The darting world is buzzing with anticipation as the inaugural Poland Darts Open kicks off the 2026 European Tour season, marking a historic moment for the sport in Poland. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Kraków, this event promises high-stakes drama, pinpoint precision, and unforgettable moments as 48 top players battle it out for glory and a share of the substantial prize pool. Following the thrill of recent major tournaments, this knockout extravaganza at the EXPO Kraków venue from February 20 to 22 is poised to showcase the best of professional darts, blending established stars with emerging talents and local hopefuls. With the shorter format emphasizing quick thinking and nerves of steel, expect surprises, comebacks, and averages that could soar into the stratosphere.
This tournament holds special significance as the first European Tour event ever hosted in Poland, building on the country’s growing passion for darts after previous high-profile visits. The field is stacked with world-class competitors, ensuring every session is packed with potential upsets and masterclasses. The top 16 players, based on the PDC Order of Merit, enter directly into the second round, giving them a slight edge but also ramping up the pressure on the qualifiers to make an immediate impact. The format keeps things fast-paced: matches in the first four rounds are best of 11 legs, semifinals best of 13, and the final a grueling best of 15—all in double-out mode, where every dart counts.
The schedule is designed for maximum excitement, spanning three action-packed days with afternoon and evening sessions to accommodate fans both in the arena and watching from afar. On Friday, February 20, the first round gets underway with the afternoon session starting at 1 p.m. local time, featuring early clashes among the unseeded players and qualifiers. The evening session from 7 p.m. continues the first-round battles, setting the stage for the big names to enter. Saturday, February 21, shifts focus to the second round, again split into afternoon (1 p.m.) and evening (7 p.m.) sessions, where the seeded stars will face off against the first-round winners in what could be some of the tournament’s most explosive encounters. Finally, Sunday, February 22, delivers the climax: the round of 16 in the afternoon from 1 p.m., followed by the evening session at 7 p.m. encompassing the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final. This structure allows for building tension, with the crowd’s energy peaking as the field narrows to the ultimate champion.
Speaking of the prize money, it’s a lucrative affair totaling £230,000, motivating players to bring their A-game. The winner takes home a hefty £35,000, while the runner-up earns £15,000. Semifinalists pocket £10,000 each, quarterfinalists £8,000, those in the round of 16 get £5,000, second-round exits yield £3,500, and even first-round participants walk away with £2,000. Beyond the cash, success here counts toward the PDC Order of Merit, ProTour Order of Merit, and European Tour Order of Merit, which could secure spots in future majors like the European Championship.
The field itself is a who’s who of darts royalty, led by the seeded players who represent the cream of the crop. World Champion Luke Littler headlines as the top seed, followed closely by Luke Humphries in second, the rising sensation Gian van Veen in third, and the evergreen Michael van Gerwen in fourth. Rounding out the top seeds are Jonny Clayton (5), Gary Anderson (6), Stephen Bunting (7), Ryan Searle (8), Josh Rock (9), Danny Noppert (10), James Wade (11), Gerwyn Price (12), Chris Dobey (13), Nathan Aspinall (14), Martin Schindler (15), and Ross Smith (16). These powerhouses will be itching to assert dominance early in the season, especially with a busy calendar ahead that might see some skipping later events.
Joining them are the ProTour Order of Merit qualifiers, a group of consistent performers ready to challenge the elite: Wessel Nijman, Damon Heta, Jermaine Wattimena, Cameron Menzies, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Luke Woodhouse, Niko Springer, Ryan Joyce, William O’Connor, Mike De Decker, Joe Cullen, Krzysztof Ratajski, Dave Chisnall, Niels Zonneveld, Daryl Gurney, and Andrew Gilding. The Tour Card qualifiers add depth and unpredictability, including Cristo Reyes, Connor Scutt, Ritchie Edhouse, Adam Gawlas, Mickey Mansell, Darryl Pilgrim, Jeffrey de Graaf, Thomas Lovely, Marvin Kraft, and Carl Sneyd. Regional flavor comes from the four Host Nation qualifiers from Poland (yet to be confirmed), Nordic & Baltic representative Andreas Harrysson, and East Europe qualifier Boris Krčmar. This mix ensures a blend of global talent and local pride, potentially creating fairy-tale stories if the home players shine.
As for the draw, it’s set to be revealed on Thursday, February 19, around noon UK time, just a day before the action begins. The process pits the ProTour qualifiers, Tour Card winners, and regional entrants against each other in the first round, with winners advancing to face the seeds in round two. This setup often leads to intriguing matchups, where underdogs can topple giants if they catch them cold.
Predictions for this wide-open event are flying thick and fast, with experts highlighting several favorites based on recent form. One analyst notes, “Gary Anderson always seems to crop up and win one then barely plays for the rest of the year apart from the ones that are easy to get to and I see the same here.” Another emphasizes Gerwyn Price’s scorching start to the season: “The Iceman appears to be in the best early-season form I can remember… Following a strong showing at The Masters, deep runs on the floor, and a nightly win in the Premier League, all the ingredients are there for another European Tour triumph.” Price’s recent demolition of opponents, including a 6-0 thrashing with a 117 average, makes him a hot pick.
Luke Littler remains a perennial threat, with one expert stating, “Whenever a tournament is held for the very first time, you might as well pencil in Luke Littler straight away. The Nuke has already shown that he thrives on big occasions and fresh stages.” Gian van Veen also garners support: “For the title I am going to edge Gian van Veen to clinch first Euro Tour success, with a few surprising names going deep.” Michael van Gerwen’s recent resurgence is noted too: “I also see Michael van Gerwen as a big favourite, given his recent form.” Nathan Aspinall, last year’s European Tour standout, is tipped to continue his momentum: “You cannot write off last year’s number one in Europe, Nathan Aspinall, from continuing his impressive form.” Wessel Nijman emerges as a dark horse: “Wessel Nijman managed to beat him [Price], and I expect him to do well here too. He has already won four floor tournaments and is still waiting for his first television title.”
Other names like Danny Noppert, James Wade, Luke Humphries, Krzysztof Ratajski, and Luke Woodhouse are mentioned as potential spoilers, with one observer adding, “Nathan Aspinall always does well on the Euro Tour and is also among the contenders… And I have a feeling that James Wade could do surprisingly well here too.” Cristo Reyes, back after a hiatus, is highlighted for his eye-catching averages: “I am also particularly looking forward to seeing Cristo Reyes back on the European Tour stage… With a favourable draw, Reyes certainly has the quality to make a deep run.”
In a field this strong, the shorter format could level the playing field, making for edge-of-your-seat viewing. Whether it’s a veteran like Anderson reclaiming the spotlight or a young gun like van Veen breaking through, the Poland Darts Open is set to deliver a thrilling start to the European Tour. Fans can catch the live action through international streams, with the atmosphere in Kraków sure to electrify the proceedings. As the darts fly, one thing is certain: this event will set the tone for an exhilarating year in professional darts.
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