European Darts Championship 2022 Draw | Cross to face Wade in Dortmund opener
The draw for the 2022 European Darts Championship has been confirmed, with reigning champion Rob Cross facing former champion James Wade.
This year’s European Championship takes place at the Westfalenhallen in Dortmund from October 27-30 and features a total prize fund of £500,000.
The field is comprised of the top 32 players from the European Order of Merit following the 13 European Tour events held during the season.
Cross claimed the title for the second time 12 months ago and will kick off his campaign against 2018 champion Wade in one of the stand-out ties of the opening round.
Luke Humphries is the number one seed, having racked up four Euro Tour titles in 2022, and will take on Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski – who held on to the 32nd and final qualification spot.
Four-time champion Michael van Gerwen meets Chris Dobey in a repeat of their recent World Grand Prix Quarter-Final, while world number one Peter Wright meets debutant Ryan Meikle.
Gerwyn Price, the 2019 runner-up, will start out against Austrian ace Rowby-John Rodriguez, while World Grand Prix runner-up Nathan Aspinall faces exciting Northern Irish newcomer Josh Rock.
Gibraltar Darts Trophy champion Damon Heta plays Vincent van der Voort, as world number seven Jonny Clayton meets German number one Gabriel Clemens.
Two former major champions collide as Dimitri Van den Bergh hosts Daryl Gurney, while multiple major finalist Michael Smith takes on Czech star Karel Sedlacek.
Joe Cullen, the Hungarian Trophy champion, opens up against Ross Smith, as Players Championship Finals runner-up Ryan Searle faces debutant Martin Lukeman – runner-up in this year’s German Darts Grand Prix.
The full schedule of play will be confirmed in due course.
European Darts Championship 2022 Draw
First Round
Luke Humphries (1) v Krzysztof Ratajski (32)
Ryan Searle (16) v Martin Lukeman (17)
Michael Smith (8) v Karel Sedlacek (25)
Nathan Aspinall (9) v Josh Rock (24)
Rob Cross (4) v James Wade (29)
Dirk van Duijvenbode (13) v Madars Razma (20)
Damon Heta (5) v Vincent van der Voort (28)
Danny Noppert (12) v Andrew Gilding (21)
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Chris Dobey (31)
Jose de Sousa (15) v Martin Schindler (18)
Dave Chisnall (7) v Stephen Bunting (26)
Jonny Clayton (10) v Gabriel Clemens (23)
Peter Wright (3) v Ryan Meikle (30)
Gerwyn Price (14) v Rowby-John Rodriguez (19)
Joe Cullen (6) v Ross Smith (27)
Dimitri Van den Bergh (11) v Daryl Gurney (22)
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