Saxony calls and the world’s elite of darts follows. From May 22 to 24, 2026, the WT Energiesysteme Arena in Riesa will transform for the eleventh time into a stage for the Winamax PDC European Tour. At the ELTEN Safety Shoes International Darts Open, 48 of the world’s best professionals will compete for a total prize fund of £230,000.
Gerwyn Price and His Territory
If you want to talk about history in Riesa, you have to mention one name: Gerwyn Price. No player has shaped this tournament quite like the Welshman. Four titles in the years 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 make “The Iceman” the undisputed record champion of the International Darts Open. In addition to another final appearance, he holds tournament records that are unique in their scope: the most 180s (100), the most matches played (32), the longest winning streak (12 consecutive wins), and the highest average in tournament history (115.74 points).
Recently, however, Price had to leave the field to others. Martin Schindler crowned himself in 2024 in front of a home crowd, becoming not only the first German winner in the tournament’s history but also capturing his first-ever European Tour title in Riesa. Last year, Stephen Bunting also claimed his first European Tour title and now returns as the defending champion.
The current 2026 European Tour season also shows that no title is safe. With Luke Littler, Wessel Nijman, Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price, and Josh Rock, six different players have already triumphed this year. The field of title favorites is more balanced than ever before.
Hopes in Black, Red, and Gold
Through the Host Nation Qualifier, four additional starting spots were awarded to Paul Krohne, Michael Unterbuchner, Liam Maendl-Lawrance, and Finn Behrens alongside the seeded German players. Martin Schindler, currently the strongest German on the European Tour, leads the hopes of the host nation. Positioned alongside him are his World Cup partner Ricardo Pietreczko and Niko Springer, who has climbed to 17th place on the European Tour Order of Merit this season following one quarter-final and three last-16 appearances.
Tickets for the ELTEN Safety Shoes International Darts Open are available HERE. Secure your seat to experience the spectacle live and up close.
