2026 Belgian Darts Open

2026 Lecot Belgian Darts Open
Tournament information
Dates20–22 March 2026
VenueOktoberhallen
LocationWieze, Belgium
Organisation(s)Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)
FormatLegs
Prize fund£230,000
Winner's share£35,000
High checkout161
Luke Woodhouse
Mickey Mansell
Champion(s)
 Luke Humphries (ENG)
«Event 2 Event 4»

The 2026 Belgian Darts Open (known for sponsorship reasons as the 2026 Lecot Belgian Darts Open) was a professional darts tournament that took place at the Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium, from 20 to 22 March 2026.[1] It was the third of fifteen PDC European Tour events on the 2026 PDC Pro Tour. It featured a field of 48 players and £230,000 in prize money, with £35,000 going to the winner.

Luke Littler was the defending champion, having defeated Mike De Decker 8–5 in the 2025 final.[2][3][4] However, he lost 6–5 to Niels Zonneveld in the third round, marking the end of Littler's 12-match unbeaten streak at the tournament.

Luke Humphries won the tournament, his ninth European Tour title, by defeating Jonny Clayton 8–6 in the final.

Prize money

As part of a mass boost in prize money for Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events in 2026, the prize fund for all 2026 European Tour events rose to £230,000, of which the winner receives £35,000.[5][6]

Stage (num. of players) Prize money
Winner (1) £35,000
Runner-up (1) £15,000
Semi-finalists (2) £10,000
Quarter-finalists (4) £8,000
Third round losers (8) £5,000
Second round losers (16) £3,500*
First round losers (16) £2,000*
Total £230,000
  • Pre-qualified players from the Orders of Merit who lose in their first match of the event shall not be credited with prize money on any Order of Merit.[7]

Qualification and format

The top 16 players on the two-year PDC Order of Merit were seeded and entered the tournament in the second round, while the next 16 highest-ranked players from the one-year PDC Pro Tour Order of Merit automatically qualified for the first round. The seedings were confirmed on 12 February.[8][9] The remaining 16 places went to players from four qualifying events – 10 from the Tour Card Holder Qualifier (held on 18 February),[10] four from the Host Nation Qualifier (held on 19 March),[11] one from the Nordic & Baltic Associate Member Qualifier (held on 7 February),[12] and one from the East European Associate Member Qualifier (held on 25 January).[13]

Gian van Veen, Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Price withdrew and were replaced by Ricky Evans, Mickey Mansell and Ian White. Damon Heta, Jermaine Wattimena and Mike De Decker moved up to become the 14th, 15th and 16th seeds respectively.[14]

Summary

First round

Belgian qualifiers Kim Huybrechts (pictured in 2019) and Andy Baetens were victorious in the first round. They reached the third round and the quarter-finals, respectively.

The first round (best of 11 legs) was played on 20 March.[15] Belgium's Kim Huybrechts, a two-time European Tour winner, was victorious in his opening match, defeating Niko Springer 6–3 with a three-dart average of 101.76. "The feeling you get when you play in front of your home crowd and you win—this is amazing," said Huybrechts after the match.[15] Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld was beaten 6–1 by Boris Krčmar, while 2023 world champion Michael Smith lost 6–3 to Mickey Mansell, who hit a 161 checkout.[16][17] Belgium's Andy Baetens went to a deciding leg against Joe Cullen, where both players missed match darts before Baetens won the match on double 8.[18] The other two host nation qualifiers were eliminated: Ryan Meikle came back from 4–1 behind to defeat François Schweyen 6–4, and Luke Woodhouse converted a 161 checkout on his way to winning 6–2 against European Tour debutant Pascal Devroey.[19] Wessel Nijman, who won the European Darts Trophy the previous week, was beaten 6–3 by Sebastian Białecki.[18]

Finland's Jani Haavisto returned to the European Tour for the first time in 11 years and 11 months, losing 6–4 to Niels Zonneveld.[19] Cristo Reyes hit a 160 checkout to complete a 6–4 win over Krzysztof Ratajski. Eight-time European Tour winner Dave Chisnall won five consecutive legs to defeat Thibault Tricole 6–2. William O'Connor and Cameron Menzies earned 6–1 victories over European Tour debutants Tyler Thorpe and Sietse Lap, respectively. Daryl Gurney was also a 6–1 winner against Ian White.[15]

Second round

The defending champion Luke Littler (pictured in 2025) won his opening match, but was eliminated by Niels Zonneveld in the third round.

The second round (best of 11 legs) was played on 21 March.[20] World champion Luke Littler won his opening match 6–2 against Boris Krčmar, averaging 104.70 in the process. "My first European Tour event was here. I want to win it again, and performances like that will put me up there," commented Littler afterwards.[21] Belgian duo Kim Huybrechts and Andy Baetens progressed to the third round with respective 6–4 victories over Premier League players Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting; their compatriot Mike De Decker, the 16th seed, squandered a 5–3 lead and lost 6–5 to Niels Zonneveld, who set up a third-round meeting with Littler.[22] Dirk van Duijvenbode attempted to overturn a 4–0 deficit against world number two Luke Humphries, missing darts to send the match to a deciding leg and allowing Humphries to take a 6–4 win. Third and fourth seeds Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton were also victorious, securing wins over Mickey Mansell and Sebastian Białecki.[21]

Sixth seed James Wade lost 6–2 to Cristo Reyes, eleventh seed Nathan Aspinall was beaten 6–3 by Ryan Joyce, and Daryl Gurney defeated fourteenth seed Damon Heta 6–3. Danny Noppert averaged 106.17 on his way to beating Luke Woodhouse 6–3. Ryan Searle converted a 122 checkout to win a deciding leg against Ricky Evans. Jermaine Wattimena, Chris Dobey, and Martin Schindler all advanced with 6–3 victories, while Ross Smith was a 6–4 victor over Cameron Menzies.[20]

Final day

Luke Humphries (pictured in 2025) won his ninth European Tour title.

The third round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final were played on 22 March. The third round and quarter-finals were contested over the best of 11 legs, the semi-finals over the best of 13 legs, and the final over the best of 15 legs.[23] The final day saw Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries reach the final. In the third round, where six of the eight matches went to a deciding leg,[24] Luke Littler suffered a 6–5 loss to Niels Zonneveld, who won the decider with a 147 checkout. This marked Littler's first defeat in a ranking event since October 2025, and his first-ever defeat at the Belgian Darts Open after a streak of 12 matches unbeaten, including title wins in 2024 and 2025.[25] "It's such a relief. I showed some really good nerve there. I'm so happy," commented Zonneveld after the win.[26] Clayton followed a 6–5 victory over Ross Smith by beating first-time quarter-finalist Andy Baetens 6–1. In the semi-finals, Zonneveld missed four match darts to eliminate Clayton, who won 7–6 to advance to the final. Humphries secured his place in the final by defeating Jermaine Wattimena, Chris Dobey and Michael van Gerwen.[23][24] Clayton and Humphries had contested the night six final of the 2026 Premier League earlier in the month, where Clayton won 6–1.[27]

Clayton claimed the opening leg of the final, but the Welshman soon found himself behind as Humphries won the next six legs to lead 6–1, converting checkouts of 142 and 130 during his run. Clayton then staged a comeback, winning four of the next five legs, including a 126 checkout on the bullseye. He trailed 7–6, one leg away from a decider, but Humphries completed the next leg in 13 darts to secure an 8–6 victory.[25] He finished the match with a three-dart average of 97.37.[28]

Humphries won the tournament, his ninth European Tour title and first in Belgium. The victory extended his run of winning a European Tour title every year since 2022, and placed him in joint-second on the all-time list of European Tour winners alongside Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright, and behind Van Gerwen.[26][29] Speaking after the match, Humphries said he "felt the nerves" when attempting to close out the match, saying: "I did [feel the nerves] in the end there because Jonny [Clayton] is one of the most underrated darts players in the world. He's always there and you can't shake him off."[26] "I'm just dedicated and working so hard to push every darts player and be the best version of myself," added the world number two, before joking that he was going to "keep trying to be the second-best player in the world".[30] Speaking in defeat, Clayton praised his opponent, calling Humphries "a great asset to darts". He remarked: "When you've got to face the likes of Luke [Humphries] week in, week out, it's difficult, but I'm still a part of it, so I'm proud of myself."[23]

Draw

The draw was announced on 19 March.[14] Numbers to the left of a player's name show the seedings for the top 16 in the tournament. The figures to the right of a player's name state their three-dart average in a match. The three reserve players are indicated by 'Alt'. Players in bold denote match winners.[28]

First round
(best of 11 legs)
20 March		Second round
(best of 11 legs)
21 March		Third round
(best of 11 legs)
22 March		Quarter-finals
(best of 11 legs)
22 March		Semi-finals
(best of 13 legs)
22 March		Final
(best of 15 legs)
22 March
  Raymond van Barneveld 89.4811 Luke Littler 104.706
 Boris Krčmar 101.216 Boris Krčmar 94.672
1 Littler 103.205
 Zonneveld 101.586
  Niels Zonneveld 101.01616 Mike De Decker 91.555
 Jani Haavisto 91.834 Niels Zonneveld 92.006
  Zonneveld 95.646
8 Noppert 84.723
  Luke Woodhouse 96.9068 Danny Noppert 106.176
 Pascal Devroey 77.732 Luke Woodhouse 102.663
8 Noppert 97.946
9 Searle 101.905
  Scott Williams 83.4829 Ryan Searle 91.616
Alt Ricky Evans 94.566Alt Ricky Evans 97.215
  Zonneveld 88.026
4 Clayton 89.067
  Wessel Nijman 95.7034 Jonny Clayton 98.196
 Sebastian Białecki 99.786 Sebastian Białecki 93.783
4 Clayton 95.196
13 R Smith 93.615
  Cameron Menzies 85.30613 Ross Smith 92.896
 Sietse Lap 78.531 Cameron Menzies 83.434
4 Clayton 99.296
 Baetens 87.601
  Joe Cullen 101.4055 Stephen Bunting 85.284
 Andy Baetens 93.606 Andy Baetens 89.896
  Baetens 98.066
12 Schindler 92.715
  William O'Connor 95.97612 Martin Schindler 94.796
 Tyler Thorpe 87.721 William O'Connor 95.173
4 Clayton 94.166
2 Humphries 97.378
  Dirk van Duijvenbode 98.9362 Luke Humphries 100.256
 Lukas Wenig 92.643 Dirk van Duijvenbode 94.324
2 Humphries 102.916
15 Wattimena 91.451
  Ryan Meikle 85.36615 Jermaine Wattimena 94.646
 François Schweyen 89.834 Ryan Meikle 88.063
2 Humphries 95.566
10 Dobey 90.725
  Niko Springer 99.8537 Josh Rock 91.854
 Kim Huybrechts 101.766 Kim Huybrechts 87.326
  Huybrechts 93.493
10 Dobey 97.296
  Dave Chisnall 94.59610 Chris Dobey 91.036
 Thibault Tricole 85.632 Dave Chisnall 84.223
2 Humphries 105.967
3 van Gerwen 93.382
  Michael Smith 98.2133 Michael van Gerwen 99.296
Alt Mickey Mansell 94.956Alt Mickey Mansell 95.374
3 van Gerwen 108.656
 Gurney 109.735
  Daryl Gurney 97.88614 Damon Heta 80.913
Alt Ian White 86.221 Daryl Gurney 98.406
3 van Gerwen 99.576
 Joyce 90.934
  Krzysztof Ratajski 98.0146 James Wade 89.702
 Cristo Reyes 102.136 Cristo Reyes 95.936
  Reyes 93.355
 Joyce 93.446
  Ryan Joyce 87.84611 Nathan Aspinall 89.433
 Adam Gawlas 86.684 Ryan Joyce 93.246

References

  1. ↑ "Lecot Belgian Darts Open 2026". PDC Europe. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Luke Littler continues winning streak with defence of Belgian Open title". The Independent. PA Sport. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  3. ↑ "Belgian Darts Open: Luke Littler beats Mike De Decker 8-5 to retain European Tour title". Sky Sports. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  4. ↑ Collins, Ben (9 March 2025). "Littler beats De Decker to defend Belgian title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  5. ↑ Phillips, Josh (31 March 2025). "Biggest prize money increase in PDC history confirmed". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Belgian Darts Open 2026". Mastercaller. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "PDC Rankings Rules". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Gorton, Josh (12 February 2026). "2026 ET3-4 Seeds & Tour Card Holder qualifier entries confirmed". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  9. ↑ "Race to ET3 and ET4 2026". dartsrankings.com. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "PDC ET03 Tour Card Holder Qualifier". DartConnect. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "PDC ET03 Host Nation Qualifier". DartConnect. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  12. ↑ "PDCNB 2026 Tour - Latvia - Weekend 01". DartConnect. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  13. ↑ "PDC ET03 E. Europe Qualifier". DartConnect. 25 January 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  14. 1 2 Gorton, Josh (19 March 2026). "2026 Lecot Belgian Darts Open draw & schedule". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 Gorton, Josh (20 March 2026). "Huybrechts & Baetens deliver on Day One at Belgian Darts Open". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Belgian Darts Open: Former world champions Michael Smith and Raymond van Barneveld eliminated in first round". Sky Sports. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  17. ↑ "Mickey Mansell knocks former world champion Michael Smith out of Belgian Darts Open". RTÉ Sport. Press Association. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  18. 1 2 Wood, Kieran (20 March 2026). "Belgian Darts Open 2026 Roundup - Wessel Nijman dumped out as Baetens stuns Cullen and Krcmar batters Van Barneveld in Friday night drama". dartsnews.com. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Belgian Darts Open: Huybrechts und Baetens sorgen für Ekstase in Wieze" [Belgian Darts Open: Huybrechts and Baetens cause ecstasy in Wieze]. PDC Europe (in German). 20 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  20. 1 2 Gorton, Josh (21 March 2026). "Brilliant Littler dazzles in Wieze as Belgian duo progress". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Belgian Darts Open: Luke Littler averages 104 in opening win as James Wade and Josh Rock suffer early exits". Sky Sports. 21 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  22. ↑ "'Deze mensen zijn gek. Fantastisch om hier te spelen': Kim Huybrechts en Andy Baetens kwalificeren zich voor derde ronde, Mike De Decker ligt eruit" ['These people are crazy. Fantastic to play here': Kim Huybrechts and Andy Baetens qualify for third round, Mike De Decker is out]. HLN (in Dutch). 21 March 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 Wagner, Connor (22 March 2026). "Heroic Humphries edges past Clayton to clinch Belgian Darts Open". Professional Darts Corporation. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Lecot Belgian Darts Open: Humphries erstmals Champion in Belgien" [Lecot Belgian Darts Open: Humphries becomes champion in Belgium for the first time]. PDC Europe (in German). 22 March 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Humphries wins Belgian Open then makes 'second best' joke". BBC Sport. 22 March 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 Mirza, Raz; Mills, Stephen (22 March 2026). "Luke Humphries wins Belgian Darts Open as Luke Littler's hopes of Wieze hat-trick ends in shock defeat". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  27. ↑ Higham, Paul (12 March 2026). "Clayton overcomes gout to crush Humphries in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Results of Belgian Darts Open 2026". Mastercaller. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  29. ↑ Michael, Lucas (22 March 2026). "Belgian Darts Open 2026 Round-up - Luke Humphries holds off charging Clayton to clinch the title in Wieze". dartsnews.com. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  30. ↑ "Luke Humphries wins in Belgium as Luke Littler's hat-trick bid ends early". The Independent. Press Association. 22 March 2026. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
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