The inaugural Winamax Franken Darts Gala, hosted by PDC Europe, made a successful debut at the sold-out brose Arena in Bamberg on Friday night. Around 4,000 spectators created a vibrant backdrop, underlining the growing popularity of darts in Germany. The event was the sixth stop of the 2026 gala series, marking the tour's first visit to the venue.
German caller Franz Engerer, born in Bayreuth, described the experience as a home game: “This is something very special. I think this is the shortest trip of any darts event I’ve ever had. I think it’s mega cool, a really awesome venue. It’s already a lot of fun, even though it hasn’t even started yet. I think it’s great that we’re here – hopefully as often as possible in the future.”
Local favorite Niko Springer, Germany's number three, received raucous support from the fans. He assessed the atmosphere: “The support is enormous. It’s a bit of a mixed bag – maybe sometimes even a bit too much for the player himself, because you try to stay calm. In general the atmosphere is always really good and you try to make the best of it.” Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld also took the stage, saying: “Fantastic. Events like this are always fantastic. There’s not as much pressure as usual because it’s a show event, but of course you still want to win and play well. The great atmosphere and the fans cheering you on give you an overwhelming feeling.”
The evening culminated in a thrilling final between Gian van Veen and Springer. Both produced a contest on a knife-edge before the Dutch vice world champion edged it 4-3. In the closing stages, van Veen kept his nerve and sealed the title with Springer’s own darts in hand.
While these gala events have no ranking or competitive status, many top players use them to gain stage time and showcase themselves. PDC Europe will continue its gala series in 2026, with upcoming stops in Magdeburg, Mannheim, Hildesheim, Bremen, Jena, Cologne, and a double-header in Lingen.
