The draw for the 2026 PDC European Darts Grand Prix has been unveiled, as Sindelfingen in Germany prepares to host the fifth instalment of this season’s continental circuit.
Prior to proceedings, three notable withdrawals were confirmed, with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Luke Woodhouse all electing not to travel. Their places were assumed by Mike De Decker, Kevin Doets and Peter Wright. With two members of that trio occupying seeded positions, De Decker – alongside Jermaine Wattimena – were elevated accordingly, meaning their campaigns will now commence on Saturday.
Then, at the eleventh hour, Ryan Joyce withdrew, allowing top-ranked reserve Ian White to receive the call-up – a seasoned Euro Tour campaigner and a former champion of this very event. Despite these alterations, the majority of the sport’s elite contingent will be present, including six members of the current Premier League Darts line-up.
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Commencing with the reigning champion, The Flying Scotsman Gary Anderson arrives in pursuit of a remarkable hat-trick of consecutive titles in the Glaspalast. His opening assignment will be an all-German affair, facing either Niko Springer or home qualifier Robin Masino.
Following White’s late inclusion, the 48-player field also features four additional former champions. Michael van Gerwen, who shares Anderson’s record of two titles, must first navigate past the winner of William O’Connor and Michael Unterbuchner if he is to pursue a third crown.
With nine Euro Tour titles to his name – including a colossal five in a single season – Wright begins his latest continental venture against Jeffrey de Zwaan. Rob Cross, who triumphed in Sindelfingen three years ago, must first overcome Mickey Mansell. Meanwhile, Kim Huybrechts – champion at the tournament’s second staging over a decade ago – faces a formidable opening test against Dirk van Duijvenbode, requiring a continuation of his recent resurgent form.
Among the six Premier League representatives vying for silverware this weekend, current league leader Jonny Clayton awaits the victor of Karel Sedlacek versus Valters Melderis. Should the Czech emerge, The Ferret may face a stern examination against a player brimming with confidence.
In the absence of the two Lukes, Gian van Veen assumes the mantle of top seed. The Dutchman will take on either former Masters champion Joe Cullen or compatriot Maik Kuivenhoven.
There had been uncertainty surrounding Gerwyn Price’s participation following his withdrawal from the recent Players Championship double-header in Wigan. However, The Iceman has made the journey and will face either Dave Chisnall or Czech qualifier Petr Krivka on Saturday evening.
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Arguably, among the Premier League cohort, Stephen Bunting may have been handed the most onerous opening assignment, with either Cross or Mansell awaiting. For Josh Rock, the draw is scarcely kinder, with a potential clash against either Niels Zonnerveld or Keane Barry. Given Triple Z’s recent propensity for reaching the latter stages of Euro Tour events, that encounter could prove particularly enthralling.
2026 EUROPEAN DARTS GRAND PRIX (ET5)
Sindelfingen, Germany (17-19 April)
Round One: Friday Afternoon Session
Karel Sedlacek v Valters Melderis
Wessel Nijman v Ian White
Niels Zonneveld v Keane Barry
Krzysztof Ratajski v Michael Hurtz
Kevin Doets v Jurjen van der Velde
Andrew Gilding v Paul Krohne
Rob Cross v Mickey Mansell
Dave Chisnall v Petr Krivka
Round One: Friday Evening Session
William O’Connor v Michael Unterbuchner
Joe Cullen v Maik Kuivenhoven
Peter Wright v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Cameron Menzies v Raymond van Barneveld
Damon Heta v Madars Razma
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Kim Huybrechts
Daryl Gurney v Oskar Lukasiak
Niko Springer v Robin Masino
Round Two: Saturday Afternoon Session
Mike De Decker v Ratajski/Hurtz
Jermaine Wattimena v Doets/Van der Velde
Ryan Searle v Nijman/White
Danny Noppert v Gurney/Lukasiak
Chris Dobey v Gilding/Krohne
Gary Anderson v Springer/Masino
Stephen Bunting v Cross/Mansell
Josh Rock v Zonneveld/Barry
Round Two: Saturday Evening Session
Ross Smith v Menzies/Van Barneveld
Gerwyn Price v Chisnall/Krivka
Nathan Aspinall v Wright/De Zwaan
James Wade v Van Duijvenbode/Huybrechts
Gian van Veen v Cullen/Kuivenhoven
Michael van Gerwen v O’Connor/Unterbuchner
Martin Schindler v Heta/Razma
Jonny Clayton v Sedlacek/Melderis
—–Ends—–
