BUNTING BEGINS INTERNATIONAL DARTS OPEN TITLE DEFENCE

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.

2026 Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open

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

Schedule of Play – SCHEDULE OF PLAY SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

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

Saturday May 23

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

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

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

Sunday May 24

Afternoon Session (1200 local time, 1100 BST)

Round Three

Evening Session (1800 local time, 1700 BST)

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Final