The European Championship is underway in Dortmund, running from October 22-25, and there is a hefty £750,000 prize pot on the line. The tournament follows in the footsteps of 15 European Tour events in 2026, with the ultimate prize now up for grabs for the top 32 players on the European Tour Order of Merit.
The money has gone up this year, with the total prize pot rising from £600,000 to £750,000. The champion will take home £150,000 — up £30,000 on last time out. The runner-up will have to settle for £80,000, while the two semi-finalists get £50,000 and a quarter-final exit is worth £35,000. A second-round loss earns £20,000, and a first-round defeat is worth £7,500 — with all players guaranteed to take home a minimum of that amount.
Gian van Veen is the reigning champion after successfully clinching his maiden major title this time last year, defeating Luke Humphries in a last-leg decider. Humphries has since withdrawn. Van Veen is not the only storyline in Dortmund, though — all eyes will be on 19-year-old Luke Littler, who is eyeing the only major title that has avoided his grasp. He has never won this event, and 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.
Here is the full European Championship 2026 prize money breakdown: Winner £150,000; Runner-up £80,000; Semi-finalists £50,000; Quarter-finalists £35,000; Second round £20,000; First round £7,500; Total £750,000.
