The European Championship will take place from October 22-25 in Dortmund. It follows in the footsteps of 15 European Tour events in 2026, with the ultimate prize now up for grabs.

The top 32 players on the European Tour Order of Merit will battle it out for a prize pot totalling at £750,000, with the winner collecting £150,000.

Who is competing?

Gian van Veen is the reigning champion after successfully clinching his maiden major title this time last year. He defeated Luke Humphries in a last-leg decider. Humphries has since withdrawn.

He has never won this event before, and that is the same for Luke Littler. All eyes will be on the 19-year-old who is eyeing the only major title that has avoided his grasp. He won two European Tour events from three involvements, enough to comfortably see him qualify.

Former champions Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, James Wade and Ross Smith all have good chances of clinching more success in this tournament. Also in action are the likes of Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock, Wessel Nijman, Nathan Aspinall, Damon Heta, Chris Dobey and Dave Chisnall.

The prize money has increased from last time out, with the total prize pot rising from £600,000 to £750,000. The champion will take home £150,000, up £30,000. The lucrative reward will be just missed by the runner-up, who will have to settle for £80,000. The two semi-finalists get £50,000, while a quarter-final exit is worth £35,000. The second round is £20,000 with a loss in the first round £7,500, in which all players are guaranteed to take home at a minimum.

European Championship 2026 prize money