The highly anticipated draw for the Dutch Open Darts 2026 is officially out, setting the stage for an electrifying tournament. For those seeking a quick overview, this article highlights the key players and potential breakout stars across both the main Open Singles tournament and the exciting Warming-Up event. We break down the ‘sheets’ – individual mini-brackets – to spotlight who has the best chance of advancing and ultimately claiming victory.
The Dutch Open Darts is renowned for its thrilling atmosphere and fierce competition, attracting top talent from across the darting world. With the draw now public, enthusiasts are eagerly scrutinizing the matchups to predict who will go deep in the various tournaments. Here, we delve into the individual ‘sheets’ – essentially mini-tournaments within the larger event – to identify the players poised for success.
Understanding the ‘Sheets’ System
In darts tournaments like the Dutch Open, players are often grouped into ‘sheets’ or boards. Each sheet represents a small bracket where players compete against each other. The winner of each sheet then progresses to the later stages of the overall tournament, facing winners from other sheets. This system ensures a wide distribution of talent and offers multiple paths to the finals, making every initial match crucial.
The Main Event: Dutch Open 2026 Open Singles Tournament
With a massive field of 128 sheets, the Open Singles tournament is a true test of endurance and skill. While every player dreams of glory, some names stand out as strong favorites or intriguing dark horses. Here’s a look at some of the key players to watch, grouped by their respective sheets.
Top Contenders & Notable Names
Among the vast array of talent, several players arrive with significant reputations and are expected to make deep runs. Keep an eye on established stars and rising talents alike:
- Jelle Klaasen: A former major champion, Klaasen brings immense experience and firepower.
- Andy Baetens: Known for his consistent performance and strong scoring ability.
- Florian Hempel: A German international who has proven his mettle on big stages.
- Jan Dekker: A seasoned campaigner with a history of strong performances in open events.
- Wesley Harms: A familiar face in the latter stages of major tournaments.
- Brian Raman: A Belgian talent with a growing reputation and strong form.
- Ron Meulenkamp: The “Bomb” is always a threat with his powerful throwing style.
- Darren Webster: “The Demolition Man” is a veteran capable of upsetting anyone.
- Jerry Hendriks: A dynamic player who can hit big scores and finishes.
- Derk Telnekes: A consistent performer known for his steady hand.
- Mareno Michels: Another experienced Dutch player looking to make an impact.
These players, along with many others, are spread across the 128 sheets, ensuring competitive action from the very start.
Key Sheets to Watch (A Selection)
While we can’t list all 128 sheets, here’s a glimpse into some of the early groups featuring strong contenders:
- Sheet 1: Jenson Walker, Michael De Meyer – A challenging start for these two.
- Sheet 2: Jules van Dongen, Ludovic Rubais – Van Dongen, known for his speed, will be a tough opponent.
- Sheet 4: Nigel van Milligen, Yordi Meeuwisse, Bradly Roes, Mateusz Sawczyn – A packed sheet with multiple strong players.
- Sheet 8: Patrick van den Boogaard, Patrick Peters, Roy Rietbergen, Donny Scheurwater, Loek van den Berg – Another highly competitive group.
- Sheet 13: Jamai van den Herik, Justin van der Velden, Mike van Duivenbode, Josephus Schenk – Four players with strong potential.
- Sheet 16: Martijn Kleermaker, Danny Blom, Remy van Alebeek, Michael Lie Ten – Kleermaker leads a formidable sheet here.
- Sheet 32: Jan Dekker, Berry Pater, Fabian Roosenbrand, Vincent van der Meer – A heavyweight sheet featuring Jan Dekker.
- Sheet 38: Andy Baetens, Angelo van Deventer, Bob Soudant – Baetens will be the favorite in this group.
- Sheet 43: Maikel Verberk, Florian Hempel – Hempel makes this a must-watch sheet.
- Sheet 74: Mylo Michiels, Darren Webster – Webster’s presence makes this sheet particularly exciting.
- Sheet 76: Danny Jansen, Pieter Colijn, Levy Frauenfelder, Berry van Peer – A very strong and deep group.
- Sheet 81: Brian Raman, Geert Nentjes – A high-profile clash in this sheet.
- Sheet 91: Lex Paeshuyse, Koen den Hartog, Jelle Klaasen, Maarten Post – Jelle Klaasen’s sheet will draw attention.
- Sheet 92: Wesley Harms, Daan Beernink – Harms is a strong contender here.
The remaining sheets are equally packed with talent, promising upsets and thrilling darting action throughout the tournament. Players like Marcus Maier, Nico Blum, Kevin Lankhuizen, Jeffrey Bekema, Erwin Extercatte, Mike van Leeuwen, Mike van Duivenbode, and many others will be battling hard for their chance to progress.
The Warming-Up Tournament: Early Battles
Before the main event truly kicks off, the Warming-Up tournament offers players a chance to fine-tune their game and gain momentum. This event features 16 sheets, each with its own set of hopefuls.
Sheets and Their Favorites
Here are the players identified as favorites to win their respective sheets in the Warming-Up tournament:
- Sheet 1: Damian Vetjens, Carlo van Peer, Jelle Klaasen, Marcel Otter, Berry Pater, Maikel Nüchter – An incredibly strong sheet for a warming-up event!
- Sheet 2: Thijs ten Hagen, Dylan van Dijk, Corné Groeneveld, Dustin Straver, Kevin Lens, Martijn Kleermaker – Another star-studded group.
- Sheet 3: Jurjen van der Velde, Timothy Verbrugghe, Jeffrey Keen, Niek Tuik
- Sheet 4: Danny van Klompenburg, Sander Voz, Danny van Trijp, Bert Jan Mulder, Keanu van Velzen
- Sheet 5: Jelle Will, Jimmy van Schie, Peter van den Broek, Marvin van Eenennaam, Armando Slotboom
- Sheet 6: Andy Baetens, Lorenzo te Hennepe, Dennis van der Ende, Ralph Wetzels – Baetens leading a strong sheet.
- Sheet 7: Luitsen Elzinga, Roy Rietbergen, Geert Nentjes, Shane Stoop, Willem van de Ven
- Sheet 8: Patrick van den Boogaard, Tonny Veenhof, Sydnee de Vries
- Sheet 9: Jamai van den Herik, Vincent Kamphuis, Jurrit van Essen, Yordi Meeuwisse, Tim van Rijsingen, Moreno Blom
- Sheet 10: Nigel Dikhoff, Calvin Nicolai, Kristiaan de Boer, Patrick Maat
- Sheet 11: Kenny Neyens, Gilbert van der Meijden, Wesley Plaisier
- Sheet 12: Luuk Boeijink
- Sheet 13: Vincent van der Meer, Danny Jansen, Arjan Konterman, Nigel Lloyd
- Sheet 14: Ricardo Ulrich, Michael Lie Ten
- Sheet 15: Davy van der Zande, Wesley van Trijp, Gerko Tibbe
- Sheet 16: Dennie Olde Kalter, Javanico Jansen, Jitse van der Wal
The Warming-Up tournament promises intense early competition, giving players a crucial opportunity to build confidence and form ahead of the main event.
Conclusion
The Dutch Open Darts 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable event, filled with high-stakes matches and incredible talent. With the draw now laid bare, the path to victory is clearer, though certainly not easier. From established champions to emerging contenders, every player will be aiming for glory. Who will rise to the occasion and etch their name into the history books? Only time will tell!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
