Humphries withdraws from European Championship with stomach illness

World number 2 Luke Humphries has withdrawn from the 2026 European Championship after being diagnosed with gastroenteritis. The English player finished runner-up in the tournament last year and was due to appear in Dortmund for the sixth time.

Under PDC rules, Humphries' place has been taken by Kim Huybrechts, the highest-ranked player on the 2026 European Tour rankings who had not qualified for the tournament. The Belgian Huybrechts will face Ryan Searle in the first round on Thursday evening. The winner will play the winner of the match between Danny Noppert and Stephen Bunting on Saturday.

World number 1 Luke Littler will take the stage on Friday against William O'Connor in the first round. Last year's champion Gian van Veen will begin the defence of his title against Andrew Gilding.

The first-round matches will be played on Thursday and Friday. Eight second-round matches will be played in the afternoon and evening sessions on Saturday. The quarter-finals will be played on Sunday afternoon, and the semi-finals and the final on Sunday evening. The tournament will begin on Thursday, 22 October at the Westfalenhallen in Dortmund and will end on Sunday, 25 October. The champion will receive £150,000.