Austrian Darts Open: PDC latest European Tour draw sheet and details originally appeared on Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The draw results for the upcoming PDC Austrian Darts Open have been announced. This is the twelfth edition of the event and Graz City Hall will host the event for the first time.
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As is standard at European Tour events, the PDC uses a substitute list. After Jonny Clayton decided to withdraw, Madas Razma was first in line and will face Dirk van Duijvenbode on Friday night.
Before the draw, some potential seeds chose not to compete. As a result, a host of star players will be missing: Luke Littler, Luke Humphreys, Stephen Bunting, Gwen Price, Gary Anderson and Nathan Aspinall. Including The Ferret, this means seven arrowsmiths have been added and subsequently awarded an additional £1,500 to start their activities on Saturday.
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Dutch youngster Gian van Veen is the highest-ranked player in the field. With the Luks absent from this trip to Austria, the reigning European champions have secured the top seed, awaiting compatriot Van Duijvenbod or call-up Razma.
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With Clayton not competing, the field was left with only two previous holders of the crown. Not surprisingly, one of them is Michael van Gerwen, a five-time champion. The other was Martin Schindler, who came to Graz as the defending champion of the event.
Assuming the Polish Eagles make it through the host nation’s qualifiers, MVG could face a dangerous opener against an in-form Krzysztof Ratajski. It’s a similar story for Schindi – either Peter Wright or Snakebite’s local rival, who will be decided on Thursday.
Wessel Nijman is probably the player most rivals are looking to avoid right now. So whichever variation of Nick’s name wins between Niko Springer and Nick Kenny, the expressionistic Dutchman is waiting for their reward.
Last year, Ross Smith came very close to winning the title, but was defeated by Schindler in the final. If Smager wants to do better this year, he must first harness Niels Zonneveld – something of a specialist on the European Tour this season – or the very capable James Hurrell.
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Along with the quality on display, there’s plenty of potential for fascinating conflict. However, due to mass withdrawals, unless Niemann wins – and, let’s face it, you wouldn’t bet big against that right now – there will be a new name added to the European Tour honors list in 2026.
The event begins at lunchtime on Friday with Ryan Joyce and Gabriel Clemens opening the show. As always, the first-round games will wrap up later that evening, and then the seeds will party on Saturday afternoon.
2026 PDC Austrian Darts Open – ET6
Graz, Austria (May 8-10)
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Round 1 – Friday 8th May (afternoon session)
Ryan Joyce v Gabrielle Clemens
Riccardo Petretsko v Patrick Kovac
Niels Zonneveld v James Herrell
Andrew Gilding v Host Country Qualifier 1
William O’Connor v Anton Ostlund
Krzysztof Ratajski v Host Country Qualifier 2
Nico Springer v Nick Kenny
Kevin Dodds v Chris Randleman
Round 1 – Friday 8th May (evening session)
Dave Chisnall v Crystal Reyes
Joe Cullen v Rob Owen
Karel Sedlacek v Kim Huybrechts
Peter Wright v Host Country Qualifier 3
Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Souttar
Cameron Menzies v Host Country Qualifier 4
Dirk van Duijvenbod v Madars Razma
Michael Smith v Ian White
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Round 2 – Saturday 9 May (afternoon session)
Jermaine Wattimena v Gilding / Host Country Qualifier 1
Mike Dedecker v Joyce/Clemens
Rob Cross v O’Connor/Ostlund
Ryan Sale v Doets/Landman
Ross Smith v Zonneveld/Hurrell
Damon Hutta v Chisnall/Reyes
Luke Woodhouse v Cullen/Owen
Chris Dobie v Sedlacek/Huybrechts
Round 2 – Saturday 9 May (evening session)
Darryl Gurney v M. Smith/White
Josh Locke v Pietreczko/Kovacs
James Wade v Menzies/Host Country Qualifier 4
Michael van Gerwen v Ratajski / Host Country Qualifier 2
Danny Noppert v Van Barneveld/Suttar
Gian van Veen v Van Duijvenbode / Razma
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Martin Schindler v Wright/Host Country Qualifier 3
Wessel Niemann v Springer/Kenny
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