Flanders Darts Trophy 2026: Full Tournament Preview
The Flanders Darts Trophy returns for 2026, as some of the world’s leading players travel to Antwerp for the 13th event of the 2026 PDC European Tour.
With three days of competition, a £230,000 prize fund and valuable European Tour ranking points at stake, the tournament is set to provide a high standard of professional darts and a series of closely contested matches.
The 2026 edition will feature defending champion Luke Littler, alongside Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and numerous other leading players. With 48 competitors in the field and the top 16 seeds entering at the second-round stage, significant incentives will be present from the opening session onwards.
When Is The Flanders Darts Trophy?
The Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 runs from Friday, 11th September to Sunday, 13th September 2026. The tournament is the 13th of 15 events on the 2026 PDC European Tour calendar.
The opening round takes place across two sessions on Friday, with the afternoon session beginning at 1pm local time and the evening session starting at 7pm. Saturday follows the same schedule, with the second round played across afternoon and evening sessions.
Sunday begins with the last 16 in the afternoon before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place during the evening session. The evening session is scheduled to begin at 7pm local time.
The tournament follows a straightforward knockout format. The first four rounds are played over the best of 11 legs, the semi-finals are best of 13 legs and the final is best of 15 legs. Every leg is played in double-out format.
For fans following the tournament from the UK, the afternoon sessions begin at 12pm UK time, while the evening sessions start at 6pm UK time. Session times can still be subject to operational changes, so anyone attending should check the latest information from the tournament organisers before travelling.
Where Is The Flanders Darts Trophy Held?
The Flanders Darts Trophy takes place at Antwerp Expo in Antwerp, Belgium. The venue has hosted the event since its introduction to the European Tour in 2024 and will once again welcome the PDC circuit’s leading players in 2026.
Antwerp Expo is located on Jan Van Rijswijcklaan in Antwerp and is an established exhibition and events venue. Its return as the home of the Flanders Darts Trophy means players and supporters will once again experience the lively atmosphere that has become associated with the Belgian stop on the European Tour.
The tournament has already produced two different champions. Dave Chisnall won the inaugural Flanders Darts Trophy in 2024, defeating Ricardo Pietreczko 8-6 in the final, before Luke Littler claimed the title in 2025 after edging Josh Rock 8-7.
Who Is Competing In The 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy?
The 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy features a 48-player field made up through several qualification routes. The top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit at the entry deadline are seeded and enter the competition in the second round.
A further 16 players qualify through the ProTour rankings, while the remaining places are filled through Tour Card Holder and regional qualifying routes.
The players competing in the 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy are:
Seeded players
- Luke Littler
- Luke Humphries
- Gian van Veen
- Jonny Clayton
- James Wade
- Michael van Gerwen
- Josh Rock
- Gerwyn Price
- Stephen Bunting
- Danny Noppert
- Ryan Searle
- Gary Anderson
- Chris Dobey
- Wessel Nijman
- Nathan Aspinall
- Ross Smith
PDC Pro Tour Order of Merit qualifiers
- Luke Woodhouse
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Kevin Doets
- Krzysztof Ratajski
- Andrew Gilding
- Rob Cross
- William O’Connor
- Niko Springer
- Niels Zonneveld
- Ryan Joyce
- Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Joe Cullen
- Cameron Menzies
- Damon Heta
- Martin Schindler
- Sebastian Bialecki
Tour Card qualifier
- Bradley Brooks
- Cristo Reyes
- Jim Long
- Stephen Burton
- Jeffrey de Graaf
- Beau Greaves
- Raymond van Barneveld
- Karel Sedlacek
- Mickey Mansell
- Chris Landman
Host Nation qualifier
- TBC
Nordic and Baltic qualifier
- Michael Hansen
East European qualifier
- Petr Tous
With 48 players competing, the event combines established world-class names with experienced ProTour players and qualifiers looking to make an impact on one of the European Tour’s biggest stages.
Who Is Favourite To Win The Flanders Darts Trophy?
Luke Littler starts as one of the obvious players to watch. The defending champion won the 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy by defeating Josh Rock 8-7 in the final and returns to Antwerp looking to retain the title.
Luke Humphries is another major contender, while Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting provide plenty of additional experience and quality at the top of the draw.
The seeded field also includes Gary Anderson, James Wade and Nathan Aspinall, meaning the tournament contains considerable depth beyond the leading favourites.
The eventual draw will have a major bearing on the route to the final. The 16 seeds are kept apart in the second round, with each facing a player who has progressed from the opening round.
That means a difficult first-round opponent can immediately create an intriguing second-round matchup, while the knockout nature of the event leaves little room for mistakes.
What Is The Prize Money at the Flanders Darts Trophy?
The total prize fund for the 2026 Flanders Darts Trophy is £230,000, representing a significant increase in the European Tour prize fund for the 2026 season.
The winner will receive £35,000, while players progressing through the later stages will also earn substantial prize money and ranking points.
The allocation for the tournament is:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-up: £15,000
- Semi-finalists: £10,000
- Quarter-finalists: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32: £3,500
- First round: £2,000
The prize money counts towards the PDC Order of Merit, the ProTour Order of Merit and the European Tour Order of Merit. The latter is particularly important because the European Tour rankings help determine qualification for the European Championship.
The Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 therefore offers much more than a trophy. Players are competing for a £35,000 first prize, valuable ranking money and an opportunity to strengthen their position in the race for the European Championship.
With Luke Littler returning as defending champion and a 48-player field featuring many of the biggest names in professional darts, Antwerp is set for another major European Tour weekend.
Bet on the Flanders Darts Trophy at Bet442
The Flanders Darts Trophy offers plenty of opportunities to follow the action, from the opening-round matches on Friday through to the final on Sunday evening.
If you choose to bet, compare the available markets and odds carefully, remember that odds can change as the tournament progresses, and only bet what you can afford to lose.
Bet442 is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring a safe and secure betting experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly by sticking to a strict budget within your means and making use of any responsible gambling tools available.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.