Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen headline the 2026 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Trophy in Goettingen, Germany, starting Friday. The tournament features top players including Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen, with a £35,000 prize for the winner. The event runs from March 13-15, with the final scheduled for Sunday.

Notably absent are Luke Littler, who withdrew after facing hostile crowds in Germany, along with Nathan Aspinall, Gary Anderson, and James Wade. Littler, 19, recently won the UK Open for the second consecutive year but has had negative experiences at German tournaments, including being booed at events in Berlin and Munich. He withdrew from last year's European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen.

The tournament features a comprehensive schedule with 32 players competing across three days. The first round includes matches like Andrew Gilding versus Darius Labanauskas and Michael van Gerwen against Niels Zonneveld. The event serves as a major stop on the darts calendar, drawing significant attention from fans and players alike.