Stephen Bunting will begin his defence of the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open against Krzysztof Ratajski or Cristo Reyes, with the draw and schedule for this weekend’s event now confirmed. The seventh European Tour event of 2026 will feature a 48-player field competing for the £35,000 top prize in Riesa from May 22-24, with […]
Stephen Bunting will begin his defence of the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open against Krzysztof Ratajski or Cristo Reyes, with the draw and schedule for this weekend’s event now confirmed.
The seventh European Tour event of 2026 will feature a 48-player field competing for the £35,000 top prize in Riesa from May 22-24, with reigning champion Bunting set to headline alongside Dutch duo Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen.
Friday’s opening round will feature 16 matches across the day, as German star Niko Springer takes on European Tour debutant Charlie Manby in a blockbuster tie between two of the sport’s emerging talents.
Dirk van Duijvenbode faces former World Champion Rob Cross in another high-profile clash, while Kim Huybrechts continues his bid for World Matchplay qualification against Daryl Gurney.
Kevin Doets – targeting his second PDC ranking title of the month – begins his title challenge against an in-form Tom Bissell, as Ratajski and Reyes also prepare to go head-to-head.
2023 UK Open winner Andrew Gilding has been pitted against Bradley Brooks, while Joe Cullen – the International Darts Open champion in 2020 – tackles quick-fire Dutchman Chris Landman.
Eight-time European Tour event winner Dave Chisnall will play Host Nation representative Liam Maendl-Lawrance in round one, with German number two Ricardo Pietreczko up against Maik Kuivenhoven at the same stage.
The top 16 players on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder then enter the fray on Saturday, as fourth seed Bunting takes on Poland’s premier player Ratajski or Spain’s number one Reyes.
Reigning European Champion Van Veen will meet Connor Scutt or Finn Behrens, while three-time World Champion Van Gerwen opens his challenge against Madars Razma or Hungarian qualifier György Jehirszki.
Gerwyn Price kicks off his bid for a record-extending fifth International Darts Open crown against Ryan Joyce or Jeffrey Sparidaans, as the Welshman makes his European Tour return in Riesa.
Ten-time TV title winner James Wade faces a potential encounter against Chisnall, with Cameron Menzies or Michael Unterbuchner awaiting sixth seed Josh Rock in round two.
World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle has been handed a tough assignment against either Springer or Manby, while Gurney and Huybrechts compete for the right to play Chris Dobey for a place in the last 16.
2024 champion Martin Schindler marks his return to home soil against Karel Sedlacek or Johan Engstrom, as the German number one aims to reclaim the International Darts Open title.
Belgian number one Mike De Decker will play Van Duijvenbode or Cross for a last 16 berth, with Wessel Nijman – a winner of six PDC ranking titles in 2026 – locking horns against William O’Connor or Paul Krohne.
Following the conclusion of round two, the remaining 16 players will return to battle it out from 1200 local time (1100 BST) on Sunday, before the tournament reaches its climax with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a bumper evening session, which begins from the earlier time of 1800 local time (1700 BST).
Live coverage of the International Darts Open will be streamed on DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with additional coverage available on CANAL+ SPORT 5 and via the CANAL+ streaming service in Poland.
Coverage will also be broadcast on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers’ worldwide.
NB: From the original list of entries, Luke Humphries and Michael Smith have withdrawn from the event, and have been replaced by Rob Cross and Maik Kuivenhoven from the Reserve List.
2026 Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open
Tournament Draw Bracket – Second Round Onwards
Players seeded based on PDC Ranking position
(1) Gian van Veen v Connor Scutt/Finn Behrens
(16) Luke Woodhouse v Kevin Doets/Tom Bissell
(8) Ryan Searle v Niko Springer/Charlie Manby
(9) Chris Dobey v Daryl Gurney/Kim Huybrechts
(4) Stephen Bunting v Krzysztof Ratajski/Cristo Reyes
(13) Mike De Decker v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Rob Cross
(5) Gerwyn Price v Ryan Joyce/Jeffrey Sparidaans
(12) Jermaine Wattimena v Andrew Gilding/Bradley Brooks
(2) Michael van Gerwen v Madars Razma/Gyorgy Jehirszki
(15) Damon Heta v Niels Zonneveld/Keane Barry
(7) Danny Noppert v Ricardo Pietreczko/Maik Kuivenhoven
(10) Ross Smith v Joe Cullen/Chris Landman
(3) James Wade v Dave Chisnall/Liam Maendl-Lawrance
(14) Wessel Nijman v William O’Connor/Paul Krohne
(6) Josh Rock v Cameron Menzies/Michael Unterbuchner
(11) Martin Schindler v Karel Sedlacek/Johan Engstrom
Schedule of Play – SCHEDULE OF PLAY SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Friday May 22
Round One
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Ryan Joyce v Jeffrey Sparidaans
Connor Scutt v Finn Behrens
Madars Razma v Gyorgy Jehirszki
Andrew Gilding v Bradley Brooks
Cameron Menzies v Michael Unterbuchner
Ricardo Pietreczko v Maik Kuivenhoven
Karel Sedlacek v Johan Engstrom
Niels Zonneveld v Keane Barry
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Dave Chisnall v Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Kevin Doets v Tom Bissell
William O’Connor v Paul Krohne
Joe Cullen v Chris Landman
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Rob Cross
Krzysztof Ratajski v Cristo Reyes
Niko Springer v Charlie Manby
Daryl Gurney v Kim Huybrechts
Saturday May 23
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Jermaine Wattimena v Gilding/Brooks
Damon Heta v Zonneveld/Barry
Luke Woodhouse v Doets/Bissell
Danny Noppert v Pietreczko/Kuivenhoven
Ross Smith v Cullen/Landman
Mike De Decker v Van Duijvenbode/Cross
Wessel Nijman v O’Connor/Krohne
Josh Rock v Menzies/Unterbuchner
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Chris Dobey v Gurney/Huybrechts
James Wade v Chisnall/Maendl-Lawrance
Ryan Searle v Springer/Manby
Gerwyn Price v Joyce/Sparidaans
Gian van Veen v Scutt/Behrens
Michael van Gerwen v Razma/Jehirszki
Stephen Bunting v Ratajski/Reyes
Martin Schindler v Sedlacek/Engstrom
Sunday May 24
Afternoon Session (1200 local time, 1100 BST)
Round Three
Evening Session (1800 local time, 1700 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
Sunday’s games played in Draw Bracket order