PREVIEW: Who will come out on top at the European Darts Championship 2024?

The 2024 European Championship is set to unfold from October 24 to October 27, hosted at the iconic Westfalenhalle in Dortmund, Germany. This prestigious event will showcase the top 32 players from the PDC European Tour Order of Merit, making it a pivotal tournament in the lead-up to the much-anticipated World Championships, which are now less than two months away.

This year's championship has several exciting storylines, including the European Championship debut of 17-year-old sensation Luke Littler. With a meteoric rise in 2024, Littler has already made his mark by winning titles like the Premier League, not to mention his epic run at the last World Championships. As he steps onto the European Championship stage for the first time, all eyes will be on how "The Nuke" handles the pressure against the sport's biggest names.

But Littler won’t be the only player vying for the title. Established stars like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and defending champion Peter Wright are also set to compete, with many eager to secure momentum ahead of the World Championships.

The European Championship is one of the key events on the PDC calendar, particularly in the final stretch of the year. Established in 2008, the tournament has become a staple of the European darts scene, offering a significant prize pool and the chance for players to cement their place among the elite. Held in Germany since its inception, the event has become a fan favorite, with the passionate German crowd adding to the electric atmosphere.

Historically, this tournament has been a battleground for the sport’s best, given the vast majority of the world’s best darts players come from Europe. Michael van Gerwen, who has won the championship four times, has been a dominant force, as was Phil Taylor, another four-time champion. However, the defending champion Peter Wright is also looking to extend his legacy with a third title. With only eight different winners across the tournament's history, the question arises, will 2024 see a new name added to this elite list?

The European Championship isn’t just a standalone event, it is the culmination of a year-long journey for the top 32 players on the PDC European Tour Order of Merit. The rankings are determined by players' performances across 13 Euro Tour tournaments held throughout 2024. This year, Luke Humphries has dominated the circuit, winning two European Tour titles, including the Czech Darts Open last week.

As the top seed, Humphries will be looking to maintain his form, especially after a masterful display in Prague, where he thrashed Kim Huybrechts 8-1 in the final. His high-level performances in the Czech Open, along with his runner-up finish at the World Grand Prix, mark him as one of the favourites heading into Dortmund. His form is so impressive that it’s easy to forget that the last 18 months have been something of a breakthrough period for the world number 1.

But the European Championship format offers no easy matches. The draw is based on the final Order of Merit positions, ensuring that even the highest-ranked players face tough competition from the start. In the first round, Humphries will take on Nathan Aspinall, and the man from Stockport is a talented player very capable of causing an upset. Littler, meanwhile, faces Andrew Gilding, a seasoned campaigner who will be looking to end the teenager's run before it can properly get started. Littler did of course defeat Gliding to reach the third of the World Darts Championship last December, and will hoping to replicate that form this weekend.

At just 17, Luke Littler has taken the darts world by storm. His performance in 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary, winning multiple titles and consistently competing at the highest level. In the Czech Darts Open last week, Littler displayed incredible maturity, defeating Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals with a stunning 6-1 win, despite the Dutchman averaging 112.19, one of the highest ever seen. Littler’s average of 110.57 and his 46% finishing rate demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure.

The European Championship will be another significant test for Littler, but if his recent performances are anything to go by, he has every chance of making a deep run. Facing Andrew Gilding in the first round, Littler will need to maintain his high standards to continue his rise.

Luke Humphries enters the European Championship as the top seed, and with good reason. He has won two European Tour titles this year, including his recent triumph at the Czech Darts Open. His consistency on the tour has been remarkable, and after losing in the final of the World Grand Prix to Mike de Decker earlier this month in an upset, Humphries will be hungry to make sure this doesn’t happen again. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ did off course thrash his Belgian rival over the weekend in Prague and will be looking to continue his strong form in Dortmund.

Humphries' opening-round match against Nathan Aspinall promises to be a challenging contest, but with the form he has shown this year, Humphries will be confident of making a strong push for the title.

Peter Wright’s European Championship victory in 2023 saw him claim his second title, defeating James Wade in a thrilling final in Dortmund. "Snakebite" has had an up-and-down year since then, but his pedigree in major tournaments is undeniable. With two World Championship titles to his name and countless other accolades, Wright knows how to perform on the big stage.

However, his road to a third European Championship title will not be easy. Wright faces Jermaine Wattimena in the first round, and with the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and Dave Chisnall also in the draw, Wright will need to be at his best to retain his crown.

Michael van Gerwen has been one of the most dominant players in the history of the European Championship, winning the title four times between 2014 and 2019. Although he has not won the title in recent years, "Mighty Mike" remains one of the most feared players on the tour. His ability to produce staggering averages, as seen in his incredible quarter-final defeat to Littler in Prague, means he is always a contender.

Van Gerwen opens his campaign against Gabriel Clemens, and the Dutchman will be keen to bounce back from his recent loss and add a fifth European Championship title to his collection.

The European Championship is a knockout tournament, with players competing in best-of-11-leg matches in the first round. From there, the format increases, with best-of-19-legs in the semi-finals and best-of-21-legs in the final. This format ensures plenty of drama and allows players to showcase their consistency as well as their skill. It’s all well and good producing a dominant display in the first round, but who can hold their nerve by the time the final rolls around?

The tournament was first held in 2008 at the Südbahnhof in Frankfurt, with Phil Taylor claiming the inaugural title. Since then, the prize fund has grown significantly, and the tournament has become a crucial event on the PDC calendar. With players fighting not just for the title but also for momentum ahead of the World Championships, the stakes are higher than ever.

As the darts world gears up for the 2024 World Championships in December, and the Grand Slam next month, the European Championship represents one of the last major opportunities for players to fine-tune their game and build confidence. With established stars like Luke Humphries, Peter Wright, and Michael van Gerwen all in the mix, alongside rising talents like Luke Littler, the tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

Whether a familiar name lifts the trophy or we see a new champion emerge, one thing is certain: the 2024 European Championship will play a key role in shaping the narrative for the rest of the year.