The 2026 UK Open will be an exciting event, bringing together the best players in the world for a showdown at Butlin's Minehead Resort from March 6-8. Defending champion Luke Littler, who secured his victory in the 2025 tournament with an impressive 11-2 win over James Wade, will look to defend his title. Meanwhile, Beau Greaves will face Darryl Pilgrim in a thrilling opening-round match. In addition to these exciting clashes, a total of 160 players will compete, including rising stars and seasoned champions, making it a must-watch event.
Rising Stars Take the Stage
Among the notable players in the 2026 UK Open are two young talents—16-year-old Kyle Gilding, who will face Sam Spivey, and 20-year-old Charlie Manby, who will play against Swiss No. 1, Stefan Bellmont. These emerging stars are sure to make a splash in this year’s competition, bringing fresh excitement to the stage.
As the tournament heats up, the challenge intensifies with former champions entering the event in the fourth round. Names like Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Danny Noppert, James Wade, Nathan Aspinall, Dimitri Van den Bergh, and Andrew Gilding will all be vying for the title once again. These players bring with them a wealth of experience and are favorites to make deep runs in the competition.
Beau Greaves, who made a strong debut in the UK Open last year by reaching the fourth round, will be looking to go even further this time around. Recently, she showcased her remarkable skills by hitting a nine-darter at Players Championship Six in Leicester. With her confidence on the rise, Greaves will be one of the exciting players to watch as she takes on Pilgrim in the first round.
Key Matches to Watch
Here are some of the key matchups in the opening rounds of the 2026 UK Open:
Friday, March 6 - Afternoon Session
Main Stage (12:00 GMT)
Round 1:
Stefan Bellmont vs Charlie Manby
Sam Spivey vs Kyle Gilding
Round 2:
Darryl Pilgrim vs Beau Greaves
Rupprecht/Walker vs Cam Crabtree
Round 3:
Karel Sedlacek vs Raymond van Barneveld
Ricky Evans vs Brendan Dolan
Stage 2 (11:00 GMT)
Round 1:
Pascal Rupprecht vs Jenson Walker
Aden Kirk vs Mervyn King
Michael Unterbuchner vs Rusty-Jake Rodriguez
Adam Leek vs David Sharp
Round 2:
Spivey/Gilding vs Max Hopp
Rupprecht/Walker/Crabtree vs Joe Cullen
Open Draws and Tournament Format
After the conclusion of round three on Friday afternoon, an open draw will take place live on the Main Stage for round four. This format adds an extra layer of excitement to the tournament as players will not know who they will face next. The open draw will continue for each subsequent round, ensuring that each match is unpredictable and full of surprises.
As the tournament progresses, it’s clear that the 2026 UK Open will be a battle of skill, strategy, and resilience. Whether it's defending champion Luke Littler trying to hold onto his title or new challengers like Greaves making a name for themselves, every session will be packed with tension and thrilling moments. Tune in to Sky Sports every Thursday to catch all the action leading up to the grand finale at The O2 in London on May 28.
With a star-studded lineup and high-stakes matches from the very beginning, the 2026 UK Open promises to be one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. The competition will be fierce, and fans can expect plenty of drama and surprises along the way. As the players prepare to take on each other, all eyes will be on the defending champion Luke Littler and rising star Beau Greaves. Who will emerge as the 2026 UK Open Champion? The battle is just beginning!
