Martin Schindler will begin his defence of the Austrian Darts Open against Peter Wright or a Host Nation representative, with the draw and schedule for this weekend’s event now confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sixth European Tour event of 2026 will see a 48-player field competing for the \u00a335,000 top prize in Graz starting today May 8-10, with Dutch duo Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen also amongst the stars in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Friday’s opening round will feature 16 matches across the day, as former World Champions Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld and Wright headline an action-packed double session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
St Helens star Smith faces three-time European Tour event winner Ian White in his opener, while Van Barneveld has been pitted against Scottish star Alan Soutar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wright will face Austrian opposition for a place in round two, as Dave Chisnall – a winner of eight European Tour titles – goes up against Spain’s Cristo Reyes in another eye-catching tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dirk van Duijvenbode and Latvia’s number one Madars Razma will also do battle, as Czechia’s premier player Karel Sedlacek meets a resurgent Kim Huybrechts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kevin Doets – fresh from claiming his maiden PDC ranking title on Monday – plays Chris Landman in an all-Dutch affair, with Ryan Joyce set to take on Germany’s Gabriel Clemens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The top 16 players on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder then enter the fray in round two on Saturday, as European Champion Van Veen begins his title bid against Van Duijvenbode or Razma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen will play either Poland’s number one Krzysztof Ratajski or a Host Nation representative, with Cameron Menzies potentially awaiting third seed James Wade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ricardo Pietreczko and Patrik Kovacs do battle for the right to take on fourth seed Josh Rock, while Dutch number three Danny Noppert will play either his fellow countryman Van Barneveld or Soutar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle is guaranteed Dutch opposition in the form of Doets or Landman, as former Masters champion Chris Dobey sets his sights on a showdown against Sedlacek or Huybrechts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reigning champion Schindler faces a possible clash against two-time World Champion Wright, while Australian number one Damon Heta awaits Chisnall or Reyes in round two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wessel Nijman – a winner of six PDC ranking titles in 2026 – embarks on his latest challenge against German star Niko Springer or Nick Kenny, who lock horns in Friday’s afternoon session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rob Cross will also be amongst the seeded representatives in Graz, and the former World Champion kicks off his campaign against William O’Connor or Swedish qualifier Anton Ostlund.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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