Michael van Gerwen will look to end his barren run with victory at the Elten Safety Shoes Dutch Darts Championship, with the draw and schedule now confirmed. The three-time world champion endured a disappointing first-round exit at the World Grand Prix against Ryan Joyce before suffering another early setback with a second-round defeat to Mensur Suljovic at last weekend's Swiss Darts Trophy. With the final European Tour event of 2026 taking place at MECC Maastricht from October 16-18, the race for European Championship qualification reaches its climax on Dutch soil, with 'The Green Machine' determined to end his title drought in front of his home crowd.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Van Gerwen's last big tournament success came at the Nordic Darts Masters in June, where he defeated Luke Humphries in the final. His last major TV title before that came on home soil at the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Van Gerwen will open his campaign against William O'Connor or Richard Veenstra on Saturday.
The stakes are also high in the race to qualify for the £750,000 European Championship, which takes place in Dortmund later this month. The top 32 players in the European Tour rankings following this weekend's tournament will secure their place in the prestigious event. Friday's opening round in Maastricht features 16 matches, including an all-Dutch clash as Niels Zonneveld takes on Belgian No 1 Mike De Decker.
Michael Smith, meanwhile, has been pitted against Stephen Burton in a crucial contest, as the 2023 world champion aims to secure his spot in Dortmund. Jonny Clayton will open his defence against Damon Heta or Maikel Verberk. Schedule of Play - SUBJECT TO CHANGEFriday October 16Round OneAfternoon Session (12pm)Karel Sedlacek v Callan RydzCameron Menzies v Nick KennyJeffrey de Graaf v Mickey MansellDave Chisnall v Jonas MasalinAndrew Gilding v Max HoppRyan Joyce v Owen BatesRicardo Pietreczko v Heine UuldriksDirk van Duijvenbode v James Hurrell Evening Session (6pm)Sebastian Bialecki v Daryl GurneyWilliam O'Connor v Richard VeenstraNiko Springer v Scott WilliamsNiels Zonneveld v Mike De DeckerKim Huybrechts v Jimmy van SchieCristo Reyes v Krzysztof KciukDamon Heta v Maikel VerberkMichael Smith v Stephen Burton Saturday October 17Round TwoAfternoon Session (12pm)Martin Schindler v Sedlacek/RydzWessel Nijman v De Graaf/MansellLuke Woodhouse v Gilding/HoppRoss Smith v Joyce/BatesDanny Noppert v Chisnall/MasalinRyan Searle v Van Duijvenbode/HurrellRob Cross v Pietreczko/UuldriksKrzysztof Ratajski v Zonneveld/De Decker Evening Session (6pm)Gerwyn Price v Springer/WilliamsJermaine Wattimena v Huybrechts/Van SchieStephen Bunting v Menzies/KennyGian van Veen v Bialecki/GurneyMichael van Gerwen v O'Connor/VeenstraJonny Clayton v Heta/VerberkNathan Aspinall v M Smith/BurtonChris Dobey v Reyes/Kciuk Sunday October 18Afternoon Session (12pm)Round Three Evening Session (6pm)Quarter-FinalsSemi-FinalsFinal Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live.
Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
