The 2026 European Championship took place from October 22-25 in Dortmund, with a total prize pot of £750,000 up for grabs. The tournament followed 15 European Tour events in 2026, and the top 32 players on the European Tour Order of Merit battled it out for the ultimate prize. Ross Smith emerged victorious, defeating Martin Schindler in the final to claim the £150,000 winner's cheque, while Schindler had to settle for the £80,000 runner-up prize.
The prize money has increased from last time out, with the total prize pot rising from £600,000 to £750,000. The champion's reward of £150,000 is up £30,000 from the previous edition. The runner-up receives £80,000, while the two semi-finalists each get £50,000. A quarter-final exit is worth £35,000, the second round is £20,000, and a loss in the first round earns £7,500, which all players are guaranteed to take home at a minimum.
Gian van Veen was the reigning champion after clinching his maiden major title last year, defeating Luke Humphries in a last-leg decider. Humphries has since withdrawn from the event. Luke Littler, 19, was eyeing the only major title that has eluded him and qualified comfortably after winning two European Tour events from three involvements. Former champions Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, James Wade and Ross Smith all had good chances of clinching more success, and the field also included Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock, Wessel Nijman, Nathan Aspinall, Damon Heta, Chris Dobey and Dave Chisnall.
Smith's victory in Dortmund saw him break German hearts by ending Schindler's fairy tale run and claim the third major title of his career. The final was played on Sunday, October 25, with the semi-final between Gerwyn Price and Ross Smith having taken place earlier that evening. The prize money breakdown is as follows: 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.
