Darts: Luke Humphries withdraws from European Championship through illness as Kim Huybrechts steps in

Luke Humphries has withdrawn from the European Championship with gastroenteritis, handing Kim Huybrechts a late place in the Dortmund tournament.

The world No 2 had been due to face Ryan Searle on Thursday’s opening night. Huybrechts takes his place in the draw and will play Searle in the sixth match of the evening.

The PDC confirmed Humphries’ withdrawal through illness on Thursday, with Sky Sports reporting that he has been diagnosed with gastroenteritis.

Humphries reached last year’s final, where he lost to Gian van Veen, and had been set for his sixth successive appearance in the competition.

Why does Kim Huybrechts replace Luke Humphries?

Huybrechts receives the place as the highest-ranked player on the 2026 European Tour rankings who had not qualified.

The Belgian goes directly into Humphries’ position in the draw. Searle therefore still has a first-round match to win, with either Danny Noppert or Stephen Bunting awaiting the winner on Saturday.

Thursday’s session begins at 6pm UK time, but that is the start of the evening’s play rather than a scheduled start for Huybrechts against Searle. Their match follows the first five ties.

Defending champion Van Veen also plays on the opening night, against Andrew Gilding. Luke Littler begins his campaign against William O’Connor on Friday.

The European Championship runs from 22–25 October, with the first round split across Thursday and Friday before the second round on Saturday and the tournament’s conclusion on Sunday.

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