Beau Greaves is set to earn a coveted encounter with world number two and defending champion Luke Humphries, provided she can overcome Daryl Gurney in the opening round of the European Tour’s Czech Darts Open. The tournament, which will be staged at the PVA EXPO from September 4 to 6, promises a packed schedule and a series of high‑stakes match‑ups that could reshape the leaderboard.
Humphries entered the 2024 season by defeating Kim Huybrechts in the Czech Open final, and he successfully defended his title last year by beating Josh Rock. The Englishman now aims to secure a third straight victory at the event, a feat that would cement his dominance on the European circuit and boost his confidence heading into the autumn majors.
The opening day on Friday will feature sixteen first‑round matches split across a double‑session format. Among those fixtures, the rivalry between Gurney and Greaves will be rekindled on a major stage, mirroring their clash at the previous year’s World Darts Championship.
Greaves, who posted an impressive 104.88 average in a loss to Rob Cross on her European Tour debut, is eager to register a breakthrough win against Gurney. Their last meeting at Alexandra Palace was a five‑set thriller that saw Gurney emerge victorious, and the winner of that bout will advance to face Humphries on Saturday evening.
The tournament’s structure gives the top sixteen players on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder a bye into round two. World number one Luke Littler, who has not competed on a European Tour since his appearance at the Belgian Darts Open in March, will be making his return in Prague. Littler’s first‑round opponent will be either Niko Springer or Slovakian newcomer Martin Homola, while Dutch No. 1 Gian van Veen awaits the outcome of a match between Niels Zonneveld and Jeffrey de Graaf.
Veteran Michael van Gerwen could find himself in an all‑Dutch showdown if he draws Dirk van Duijvenbode, who is scheduled to play Mario Vandenbogaerde in the opening round. Meanwhile, Callan Rydz and Cristo Reyes will battle for the right to meet sixth seed Gerwyn Price, adding another layer of intrigue to the early stages of the competition. The Hungarian Darts Trophy champion Ross Smith is also in the mix, hoping to claim back‑to‑back European Tour titles.
He will open his campaign against either Joe Cullen or Stephen Burton, while Gary Anderson’s first‑round opponent could be World Cup partner Cameron Menzies or Sweden’s Johan Engström. These match‑ups illustrate the depth of talent present in the field and underscore how any given day can produce surprising results.
After the conclusion of Saturday’s play, the tournament will move into the last‑16 stage on Sunday afternoon. The quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and final will then be contested in a marquee evening session, providing fans with a climax of high‑quality darts.
All sessions will be broadcast live, with the recommendation to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience. Schedule details are as follows: - Round One – Afternoon Session: 13:00 local time (12:00 BST) - Round One – Evening Session: 19:00 local time (18:00 BST) - Round Two – Afternoon Session: 13:00 local time (12:00 BST) - Round Two – Evening Session: 19:00 local time (18:00 BST) - Round Three (Best of 11 legs) – Afternoon Session: 13:00 local time (12:00 BST) - Round Three – Evening Session: 19:00 local time (18:00 BST) - Quarter‑Finals (Best of 11 legs) – Evening Session - Semi‑Finals (Best of 13 legs) – Evening Session - Final (Best of 15 legs) – Evening Session Players are seeded according to their PDC ranking positions, ensuring that the draw reflects the current hierarchy within the sport.
Sky Sports continues to serve as the primary broadcaster for darts in 2026, delivering live coverage of the World Grand Prix (28 September – 4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14 – 22 November), and the World Darts Championship (10 December – 3 January). Fans can also stream the action and other top‑tier sports without a contractual commitment, while highlights, podcasts such as "Love the Darts," and additional video content remain readily available.
In summary, the Czech Darts Open presents a compelling narrative: a rising star in Beau Greaves looking to topple a seasoned champion in Daryl Gurney, a defending champion in Luke Humphries aiming for a third consecutive title, and the return of Luke Littler to the European Tour spotlight. With a field packed with former world champions, emerging talents, and seasoned veterans, the tournament promises drama, high scores, and moments that could shape the remainder of the season.
Whether you are a casual viewer or a dedicated darts enthusiast, the event offers a rich tapestry of competition that is not to be missed.