Martin Schindler will begin his defence of the Elten Safety Shoes Austrian Darts Open against Peter Wright or a Host Nation representative.
The sixth European Tour event of 2026 will see a 48-player field competing for the £35,000 top prize in Graz from May 8-10, with Dutch duo Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen also among the stars in action.
Friday’s opening round will feature 16 matches across the day as former world champions Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld and Wright headline an action-packed double session.
St Helens star Smith faces three-time European Tour event winner Ian White in his opener while Van Barneveld has been pitted against Scottish star Alan Soutar.
Wright will face Austrian opposition for a place in round two as Dave Chisnall, a winner of eight European Tour titles, goes up against Spain’s Cristo Reyes.
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Gian van Veen beat Jonny Clayton in style on Night 13 of the Premier League in Aberdeen
The top 16 players on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder enter the fray in round two on Saturday as European champion Van Veen begins his title bid against Dirk van Duijvenbode or Madars Razma.
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen will play either Poland’s No 1 Krzysztof Ratajski or a host nation representative, with Cameron Menzies potentially awaiting third seed James Wade.
Ricardo Pietreczko and Patrik Kovacs do battle for the right to take on fourth seed Josh Rock while Dutch No 3 Danny Noppert will play either his fellow countryman Van Barneveld or Soutar.
World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle is guaranteed Dutch opposition in the form of Kevin Doets or Chris Landman, as former Masters champion Chris Dobey sets his sights on a showdown against Karel Sedlacek or Kim Huybrechts.
Reigning champion Schindler faces a possible match against two-time world champion Wright, while Australian No 1 Damon Heta awaits Dave Chisnall or Cristo Reyes in round two.
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Wessel Nijman had a moment to forget as he had back-to-back bounce-outs in one visit as he lost to Dutch compatriot Kevin Doets in the Players Championship 3. Credit: OfficialPDC
Wessel Nijman, a winner of six PDC ranking titles in 2026, embarks on his latest challenge against German star Niko Springer or Nick Kenny, who lock horns in Friday’s afternoon session.
Rob Cross will also be among the seeded representatives in Graz and the former world champion kicks off his campaign against Ireland’s William O’Connor or Swedish qualifier Anton Ostlund.
Following the conclusion of round two, the last 16 return to the stage on Sunday afternoon, before the tournament reaches its climax with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in the evening session.
2026 Elten Safety Shoes Austrian Darts Open
Tournament Draw Bracket – Second Round Onwards
Players seeded based on PDC Ranking position
(6) Ryan Searle v Kevin Doets/Chris Landman
(11) Mike De Decker v Ryan Joyce/Gabriel Clemens
(3) James Wade v Cameron Menzies/HNQ4
(14) Luke Woodhouse v Joe Cullen/Rob Owen
(7) Chris Dobey v Karel Sedlacek/Kim Huybrechts
(10) Jermaine Wattimena v Andrew Gilding/HNQ1
(2) Michael van Gerwen v Krzysztof Ratajski/HNQ2
(15) Rob Cross v William O’Connor/Anton Ostlund
(5) Danny Noppert v Raymond van Barneveld/Alan Soutar
(12) Damon Heta v Dave Chisnall/Cristo Reyes
(4) Josh Rock v Ricardo Pietreczko/Patrik Kovacs
(13) Wessel Nijman v Niko Springer/Nick Kenny
(8) Ross Smith v Niels Zonneveld/James Hurrell
(9) Martin Schindler v Peter Wright/HNQ3
(1) Gian van Veen v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Madars Razma
(16) Daryl Gurney v Michael Smith/Ian White
Schedule
Friday May 8
Round One
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Ryan Joyce v Gabriel Clemens
Ricardo Pietreczko v Patrik Kovacs
Niels Zonneveld v James Hurrell
Andrew Gilding v Host Nation Qualifier 1
William O’Connor v Anton Ostlund
Krzysztof Ratajski v Host Nation Qualifier 2
Niko Springer v Nick Kenny
Kevin Doets v Chris Landman
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Dave Chisnall v Cristo Reyes
Joe Cullen v Rob Owen
Karel Sedlacek v Kim Huybrechts
Peter Wright v Host Nation Qualifier 3
Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Soutar
Cameron Menzies v Host Nation Qualifier 4
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Madars Razma
Michael Smith v Ian White
Saturday May 9
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Jermaine Wattimena v Gilding/HNQ1
Mike De Decker v Joyce/Clemens
Rob Cross v O’Connor/Ostlund
Ryan Searle v Doets/Landman
Ross Smith v Zonneveld/Hurrell
Damon Heta v Chisnall/Reyes
Luke Woodhouse v Cullen/Owen
Chris Dobey v Sedlacek/Huybrechts
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Daryl Gurney v M Smith/White
Josh Rock v Pietreczko/Kovacs
James Wade v Menzies/HNQ4
Michael van Gerwen v Ratajski/HNQ2
Danny Noppert v Van Barneveld/Soutar
Gian van Veen v Van Duijvenbode/Razma
Martin Schindler v Wright/HNQ3
Wessel Nijman v Springer/Kenny
Sunday May 10
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Round Three
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
