Beau Greaves is set to earn the chance to confront world number two and defending champion Luke Humphries, provided she can overcome Daryl Gurney in the first round of the European Tour stop in Prague, the Czech Darts Open. Humphries, who captured the 2024 title by beating Kim Huybrechts and then defended his crown last year with a victory over Josh Rock, is now eyeing a third straight triumph at the PVA EXPO, which runs from September 4 to September 6. The opening day on Friday will feature a packed double‑session of 16 matches, and among them the long‑standing rivalry between Gurney and Greaves will be rekindled on a major stage. Their meeting mirrors the dramatic showdown they enjoyed at the previous year’s World Darts Championship, where Gurney edged Greaves in a five‑set thriller at the iconic Alexandra Palace.
This time, Greaves hopes to reverse the result, especially after posting an impressive 104.88 average in her European Tour debut against Rob Cross just a week earlier. A win over Gurney would not only be a personal milestone for Greaves but also secure a Saturday evening clash with Humphries. The tournament structure rewards the top 16 players on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder with a bye into round two. Among those awaiting their first‑round opponents is world number one Luke Littler, who returns to the European Tour for his first appearance since the Belgian Darts Open in March.
Littler will open his campaign against either Slovakia’s rising star Martin Homola or Germany’s Niko Springer, while Dutch number one Gian van Veen will be poised to meet the winner of a match between Niels Zonneveld and Jeffrey de Graaf. Veteran Michael van Gerwen could find himself in an all‑Dutch encounter if he draws Dirk van Duijvenbode, who himself faces Mario Vandenbogaerde in the opening round. Meanwhile, Callan Rydz and Cristo Reyes will battle for the right to take on sixth seed Gerwyn Price later in the day. The event also offers a platform for other notable competitors.
Hungarian Darts Trophy champion Ross Smith is aiming for back‑to‑back European Tour titles and will start his quest against either Joe Cullen or Stephen Burton. Gary Anderson, another former world champion, may meet his World Cup teammate Cameron Menzies or Sweden’s Johan Engström, depending on the draw. After Friday’s action, the tournament will move into the round of 16 on Saturday, with the survivors from the first day joining the seeded players who entered at round two. The competition will then progress to the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and the final on Sunday evening, each stage featuring longer formats: best of 11 legs for the early rounds, best of 13 for the semi‑finals, and best of 15 for the championship match.
Match times are listed in both local Czech time and British Summer Time for the benefit of international fans. The afternoon session begins at 13:00 local time (12:00 BST) and the evening session at 19:00 local time (18:00 BST) for each day of play. Spectators are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience, as the streaming platform has been optimised for that browser. Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts in 2026, covering the major events that follow the Czech Open.
The network will air the World Grand Prix from September 28 to October 4, the Grand Slam of Darts from November 14 to November 22, and the World Darts Championship from December 10 through January 3. Fans can also stream darts and a variety of other top‑level sports without a contract through the provider’s on‑demand service. Beyond the immediate matchups, the Czech Darts Open offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of professional darts. Young talents like Luke Littler and Martin Homola are beginning to challenge established stars, while seasoned veterans such as Humphries, van Gerwen, and Anderson demonstrate that experience still carries significant weight.
The tournament’s format, which blends rapid‑fire early rounds with longer, more strategic later stages, tests both precision and stamina, rewarding players who can adapt their game plan on the fly. For viewers, the event promises a blend of high‑octane finishes, strategic battles, and the occasional upset that keeps the sport unpredictable.
Whether you are a casual fan tuning in for the big names or a dedicated follower tracking the rise of new contenders, the Czech Darts Open delivers a comprehensive showcase of the sport’s best talent. In summary, Beau Greaves’ path to a potential showdown with Luke Humphries hinges on a victory over Daryl Gurney, a match that could rewrite recent history between the two. Meanwhile, the return of Luke Littler and the participation of other top‑ranked players set the stage for a compelling tournament that will shape the European Tour narrative for the remainder of the season.