Luke Humphries withdraws from European Championship with gastroenteritis

World number two Luke Humphries withdrew from the European Championship in Germany on 22 October 2026 because of gastroenteritis. The opening day in Dortmund also featured a televised nine-darter from Luke Woodhouse in the tournament's first round.

Humphries had won the PDC World Championship title in January 2024 and entered the event having recently won the World Grand Prix before reaching the final of the Swiss Darts Trophy, which he lost to Jonny Clayton. Kim Huybrechts replaced Humphries as he was the highest-ranked player from the 2026 European Tour rankings who had not qualified. Huybrechts capitalised on the late call-up with a 6-1 victory over Ryan Searle in Thursday's first round in Dortmund.

Huybrechts recorded six 180s and a 67% checkout success in that win and was drawn to meet Stephen Bunting in round two. Bunting had edged Danny Noppert 6-5, producing a 160 checkout in a deciding leg to secure his last-32 victory.

Luke Woodhouse produced the tournament's standout moment when he threw a nine-darter in a 6-3 win against Dirk van Duijvenbode. Woodhouse hit two 180s in the fourth leg and finished with a 141 for his first nine-darter on television. "It's my first one on a big stage," he said. "I tried to keep myself nice and calm. It was more about not letting him back into the game."

Woodhouse will meet Gian van Veen in the last 16 after the defending champion beat Andrew Gilding 6-4. Damon Heta won a deciding leg to beat James Wade 6-5 and set up a match against Ross Wilson, who made hard work of a 6-4 win against Karel Sedlacek. Gerwyn Price defeated Rob Cross 6-2 and will face Cameron Menzies, who beat Niels Zonneveld 6-3.

Other first-round results read: Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode Stephen Bunting 6-5 Danny Noppert Cameron Menzies 6-3 Niels Zonneveld Gerwyn Price 6-2 Rob Cross Damon Heta 6-5 James Wade Kim Huybrechts 6-1 Ryan Searle Gian van Veen 6-4 Andrew Gilding Ross Smith 6-4 Karel Sedlacek

Luke Woodhouse's last-16 meeting with Gian van Veen, Damon Heta's tie with Ross Wilson and Gerwyn Price's match against Cameron Menzies are scheduled next, while world number one and PDC world champion Luke Littler will begin his campaign on Friday against William O'Connor.