The European Championship 2026 gets underway in Dortmund from October 22-25, with the top 32 players on the European Tour Order of Merit battling it out for a prize pot totalling £750,000. The winner will collect £150,000, and the stakes have never been higher following 15 European Tour events in 2026.
Gian van Veen arrives as the reigning champion after clinching his maiden major title this time last year, defeating Luke Humphries in a last-leg decider. Humphries has since withdrawn from the event. Van Veen will face a stern test if he is to defend his crown, with Luke Littler among the field. The 19-year-old is eyeing the only major title that has avoided his grasp, having 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.
Here is the full breakdown of the European Championship 2026 prize money:
