Chris Dobey triumphs at Sachsen Darts Gala in Leipzig during exhibition also featuring Van Veen, Aspinall, Schindler and Springer

The Sachsen Darts Gala put Leipzig back on the darts map after more than a decade. Around 4,000 spectators created a lively atmosphere on Saturday evening at the Quarterback Immobilien Arena and enjoyed an entertaining night with international stars – a clear success both on stage and in the stands.

Amid the fan festivities, the darts itself took center stage. In a mini-tournament format, the invited pros showcased their class and produced numerous highlights. Regular 180s drew loud roars from the crowd, while the home audience gave especially vocal backing to the German contenders.

Gian van Veen started the evening as the favorite, but as the tournament progressed, others took on the leading roles. German hopefuls Martin Schindler and Niko Springer bowed out in the semifinals, yet still received a rousing reception from the Leipzig crowd.

The final produced an all-British showdown. Chris Dobey, the current world number 13, edged Jonny Clayton 4-3. The last leg delivered a special moment: at 3-3, both players swapped darts – much to the delight of a crowd that fully embraced the evening’s showpiece vibe.

After sealing the win, Dobey spoke enthusiastically about performing in Leipzig. He said he couldn’t imagine a better place for his first Gala title, stressing the point after the match. Nathan Aspinall, one of the crowd favorites, also praised the atmosphere and even called the German fans the best in the world.

After Wetzlar and Frankfurt, the Leipzig Darts Gala was already the third stop on this year’s PDC Europe Gala series. While these events carry no ranking or competitive stakes, many top players use the evenings deliberately to gain stage sharpness and connect with the fans.

In 2026, PDC Europe will continue its Gala tour. Following the successful stop in Leipzig, fans can look forward to events at the Nürburgring, in Neu-Ulm, Bamberg, Magdeburg, Mannheim, Hildesheim, Bremen, Jena, Cologne, as well as a double-header in Lingen.