The PDC Tour continues to expand into new territories and strong crowds at recent World Series of Darts events in Poland have seen the country rewarded with a full European Tour event.
In 2026, the Poland Darts Open act as the European Tour 1 tournament and the majority of the top names are amongst the forty-eight player field.
Qualification for the first four European Tour events have been completed and this is the start of a busy period for players across all levels of the PDC Tour.
You would imagine that some of the Premier League participants will decide to limit the schedule around those nights, as well as the European Tour, UK Open and Players Championship events- we have already heard that Gerwyn Price will not be playing this weekend, while Michael van Gerwen's participation remains uncertain having missed Night 3 of the Premier League with an illness.
In saying that, there are plenty of top names heading to Krakow and those higher Ranked players will be receiving a Bye through to the Second Round, which is played across two sessions on Day 2.
On Friday, Day 1 begins with the entire First Round to be played across the two sessions and there are some quality players heading out trying to take their place alongside the elite of the Tour.
Ritchie Edhouse v Cameron Menzies: You don't want to dismiss some of the issues Cameron Menzies has been having away from the oche, but there is no doubt that they are affecting his performances right now.
One match has been won when playing at Players Championship 1, but Menzies has lost all four other matches he has played in those floor events. That makes it nine losses in the last ten played and Cameron Menzies has been struggling in his game, which is not an ideal place to be when facing Ritchie Edhouse.
Two years ago Ritchie Edhouse won the European Championship as a massive outsider and he has worked his way through Qualifying for a couple of the upcoming European Tour events.
Much more solid form has been produced at the Players Championship floor events and Edhouse can win this one as the slight favourite.
Luke Woodhouse to win & most 180s v Carl Sneyd: If he continues to develop as he has been, Luke Woodhouse is going to fancy winning a big title some time over the next ten months.
He had a strong 2025 and Luke Woodhouse has been producing plenty of wins on the floor.
The higher Ranked player is also a big maximum hitter, although he will have to have some respect for Carl Sneyd who has Qualified for the Poland Darts Open.
Carl Sneyd won his Tour card at Q-School, which is a tough field to negotiate, and he has shown his capabilities with a decent showing at Players Championship 2.
Early losses in Players Championship 3 and 4 this week and in European Tour 4 Qualifying will have dented some confidence and Luke Woodhouse may need around three maximums in any winning effort to get this double over the line.
Niels Zonneveld & Dave Chisnell double: Both of the favourites have been showing decent form on the floor and they may be able to work their way through to the Second Round at the Poland Darts Open.
Niels Zonneveld is facing a host Qualifier and should have a considerable edge in scoring.
It was a difficult 2025 for Dave Chisnell, but he has won seven matches across the last three Players Championships on the floor and that has to have given him some confidence. He has also had plenty of experience in these European Tour events and Chisnell is well liked in the tournaments played, which can aid him.
He is facing Darryl Pilgrim who had a really good Players Championship 3, but who has just suffered with some inconsistency around that.
Failing to Qualify for European Tour 3 and 4 this past week will also have been a potential dent in confidence for Darryl Pilgrim and he will need to find another level to beat Dave Chisnell, even if the latter is not at his peak level.
Wessel Nijman to win & most 180s v Thomas Lovely: The most consistent player on the floor early in the 2026 season is Wessel Nijman and the Dutchman will be hoping he can take that form onto the bigger events being played.
It did not quite happen for him at the World Masters, but Nijman should be able to get off to a strong start against Thomas Lovely in the Poland Darts Open.
Wessel Nijman beat him twice on the floor last year and Thomas Lovely has been struggling for some consistency, while unlikely to match the scoring power that the favourite can bring into this First Round match.
Krzysztof Ratajski & Joe Cullen double: Two relatively strong favourites should be able to get past a couple of Qualifiers in this First Round match.
Joe Cullen is facing a home Qualifier and has been playing well enough on the floor to believe he should have too much for Krzysztof Kciuk who did enough, but did not overly impress in his three wins.
We have seen Cullen struggle for consistency, but he has a 7-4 record in Players Championship games and there is a level he can find that should be too much for the home player.
Earlier in the Evening Session, Krzysztof Ratajski should be able to overcome Mickey Mansell for the second time this week.
With the home crowd behind the top Polish player on the Tour, Ratajski should be able to back up the victory in Players Championship 3 when he beat Mansell 6-2 and had a huge advantage in the three dart average.
MY PICKS: Ritchie Edhouse @ 1.95 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
Luke Woodhouse & Most 180s @ 1.95 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Niels Zonneveld & Dave Chisnell @ 2.15 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Wessel Nijman & Most 180s @ 1.80 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Krzysztof Ratajski & Joe Cullen @ 2.02 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Darts 2026: 8-14, - 4.05 Units (21 Units Staked, - 19.29% Yield)
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