Luke Littler defends his Belgian Darts Open crown against Raymond van Barneveld or Boris Krcmar this weekend. The back-to-back world champion and world No. 1 returns to headline the tournament at the Oktoberhallen, where he’s won consecutively since 2024. Van Barneveld, a five-time world champion, makes his 2026 European Tour debut as he takes on Krcmar of Croatia in a high-stakes opening clash.

The draw features Premier League stars like Michael van Gerwen (vs. Michael Smith/Mickey Mansell) and James Wade (vs. Krzysztof Ratajski/Cristo Reyes). Luke Humphries, defending his Premier League title, faces Dirk van Duijvenbode or Lukas Wenig, while Jonny Clayton meets Wessel Nijman or Sebastian Bialecki. Replacements Ricky Evans, Mickey Mansell, and Ian White join after withdrawals, adding unpredictability to later rounds.

Saturday’s evening session sees Van Barneveld vs. Krcmar and Van Gerwen vs. Smith/Mansell as marquee matches. With 16 seeds and wildcards shaping the bracket, the field balances experience and emerging talent. The tournament’s structure—spanning three rounds and quarter-finals—offers a pathway for underdogs like host-nation qualifiers.

This event solidifies the Belgian Darts Open as a key European Tour stop, blending legacy acts and rising stars. Littler’s potential rematch with Van Barneveld, last met in 2023, could reignite their rivalry. Fans can stream all action via the Sky Sports app, with NOW offering instant access for non-Sky subscribers.