Gian Van Veen stunned the 32-player field by reigning supreme at the European Championship in 2025 and we've got all the details you need to know ahead of the 2026 instalment of the competition.
The top 32 players on the 2026 European Tour Order of Merit will compete for the coveted title at the Westfalenhalle, with Luke Littler still searching for his maiden European Championship title.
European Championship Darts - Date
When is the European Championship Darts?
The 2026 European Championship will be staged over four days, beginning on 22nd October and reaching its conclusion on 25th October.
European Championship Darts - Prize Money
Winner (1): | £150,000 |
Runner-Up (1): | £80,000 |
Semi-Final Losers (2): | £50,000 |
Quarter-Final Losers (4): | £35,000 |
Second Round Losers (8): | £20,000 |
First Round Losers (16): | £7,500 |
The £750,000 event offers the winner a £150,000 top prize, with the runner-up taking home a cool £80,000.
First round losers are still guaranteed £7,500, with prize money rising with each round.
European Championship Darts - Venue & Location
The 2026 European Championship is being held at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund, Germany.
The indoor arena set a new record for darts events on German soil at the 2024 European Championship as over 33,000 fans packed inside the venue over four days.
European Championship Darts - Competitors
Who is playing at the European Championship Darts?
The top 32 players on the 2026 European Tour Order of Merit will compete for the title.
The European Tour campaign includes 14 events across the continent with the 32 players accumulating the most prize money featuring in the competition.
The likes of Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen are expected to qualify.
European Championship Darts - Format
What is the format for the European Championship Darts?
The 2026 European Championship will possess the same format as previous years, with matches played out over legs as opposed to sets.
The opening round will be best-of-11 legs, rising to best-of-21 legs for the semi-finals and final.
- Round 1: Best-of-11 legs.
- Round 2: Best-of-19 legs.
- Quarter-Finals: Best-of-19 legs.
- Semi-Finals: Best-of-21 legs.
- Final: best-of-21 legs.
European Championship Darts - History
The European Championship was first played in 2008 and, since 2016, it has taken place at the end of October and featured the top 32 players on the PDC European Tour Order of Merit.
The 2026 event will be the 19th edition of the event and the fifth time it will have been held at Dortmund's impressive Westfalenhalle.
Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen are the most decorated players in the history of the event, both capturing the title four times, whilst Rob Cross and Peter Wright are both two-time winners.
Gian Van Veen is the defending champion after defeating Luke Humphries 11-10 in a pulsating final in 2025.
