European Championship Darts Race Heats Up as Bunting Chases Cullen on the Bubble

The race to Dortmund is entering its final, frantic sprint. Following the conclusion of the Czech Darts Open in Prague on September 6, 2026, the European Tour Order of Merit has undergone a seismic shift, leaving several of the sport's biggest names scrambling to secure their spots in the European Championship.[1][2]

The stakes are straightforward but brutal: only the top 32 players on the European Tour rankings after the 15-event season will qualify for the prestigious October 22-25 major in Dortmund, Germany. With just three tournaments remaining—starting with the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp from September 11-13—the cut line has become a high-pressure battleground.[2][3]

At the center of the drama is the fight for the 32nd and final provisional spot, currently held by Joe Cullen. "The Rockstar" sits on £29,500, precariously perched just £1,500 ahead of Stephen Bunting. Bunting, despite a strong overall season, remains stranded in 33rd place on £28,000 and desperately needs a deep run in Belgium to leapfrog Cullen.[1][2]

The danger zone extends further up the ladder. James Wade, who missed the recent events in Budapest and Prague, clings to 31st place with £31,000. Just above him, Kim Huybrechts (£32,500) and Dave Chisnall (£33,500) are far from safe. One early exit in Antwerp or Basel could see them dragged below the cut line by the chasing pack.[1][3]

While veterans sweat the cut, Luke Littler has emphatically removed his name from the bubble conversation. The world number one arrived in Prague sitting in 20th place with £40,000, needing a solid weekend to guarantee his Dortmund ticket. He did far more than that, defeating Luke Humphries 8-6 in the final.[1][4]

By pocketing the £35,000 top prize in the Czech capital, Littler rocketed 16 places up the standings. He now sits comfortably in fourth place with £75,000. "I think I've secured my place in Dortmund - Dortmund is the one I'm chasing," Littler noted following his victory, signaling his intent for the autumn majors.[1]

At the very top of the rankings, Ross Smith remains the man to catch. Bolstered by his recent Hungarian Darts Trophy victory, Smith leads the pack with £133,000, holding a £22,000 advantage over second-placed Wessel Nijman. Krzysztof Ratajski sits in third with £84,500.[1][6]

For several established stars, the road to Dortmund looks increasingly steep. Former World Champion Michael Smith languishes in 35th place on £22,000, tied with Daryl Gurney in 36th. Gary Anderson, despite showing flashes of brilliance in recent weeks, is 41st on £15,000 and likely needs a tournament victory to gatecrash the top 32.[1][3]

Even history-makers are mathematically alive, though the odds are long. Beau Greaves, who became the first woman to win a PDC European Tour match in Prague, climbed six spots to 62nd. While her £7,500 total leaves a massive gap to the top 32, her continued presence on the tour adds another layer of unpredictability to the remaining draws.[1][4]

The stakes will only amplify when the tour hits Antwerp this weekend. For players like Bunting, Cullen, and Wade, every leg won is a step closer to Dortmund, and every missed double could mean watching the European Championship from home.[1][5]