Humphries withdraws from European Championship

Luke Humphries has withdrawn from the 2026 European Championship after being diagnosed with gastroenteritis.The world No 2 was set to make his sixth appearance in Dortmund, having finished as runner-up last year. Under PDC rules, Humphries will be directly replaced in the field by Kim Huybrechts, the highest-ranked non-qualified player in the 2026 European Tour rankings. Belgium's Huybrechts will now take on Ryan Searle on Thursday evening, with the winner set to face Danny Noppert or Stephen Bunting on Saturday.Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results 📅Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW 📺World No 1 Luke Littler will face William O'Connor in his European Championship opener, while Gian van Veen will start his title defence against Andrew Gilding. After first round contests on Thursday and Friday, Saturday's action will see eight round-two ties played across the afternoon and evening sessions, before the quarter-finals take place on Sunday afternoon ahead of the semi-finals and final on Sunday evening. The action gets under way at Dortmund's Westfalenhallen on Thursday, with a top prize of £150,000 up for grabs on Sunday October 25.2026 Machineseeker European ChampionshipThursday October 22 (6pm)Round One x8Luke Woodhouse vs Dirk van DuijvenbodeDanny Noppert vs Stephen BuntingNiels Zonneveld vs Cameron MenziesGerwyn Price vs Rob CrossJames Wade vs Damon HetaKim Huybrechts vs Ryan SearleGian van Veen vs Andrew GildingRoss Smith vs Karel SedlacekFriday October 23 (6pm)Round One x8Ryan Joyce vs Jermaine WattimenaKrzysztof Ratajski vs Dave ChisnallNathan Aspinall vs Cristo ReyesJonny Clayton vs Niko SpringerLuke Littler vs William O'ConnorWessel Nijman vs Martin SchindlerKevin Doets vs Michael van GerwenJosh Rock vs Chris DobeySaturday October 24Afternoon Session (12pm)Round Two x4 - order of games TBCSmith/Sedlacek vs Wade/HetaVan Veen/Gilding vs Woodhouse/Van DuijvenbodeZonneveld/Menzies vs Price/CrossNoppert/Bunting vs Huybrechts/SearleEvening Session (6pm)Round Two x4 - order of games TBCNijman/Schindler vs Joyce/WattimenaClayton/Springer vs Rock/DobeyRatajski/Chisnall vs Doets/Van GerwenAspinall/Reyes vs Littler/O'ConnorSunday October 25 - PLEASE NOTE CLOCKS GO BACK OVERNIGHTAfternoon Session (12pm)Quarter-FinalsEvening Session (6pm)Semi-FinalsFinalSky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.