Preview German Darts Open: Which outsider benefits from cancellations of top favourites?

This weekend the German Darts Open is on the program. The Sparkassen-Arena in Jena, Germany, will host the 11th Euro Tour tournament of the season from September 8 to 10.

Who is competing in the German Darts Open?

The field of participants for the German Darts Open consists of 48 players. First of all, you have the top-16 of the placement list. That includes players such as Dirk van Duijvenbode, Danny Noppert, Luke Humphries, Dave Chisnall, Josh Rock, Rob Cross, Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall.

In addition, Gabriel Clemens and Ricardo Pietreczko were also added to the lineup as home players. The remaining thirty spots were distributed through various qualifying tournaments. Among others James Wade, Simon Whitlock, Gian van Veen, Stephen Bunting, Daryl Gurney, Ricky Evans, Jules van Dongen, Jeffrey de Graaf, Wesley Plaisier and Roy van de Griendt qualified for this Euro Tour tournament.

However, there are also a lot of cancellations. Big names such as Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton have all failed to register for the German Darts Open. So there are opportunities for players who are normally among the outsiders.

Where can I watch the German Darts Open live?

The German Darts Open takes place this weekend, with the European Tour returning after a short hiatus scheduled between Friday 8 September - Sunday 10 September.

UK subscribers receive who pay for PDCTV will receive it as part of their subscription. It is also shown on Viaplay including at times their Viaplay Xtra TV channel for free in the UK.

How much prize money is to be won?

During each Euro Tour tournament, £175,000 in prize money is distributed. All qualifiers are guaranteed £1,250, while the top 16 players on the placement list at the German Darts Open will receive £2,500 anyway. However, these 16 players must win their first game in the second round for the prize money to actually count toward the world rankings and other rankings.

Per victory, the prize money earned increases. For example, the finalists already receive a minimum of £12,000. The winner of the tournament goes home with the top prize of 30,000 pounds.

Important tournament leading up to World Grand Prix

The German Darts Open is one of the last two tournaments that count in the qualifying race for the World Grand Prix in October. For some players, this event is the last chance to scoop prize money as they did not qualify for the Hungarian Darts Trophy (Sept. 22-24).

The differences are especially small around the sixteenth spot on the cleaned Pro Tour Order of Merit. It looks like Ricardo Pietreczko, Gian van Veen and Luke Woodhouse will decide among themselves who will run away with the last starting spot. Should more darters below the line do particularly well, Callan Rydz also seems to have to fear for his spot.