BUNTING BEGINS INTERNATIONAL DARTS OPEN TITLE DEFENCE
21/05/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
STEPHEN BUNTING will launch the defence of his International Darts Open crown against either Krzysztof Ratajski or Cristo Reyes.
The Bullet is aiming to become just the sixth player in history to successfully defend a European Tour title when the event returns to Riesa from May 22-24, with a star-studded 48-player field competing for the £35,000 top prize.
Friday’s first round will feature 16 matches, including a standout meeting between German prospect Niko Springer and Charlie Manby.
Former world champion Rob Cross takes on Dirk van Duijvenbode in one of the ties of the round, while Kim Huybrechts faces Daryl Gurney as both continue their push for World Matchplay qualification.
In-form Dutchman Kevin Doets begins his campaign against Tom Bissell as he targets a second ranking title of the month.
Elsewhere, 2023 UK Open champion Andrew Gilding plays Bradley Brooks, while former International Darts Open winner Joe Cullen meets Chris Landman.
Eight-time European Tour winner Dave Chisnall opens against Host Nation qualifier Liam Maendl-Lawrance, while German number two Ricardo Pietreczko faces Maik Kuivenhoven.
The top 16 seeds enter the tournament in Saturday’s second round.
Three-time world champion Michael Van Gerwen starts against either Madars Razma or Hungarian qualifier György Jehirszki.
Reigning European Champion Gian van Veen will meet Connor Scutt or Finn Behrens as he looks to end a run of three consecutive second round losses.
Gerwyn Price is aiming for a record-extending fifth International Darts Open crown and will open his challenge against Ryan Joyce or Jeffrey Sparidaans.
11-time major winner James Wade could meet Chisnall in the second round, while Josh Rock awaits either Cameron Menzies or Michael Unterbuchner.
Ryan Searle has been drawn against either Springer or Manby, while the winner of Huybrechts against Gurney will play Chris Dobey.
Former champion Martin Schindler begins his campaign on home soil against either Karel Sedlacek or Johan Engstrom.
Belgian number one Mike De Decker will take on either Van Duijvenbode or Cross, while prolific ProTour title winner Wessel Nijman faces William O’Connor or Paul Krohne.
Tournament Draw Bracket – Second Round Onwards
Players seeded based on PDC Ranking position
(1) Gian van Veen v Connor Scutt/Finn Behrens
(16) Luke Woodhouse v Kevin Doets/Tom Bissell
(8) Ryan Searle v Niko Springer/Charlie Manby
(9) Chris Dobey v Daryl Gurney/Kim Huybrechts
(4) Stephen Bunting v Krzysztof Ratajski/Cristo Reyes
(13) Mike De Decker v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Rob Cross
(5) Gerwyn Price v Ryan Joyce/Jeffrey Sparidaans
(12) Jermaine Wattimena v Andrew Gilding/Bradley Brooks
(2) Michael van Gerwen v Madars Razma/Gyorgy Jehirszki
(15) Damon Heta v Niels Zonneveld/Keane Barry
(7) Danny Noppert v Ricardo Pietreczko/Maik Kuivenhoven
(10) Ross Smith v Joe Cullen/Chris Landman
(3) James Wade v Dave Chisnall/Liam Maendl-Lawrance
(14) Wessel Nijman v William O’Connor/Paul Krohne
(6) Josh Rock v Cameron Menzies/Michael Unterbuchner
(11) Martin Schindler v Karel Sedlacek/Johan Engstrom
Friday May 22
Round One
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Ryan Joyce v Jeffrey Sparidaans
Connor Scutt v Finn Behrens
Madars Razma v Gyorgy Jehirszki
Andrew Gilding v Bradley Brooks
Cameron Menzies v Michael Unterbuchner
Ricardo Pietreczko v Maik Kuivenhoven
Karel Sedlacek v Johan Engstrom
Niels Zonneveld v Keane Barry
Dave Chisnall v Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Kevin Doets v Tom Bissell
William O’Connor v Paul Krohne
Joe Cullen v Chris Landman
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Rob Cross
Krzysztof Ratajski v Cristo Reyes
Niko Springer v Charlie Manby
Daryl Gurney v Kim Huybrechts
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Jermaine Wattimena v Gilding/Brooks
Damon Heta v Zonneveld/Barry
Luke Woodhouse v Doets/Bissell
Danny Noppert v Pietreczko/Kuivenhoven
Ross Smith v Cullen/Landman
Mike De Decker v Van Duijvenbode/Cross
Wessel Nijman v O’Connor/Krohne
Josh Rock v Menzies/Unterbuchner
Chris Dobey v Gurney/Huybrechts
James Wade v Chisnall/Maendl-Lawrance
Ryan Searle v Springer/Manby
Gerwyn Price v Joyce/Sparidaans
Gian van Veen v Scutt/Behrens
Michael van Gerwen v Razma/Jehirszki
Stephen Bunting v Ratajski/Reyes
Martin Schindler v Sedlacek/Engstrom
Afternoon Session (1200 local time, 1100 BST)
Round Three
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
