The final European tournament of the year takes place in Dortmund as the PDC Tour looks to build momentum toward the World Championships.
The European Championships are just one of four remaining television tournaments, alongside the Grand Slam of Darts, the Players Championship finals, and the annual trip to Alexandra Palace.
The top 32 players from this year’s thirteen European tour events will collide for a final shot at European glory.
Here are five players to watch out for at the Dortmund event.
Peter Wright
‘Snakebite’ Peter Wright heads into the Germany event as defending champion after claiming the prize at last year’s event.
Wright has had an up-and-down 2024 but comes into the European Championships in decent form on the continent.
He’s seeded tenth at the event, helped by his triumph at the German Darts Championship in September.
The World No. 14 was in inspired form at the Hildesheim event, defeating Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Dave Chisnall to claim the title.
If Snakebite can find that form again, he’s got a big chance of going far in Dortmund. Wright plays Jermaine Wattimena in his opening-round clash.
Martin Schindler
Martin Schindler has been the story of the Euro Tour in 2024, heading into the European Championships the number one-seeded player ahead of Luke Humphries, Littler, and Dave Chisnall.
The Wall picked up the International Darts Open in April and the Swiss Darts Trophy in September, and reached the semi-finals in Germany and the Netherlands.
If Schindler can continue his rich vein of form on the continent, he has to be considered one of the favourites in Dortmund.
The World No. 21 kicks off his European Championship campaign against Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Luke Littler
Despite his bizarre struggles when the Sky cameras are watching, Littler has continued his remarkable debut year on the Euro Tour.
The Nuke claimed the top prize in Belgium and Austria and reached the final of the German Darts Championship.
The 17-year-old was in extraordinary form at the Czech Darts Open, producing the highest-ever average on the Euro Tour with 110.43, and thrashing van Gerwen despite the Dutchman throwing a 116.51 average.
No matter what darts Littler brings to Dortmund, he’s in with a chance to write yet more history.
Littler plays Andrew Gilding in round one of the event.
Josh Rock
Josh Rock has to be considered a dark horse for the event, considering the Irishman’s form on the tour this season.
The 23-year-old won the Dutch Darts Championship in May and reached three Players Championship finals, winning the 17th edition of the year with a win over Joe Cullen.
Rock has yet to set the world alight in a major tournament, but he has every chance to do well in Dortmund.
Rock opens his European Championships up against World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker.
Luke Humphries
Despite his dominance at major tournaments this season, Humphries has only managed to claim two of the 16 Euro Tour events this season.
Cool Hand won in Prague and Munich and comes into the tournament seeded number two behind Martin Schindler.
Humphries comes into every big tournament as the overwhelming favourite and this one is no different.
Humphries faces Nathan Aspinall in his opening-round match.