The 2026 Hungarian Darts Trophy delivered a full slate of thrilling matches and historic moments, culminating in a decisive victory for Ross Smith over Gary Anderson in the championship final. The event, which took place over three days, showcased a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, with several notable upsets and a groundbreaking appearance by a female competitor. On the final day, Smith secured the title after a commanding performance that saw him overcome a series of tough opponents.
His path to the trophy began with a quarter‑final win over Dave Chisnall, followed by a semi‑final triumph against Danny Noppert. In the championship match, Smith displayed a high level of precision and composure, defeating Anderson 8‑2 to claim the trophy. Anderson, a former world champion, fought valiantly throughout the tournament but ultimately fell short in the final.
Earlier in the day, he had edged past Nathan Aspinall in a tightly contested semi‑final that went to a deciding leg, winning 7‑6. His run to the final included a dramatic quarter‑final victory over Gian van Veen, which he secured 6‑5 after a tense finish. The tournament also featured a series of surprising results.
World number two and top seed Luke Humphries, who entered the event as the favorite, was upset by Dirk van Duijvenbode in the Saturday afternoon round, losing 6‑3. Humphries' early exit opened the draw for other competitors. Later that same day, Michael van Gerwen, a multiple‑time world champion, was eliminated in the last‑16 stage, succumbing 6‑4 to Nathan Aspinall. One of the most historic moments of the weekend came on Friday when Beau Greaves made history as the first woman ever to compete in a European Tour event.
Greaves faced 2018 world champion Rob Cross in a tightly fought match that went the distance, ultimately losing 6‑5 in a deciding leg. Her performance demonstrated that female players can compete at the highest level and has been hailed as a milestone for the sport.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the key results from each session: **Sunday, 30 August – Evening Session (Final)** - Ross Smith 8‑2 Gary Anderson (Final) **Sunday, 30 August – Semi‑Finals** - Danny Noppert 3‑7 Ross Smith - Gary Anderson 7‑6 Nathan Aspinall **Sunday, 30 August – Quarter‑Finals** - Dirk van Duijvenbode 5‑6 Danny Noppert - Ross Smith 6‑2 Dave Chisnall - Gian van Veen 5‑6 Gary Anderson - Nathan Aspinall 6‑5 Chris Dobey **Sunday, 30 August – Afternoon Session (Round Three)** - Dirk van Duijvenbode 6‑4 Rob Cross - Ryan Searle 4‑6 Danny Noppert - Ross Smith 6‑4 Jonny Clayton - Dave Chisnall 6‑2 Keane Barry - Jermaine Wattimena 3‑6 Gian van Veen - Stephen Bunting 5‑6 Gary Anderson - Michael van Gerwen 4‑6 Nathan Aspinall - Chris Dobey 6‑3 Josh Rock **Saturday, 29 August – Round Two (Afternoon Session)** - Ross Smith 6‑2 William O'Connor - Wessel Nijman 2‑6 Dave Chisnall - Jermaine Wattimena 6‑4 Andrew Gilding - Danny Noppert 6‑4 Ritchie Edhouse - Ryan Searle 6‑4 Niko Springer - Luke Woodhouse 5‑6 Rob Cross - Gary Anderson 6‑2 Krzysztof Ratajski - Chris Dobey 6‑5 Tom Sykes **Saturday, 29 August – Evening Session** - Stephen Bunting 6‑1 Jonas Masalin - Jonny Clayton 6‑3 Laszlo Kadar - Madars Razma 2‑6 Keane Barry - Luke Humphries 3‑6 Dirk van Duijvenbode - Michael van Gerwen 6‑4 James Hurrell - Gian van Veen 6‑0 Nandor Major - Nathan Aspinall 6‑4 Ryan Joyce - Josh Rock 6‑0 Joe Cullen **Friday, 28 August – Round One (Afternoon Session)** - Kevin Doets 4‑6 Jonas Masalin - Andrew Gilding 6‑0 Milan Biro - Ritchie Edhouse 6‑1 Connor Scutt - Niko Springer 6‑1 Maik Kuivenhoven - William O'Connor 6‑2 Samuel Price - Martin Schindler 2‑6 Keane Barry - Ryan Joyce 6‑3 Cristo Reyes - Dave Chisnall 6‑3 Andras Borbely **Friday, 28 August – Evening Session** - Dirk van Duijvenbode 6‑1 David Pisek - Daryl Gurney 5‑6 Laszlo Kadar - Krzysztof Ratajski 6‑5 Callan Rydz - Joe Cullen 6‑3 Adam Leek - Rob Cross 6‑5 Beau Greaves - Niels Zonneveld 5‑6 Nandor Major - Cameron Menzies 1‑6 Tom Sykes - Damon Heta 5‑6 James Hurrell Beyond the match results, the tournament provided fans with multiple ways to stay connected. Darts coverage was available through the NOW streaming service, offering a contract‑free option for viewers. Additionally, Sky Sports continued its regular live darts broadcasts, and the event’s highlights were compiled into short video packages for quick consumption. For those interested in deeper analysis, the "Love the Darts" podcast released episodes discussing the performances and key moments from the Hungarian Darts Trophy.
Looking ahead, the next major event on the calendar is the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, scheduled for 28 September to 4 October. World number one Luke Littler will defend his title, and the competition promises to feature many of the same players who shone in Budapest. Fans can watch the Grand Prix live on Sky Sports, with streaming options also available for those who prefer online platforms. Overall, the 2026 Hungarian Darts Trophy will be remembered not only for Ross Smith’s impressive title run but also for the historic participation of Beau Greaves, the surprising early exits of top‑seeded players, and the high‑quality darts displayed throughout the three‑day event.