Get ready for the third annual Pre-Season Darts Tournament on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, hosted at the Summer Festival in Garderen! This massive event, featuring 256 players across 48 dartboards, is a crucial warm-up for the new darts season. Expect thrilling competition with former champions like Jerry Hendriks defending his title against top contenders such as Jermaine Wattimena, Angelo Balsamo, and Jelle Klaasen. The tournament boasts a new group stage format leading to separate Winners’ and Losers’ Rounds, each with its own champion and significant prize money. With live scoring via advanced software and key matches on a main stage, this event promises high-stakes action and unforgettable darts.
Tournament Overview: A Darts Spectacle
On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the third edition of the Pre-Season Darts Tournament will kick off at the Summer Festival in Garderen. This event has quickly grown into one of the largest single darts tournaments in the region, attracting a full roster of 256 participants competing simultaneously across 48 state-of-the-art dartboards.
Starting at 7:00 PM (19:00 CET), players will vie for glory and crucial match practice ahead of the new darts season. The stakes are high, with defending champion and former PDC World Championship participant, Jerry Hendriks, returning to protect his title.
The Contenders: Who Will Reign Supreme?
All 256 participants are gearing up for intense competition. While the full list is available through official tournament channels, one name stands out as a strong favorite:
- Jermaine Wattimena
However, Wattimena will face formidable opposition from a lineup of seasoned professionals and rising stars, including:
- Angelo Balsamo
- Jelle Klaasen
- Moreno Blom
- Jerry Hendriks (defending champion)
- Luuk Boeijink
- Ricardo Ulrich
- Stefan Schröder
The stage is set for an unpredictable and thrilling battle for darting supremacy.
Exciting New Format: Group Stage to Grand Finals
This year’s tournament introduces a dynamic new format, departing from the previous double-knockout system to enhance competition and provide more playing opportunities:
- Group Stage Kick-off: All players begin in a group stage. Matches here will be played as best of three legs.
- Advancing to Rounds: The top two players from each group will advance to the prestigious Winners’ Round.
- Second Chance: All other players will continue their journey in the equally competitive Losers’ Round.
Crucially, both the Winners’ Round and the Losers’ Round will crown their own champions at the end of the evening, ensuring two exciting finales!
The format for the Winners’ and Losers’ Rounds will evolve as the evening progresses, with leg counts potentially increasing to add to the challenge and drama.
Prize Money and Special Achievements
Competitors will be battling not only for glory but also for attractive prize money and special recognition:
Winners’ Round Prizes:
- Winner: €400
- Runner-up: €200
- Third Place: €125
Losers’ Round Prizes:
- Winner: €100
- Runner-up: €50
- Third Place: €25
Special Awards:
- Highest Finish (or Most): Gift voucher from Dartshop Midden Nederland
- Most 180s: Gift voucher from Dartshop Midden Nederland
Tournament Logistics & Technology
The tournament is meticulously organized to ensure a smooth and engaging experience for everyone:
- Maximum Participants: 256 players
- Number of Dartboards: 48 boards
- Scoring System: The entire tournament is managed using the advanced 3K Darts Software by FK Events. Each of the 48 dartboards is equipped with a tablet, allowing for real-time score entry. This means the entire tournament can be followed live, even if you can’t be there in person, offering an immersive experience for remote fans.
Venue Information
The Pre-Season Darts Tournament takes place at:
Paardensportvereniging De Garderruiters
Speulderbosweg 28
3886 AP Garderen
Parking Details:
A large parking area is conveniently located between Putterweg and Speulderbosweg. The entrance to the parking lot is on the main road connecting Garderen and Putten, just before you enter Garderen. From the parking area, it’s approximately a 2-minute walk to the festival grounds where the tournament is held.
Live Action on the Main Stage
The most thrilling and pivotal matches of the tournament, including the highly anticipated finals, will be contested on a dedicated main stage. This setup provides players with an invaluable opportunity to gain stage experience under the spotlight, facing the cameras and the roar of the crowd. The action from the main stage will be broadcast live through official tournament channels, bringing every dart, every tension-filled moment, directly to fans near and far.
A Look Back: Past Champions
The tournament has a short but rich history of exciting finishes:
Previous Winners:
- 2024: Wilfred van den Brink
- 2025: Jerry Hendriks
Memorable Finals:
- 2024: Wilfred van den Brink 4-0 Angelo Balsamo
- 2025: Jerry Hendriks 4-1 Angelo Balsamo
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
