The PDC European Tour is set to make a vibrant return to Riesa, Saxony, from May 22 to 24, 2026, featuring the highly anticipated ELTEN Safety Shoes International Darts Open at the WT Energiesysteme Arena. This thrilling tournament will see 48 players vying for a substantial prize fund of £230,000, marking the 11th occasion the event has taken place at this venue.
Gerwyn Price: The Benchmark of Riesa Darts
Welsh darts sensation Gerwyn Price has undeniably set the benchmark in Riesa. He boasts an impressive collection of four titles from the years 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. In addition to his titles, Price holds several significant tournament records, including the most 180s scored (100), the most matches played (32), a remarkable 12-match winning streak, and the highest average recorded at the event, standing at an impressive 115.74. While Price has been a dominant force, recent tournaments have brought forth new champions. Martin Schindler made history in 2024 by becoming the first German champion of the tournament, claiming his inaugural European Tour title in Riesa. Following him, Stephen Bunting lifted the trophy last year and now arrives as the defending champion.
The form shown across the 2026 European Tour indicates a highly competitive contest. This season has already witnessed six different players taking home titles: Luke Littler, Wessel Nijman, Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price, and Josh Rock, all demonstrating the depth of talent in the field.
Germany will once again have a strong presence in Riesa. The Host Nation Qualifier has granted four spots to local talents: Paul Krohne, Michael Unterbuchner, Liam Maendl-Lawrance, and Finn Behrens. They will join the seeded German players, led by Schindler, along with Ricardo Pietreczko and Niko Springer. Notably, Springer has climbed to 17th in this season’s European Tour Order of Merit, having achieved one quarterfinal appearance and three runs to the last 16.
With a mix of star players and recent champions set to compete, the International Darts Open promises to be another fiercely contested weekend in Riesa, where fans can expect thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.