European Darts Championship 2026: FAQ

FAQ

Who won the Darts European Championship 2026?

The 2026 European champion is Ross Smith. The top-seeded Englishman won the European Darts Championship final 11-8 against Martin Schindler, taking his second European title after 2022 and his third major title.

When and where did the 2026 Darts European Championship take place?

The European Darts Championship 2026 was held from 22 to 25 October 2026. For the fifth time in a row, the venue was the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund.

How far did Martin Schindler get at the 2026 Darts European Championship?

Martin Schindler reached the final, making him the first German in a major final. On the way there he beat Wessel Nijman 6-5, Jermaine Wattimena 10-4, Jonny Clayton 10-1 and Krzysztof Ratajski 11-6, before losing 8-11 to Ross Smith in the European Darts Championship final. The second German starter, Niko Springer, lost 3-6 to Jonny Clayton in round 1.

How much prize money was on offer at the European Championship 2026?

The total prize money for the European Darts Championship was increased by £150,000 compared with the previous year, to £750,000. Winner Ross Smith received £150,000 and runner-up Martin Schindler £80,000; first-round losers got £7,500.

What format was played at the 2026 Darts European Championship and how do you qualify?

The European Darts Championship is played as a knockout event with 32 players, in 501 double-out. Round 1 was best of 11 legs, the last 16 and the quarter-finals best of 19 legs, the semi-finals and the final best of 21 legs. All 32 places were awarded solely via the European Tour Order of Merit, i.e. by the prize money won at the 15 European Tour events in 2026.

Is there a schedule for the Darts European Championship in Dortmund?

Yes. On Thursday 22 October and Friday 23 October, eight first-round matches were played from 7 pm each day; on Saturday 24 October the eight last-16 matches followed from 1 pm and from 7 pm. On Sunday 25 October the four quarter-finals were played from 1 pm, and the two semi-finals plus the final of the European Darts Championship from 7 pm. Doors opened one hour before the start of each session.

What were the results at the 2026 Darts European Championship?

In round 1, Luke Woodhouse (6-3 against Dirk van Duijvenbode, with a nine-darter), Stephen Bunting (6-5 against Danny Noppert), Cameron Menzies (6-3 against Niels Zonneveld), Gerwyn Price (6-2 against Rob Cross), Damon Heta (6-5 against James Wade), Kim Huybrechts (6-1 against Ryan Searle), Gian van Veen (6-4 against Andrew Gilding), Ross Smith (6-4 against Karel Sedláček), Jermaine Wattimena (6-3 against Ryan Joyce), Krzysztof Ratajski (6-2 against Dave Chisnall), Nathan Aspinall (6-3 against Cristo Reyes), Jonny Clayton (6-3 against Niko Springer), Luke Littler (6-3 against William O'Connor), Martin Schindler (6-5 against Wessel Nijman), Kevin Doets (6-3 against Michael van Gerwen) and Josh Rock (6-1 against Chris Dobey) went through. In the last 16, Gerwyn Price won 10-4 against Cameron Menzies, Stephen Bunting 10-3 against Kim Huybrechts, Ross Smith 10-7 against Damon Heta, Luke Woodhouse 10-6 against Gian van Veen, Krzysztof Ratajski 10-8 against Kevin Doets, Martin Schindler 10-4 against Jermaine Wattimena, Luke Littler 10-5 against Nathan Aspinall and Jonny Clayton 10-8 against Josh Rock. The quarter-finals went to Ross Smith (10-6 against Luke Woodhouse), Gerwyn Price (10-3 against Stephen Bunting), Martin Schindler (10-1 against Jonny Clayton) and Krzysztof Ratajski (10-6 against Luke Littler). In the semi-finals, Ross Smith won 11-7 against Gerwyn Price and Martin Schindler 11-6 against Krzysztof Ratajski; in the final Ross Smith won 11-8.

Where was the European Darts Championship 2026 shown on TV and live stream?

Sport1 showed the European Darts Championship 2026 free-to-air on TV and live stream in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, covering every session: Thursday 7 pm to 11 pm, Friday from 6.30 pm including the countdown, Saturday 12.30 pm to 5 pm and 7 pm to 11 pm, plus Sunday 2 pm to 4.55 pm and 7 pm to 11 pm. The major was also available on a paid basis on DAZN, internationally via PDC Europe TV and in Great Britain, the Netherlands and Scandinavia via Viaplay.