The tenth ranking event of the 2026 season, the European Darts Trophy, has highlighted a clear divide in the PDC title race. Wessel Nijman claimed the trophy with an 8-3 victory over Gerwyn Price in the final, making him only the second player this season to secure multiple ranking wins. The other is Luke Littler, who remains the standout attraction with three titles already.
Littler leads the pack convincingly, having won the Winmau World Masters, the UK Open, and the Poland Darts Open. His consistency has solidified his status as world number one. Meanwhile, Nijman's European Darts Trophy triumph adds to his earlier victory at the second Players Championship, showcasing his growth and ability to close out tournaments, positioning him as a serious contender for the rest of the season.
Behind these two, a broad group of established names has each managed a single title so far. This includes Chris Dobey, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, Ross Smith, and James Wade. The fact that none of these experienced players has added a second title underscores the fierce competition and erratic nature of the season. The balance after ten tournaments shows Littler with a small lead, Nijman as the first pursuer, and a wide-open field behind them.
With much of the season still to come, the battle promises to be thrilling. Players have another chance at a ranking title next weekend at the Belgian Darts Open in Wieze, the third event of the PDC European Tour 2026. Luke Littler starts as the title favorite, having won last year's final 8-5 against home favorite Mike De Decker. The current form appears more critical than ever in this competitive landscape.
