11-8, solidifying his status as a major champion.
It was an outstanding weekend for Smith, who continues to build an impressive legacy in the sport.
Martin Schindler: Germany’s Darts Darling
With only two German representatives in the event, the pressure was immense on Martin Schindler, especially after fellow German Niko Springer’s early exit. Backed by a passionate home crowd, Schindler rose to the occasion, crafting an impressive run to his maiden major final.
- Thrilling Opener: He battled past Dutch star Wessel Nijman in a last-leg decider in his opening game.
- Clinical Dominance: Schindler then delivered two commanding performances, including a stunning 10-1 victory over world number five Jonny Clayton, averaging an incredible 103.16 and reeling off nine straight legs.
- Reaching the Final: He overcame Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski in the semi-final before eventually falling to Ross Smith.
Schindler’s incredible performance not only captivated the Dortmund audience but also propelled him up the PDC Order of Merit to 20th place, marking him as a definite winner.
Krzysztof Ratajski: The Giant Slayer
Krzysztof Ratajski might not have moved significantly in the PDC Order of Merit, but his journey to a major semi-final was filled with positives, most notably his victory over one of the sport’s biggest stars.
- Strong Start: Ratajski easily dispatched Dave Chisnall 6-2 in the first round with a solid 91.21 average.
- Intense Battle: He then emerged victorious from a tough 10-8 clash against Kevin Doets.
- Halting Littler’s Charge: The highlight of his weekend was undoubtedly his 10-6 triumph over Luke Littler, where he took control early, leading 7-1, and held off a comeback attempt with a 100.79 average. This win ended Littler’s pursuit of the European Championship title.
Currently ranked world number 19, Ratajski’s strong showing has significantly closed the gap on players above him, proving his capability on the big stage.
Kim Huybrechts: The Unexpected Hero
For a player who wasn’t even scheduled to compete, Kim Huybrechts made the most of his unexpected opportunity, leaving Dortmund as a clear winner after reaching the second round.
- Late Call-Up: Huybrechts received a last-minute invitation to replace an ill Luke Humphries, facing Ryan Searle in round one.
- Seizing the Moment: “The Hurricane” fully embraced the chance, delivering a stunning 6-1 demolition of Ryan Searle, averaging an exceptional 103.81.
- Ranking Boost: This unexpected performance earned him a significant nine-place jump in the world rankings, a welcome boost after agonizingly missing out on qualification for the event previously.
Huybrechts’ story is a testament to readiness and seizing opportunities.
The Losers: Facing Setbacks and Missed Opportunities
Michael van Gerwen: A Legend’s Struggle Continues
The difficult period for one of darts’ all-time greats persisted at the European Championship. Michael van Gerwen suffered another early major defeat, resulting in a significant blow to his world ranking.
- Tough Draw & Early Exit: Van Gerwen faced an in-form Kevin Doets in round one and couldn’t find the form to overcome his compatriot, losing 6-3.
- Ranking Decline: This exit contributed to “Mighty Mike” falling outside the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2012. He now finds himself behind younger Dutch talents like Gian van Veen, Danny Noppert, and Wessel Nijman in the rankings.
- Understanding the Rankings: The PDC operates on a two-year rolling ranking system, meaning older prize money constantly drops off. Early exits like this prevent players from earning new prize money to offset those losses, making it challenging to maintain or improve their standing.
Regaining his former dominance appears to be a more distant goal than simply halting his current slide in the rankings.
Danny Noppert: Frustration at the Finish Line
Danny Noppert’s tournament ended in heartbreak, as a last-leg decider saw his hopes dashed. Despite a tough draw against Stephen Bunting, “The Freeze” had reason for confidence.
- Close Contest: After falling 2-0 behind, Noppert fought back to lead 3-2. The match remained tight, eventually going to a deciding leg.
- Crucial Misses: Despite having the throw in the decider, Noppert’s 13 missed darts at double throughout the match proved costly, allowing Stephen Bunting to seal victory with a magnificent 160 checkout.
- Ranking Drop: The frustration was clear, as a below-par 90.92 average wasn’t enough. Noppert entered the weekend hoping to climb, but left as the world number 11, falling four places.
It was a missed opportunity for Noppert to solidify his position among the elite.
Dirk van Duijvenbode: Another Early Exit
For Dirk van Duijvenbode, the European Championship was another major event to forget, marking his second consecutive first-round exit in a ranking major.
- Repeat Performance: Following a subpar showing at the World Grand Prix, where he lost to Gian van Veen, “The Titan” delivered a similarly disappointing performance.
- Record Low Average: Facing Luke Woodhouse, who produced a nine-darter and averaged 99.11, Van Duijvenbode managed to win only three legs and recorded the lowest opening-round average of any player at just 84.82.
- Ranking Impact: This early loss resulted in a two-place drop on the PDC Order of Merit, moving him to world number 22.
These back-to-back early exits mean Van Duijvenbode desperately needs strong runs in the upcoming busy period of the PDC calendar to prevent further decline from his best form, which saw him represent his nation at the World Cup of Darts in 2023.
Luke Littler: The Elusive Title
While often a winner, Luke Littler found himself among those who left Dortmund with a sense of unfinished business. He fell short once again in his quest for the European Championship title, making it the only established PDC ranking major he has yet to win.
- Halted by Ratajski: Littler’s run was brought to an end by Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarter-finals, a match where the Pole dominated the early stages.
- Unattained Goal: Despite a phenomenal season, this particular major continues to elude the young sensation, highlighting the competitive depth at the highest level of darts.
The pursuit of this specific title will undoubtedly fuel Littler’s determination in future tournaments.
What’s Next in the Darts Calendar?
The darts world moves quickly, offering little time for winners to bask in glory or for losers to dwell on shortcomings. An incredibly busy period of the darting calendar is upon us:
- ProTour Events: The final week of October and early November feature the last four ProTour floor events. These are crucial for players looking to qualify for upcoming majors.
- Grand Slam of Darts (November 14th-22nd): A major prestigious tournament where champions from various events compete.
- Players Championships Finals (November 27th-29th): The culmination of the Players Championship series, featuring the top performers from the ProTour.
- PDC World Darts Championship Qualifiers (November 30th): A final opportunity for Tour Card Holders to secure a spot in the sport’s biggest event.
The intensity of the professional darts circuit means every match counts, as players battle for ranking points, prize money, and qualification spots in the sport’s most prestigious events.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
