Ross Smith captured the Hungarian Darts Trophy in dominant fashion, dispatching Gary Anderson 8‑2 in the Sunday final to secure his second European Tour crown of the season. Smith posted a 101 average and hit 73% of his doubles, delivering a near‑perfect finish at the MVM Dome and leaving Anderson with no realistic chance of a comeback.
The veteran’s challenge evaporated early, and Smith added a fourth victory of the day to his tally. From the opening round, Smith set the benchmark for scoring control.
He opened his campaign with a 101 average against William O'Connor, punctuated by 116 and 112 checkouts that announced his intent. In the last‑16 he edged fourth seed Jonny Clayton 6‑4, then dismantled 2023 champion Dave Chisnall 6‑2 in the quarter‑finals, guaranteeing a first‑time winner would emerge from the event. His semi‑final against last year’s runner‑up Danny Noppert proved the most lopsided match of the weekend’s latter stages, as Smith cruised to a 7‑3 victory, preserving fresh legs for the showdown with Anderson. Anderson’s journey, although it ended in defeat, provided the narrative thread of the tournament.
The two‑time world champion arrived in Budapest without a European Tour title in 2026, yet he announced his presence with a 105.27 average in a 6‑2 demolition of Krzysztof Ratajski, ending the Pole’s bid for back‑to‑back European Tour trophies. What followed was a series of dramatic escapes.
After falling 3‑0 to Ratajski, Anderson rallied with eight 180s to edge eighth seed Stephen Bunting in a deciding leg. He repeated the feat against second seed Gian van Veen in a quarter‑final thriller, showcasing his resilience under pressure. In the semi‑final, Anderson produced what many called the tournament’s greatest match, outlasting Nathan Aspinall 7‑6 after surviving five match darts and delivering a stunning 160 checkout to stay alive. The final, however, proved too much for the Scottish veteran.
The championship match capped a day of upsets that began with Aspinall’s shock 6‑4 defeat of Michael van Gerwen in the last‑16. Aspinall had recovered from 3‑1 down in a tense doubles battle, ending the 2024 champion’s hopes of a second consecutive title. The previous day, top seed Luke Humphries and defending champion Niko Springer had both been eliminated, meaning the tournament’s two most recent winners failed to reach the final session. Aspinall’s path to the semi‑final was a study in perseverance.
Out‑averaged by Ryan Joyce in his opening round, he relied on five 180s and a high volume of double attempts to survive. His quarter‑final against Chris Dobey hinged on a 156 checkout, and he ultimately won a deciding leg to move forward. Dobey himself had staged comebacks, rallying from 4‑0 down to beat Tom Sykes in a Saturday decider and later sealing Sunday’s afternoon session with a 170 finish that helped him overcome sixth seed Josh Rock 6‑3.
Dirk van Duijvenbode snapped a nine‑match losing streak by beating Humphries on Saturday, becoming the first player into the quarter‑finals after a 6‑4 victory over Rob Cross, which halted the former world champion’s run of consecutive deciding‑leg escapes. Danny Noppert then stopped van Duijvenbode 6‑5. Springer’s title defence lasted a mere 14 minutes on Saturday, as he fell to Ryan Searle, who missed the bull for a 164 that would have forced a tie‑break.
With Humphries, Van Gerwen and Clayton also out by Sunday afternoon, Gian van Veen became the highest‑seeded player remaining until Anderson eliminated him. The tournament schedule highlighted the depth of the field. On Sunday, August 30, the final saw Ross Smith defeat Gary Anderson 8‑2. The semi‑finals featured Smith’s 7‑3 win over Noppert and Anderson’s 7‑6 triumph over Aspinall.
Earlier rounds produced notable results such as Danny Noppert edging Dirk van Duijvenbode 6‑5, Smith beating Dave Chisnall 6‑2, and Anderson surviving a 6‑5 battle with Gian van Veen. The round‑three matches included Dirk van Duijvenbode’s 6‑4 victory over Rob Cross and Ryan Searle’s 6‑4 win over Ross Smith, among others. Saturday, August 29, offered a packed afternoon session where Smith dispatched William O’Connor 6‑2, while Anderson posted a 6‑2 win over Ratajski. The evening session saw Stephen Bunting dominate Jonas Masalin 6‑1, Jonny Clayton beat Laszlo Kadar 6‑3, and Gian van Veen cruise past Nandor Major 6‑0.
Friday, August 28, kicked off the tournament with a busy first day. Highlights included Jonas Masalin’s 6‑4 victory over Kevin Doets, Andrew Gilding’s 6‑0 win over Milan Biro, and a 6‑3 triumph for Dave Chisnall over Cristo Reyes. The evening session featured Dirk van Duijvenbode’s 6‑1 demolition of David Pisek and a 6‑5 win for Daryl Gurney over Krzysztof Ratajski. The Hungarian Darts Trophy demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the European Tour, with several top seeds exiting early and lower‑ranked players stepping up.
Ross Smith’s flawless performance, combined with Gary Anderson’s heroic but ultimately insufficient comeback attempts, provided a compelling storyline that will be remembered throughout the season. Looking ahead, darts fans can anticipate the upcoming BoyleSports World Grand Prix, where World No 1 Luke Littler will defend his title.
The event runs from September 28 to October 4 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available for viewers who prefer contract‑free access.