Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Humphries withdraws from European Championship with gastroenteritis
Luke Humphries withdrew from the European Championship after being diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
The world number two was due to play in Dortmund, Germany, where he finished runner-up last year.
Under tournament rules, Belgian player Kim Huybrechts replaced him as the highest-ranked player who had not qualified.
Huybrechts drove to Dortmund after a late call-up and beat Ryan Searle 6-1 in the first round.
The tournament continues through Sunday, with its final scheduled for that evening.
Humphries had recently won the World Grand Prix and reached the Swiss Darts Trophy final, while his absence could improve Luke Littler's chances of winning the title he has yet to claim.
Luke Humphries withdrew from the 2026 European Championship in Dortmund after being diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
Belgian player Kim Huybrechts replaced him as the highest-ranked non-qualified player in the 2026 European Tour rankings.
Huybrechts beat Ryan Searle 6-1 in the first round after driving to Dortmund from Antwerp.
Humphries, the world number two, had been due to make his sixth appearance at the tournament.
He finished runner-up in the previous year’s championship.
- Who
- Luke Humphries withdrew; Kim Huybrechts replaced him.
- What
- Humphries pulled out of the European Championship because of gastroenteritis.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Dortmund, Germany.
- Why
- Humphries was diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Huybrechts received a phone call telling him he had been given a place in the tournament.
Huybrechts drove from Antwerp to Dortmund.
Huybrechts beat Ryan Searle 6-1 in the first round.
- Withdrawal reason
- Gastroenteritis
- Replacement
- Kim Huybrechts
- First-round result
- Huybrechts beat Ryan Searle 6-1
- Tournament venue
- Westfalenhallen, Dortmund
- Humphries' world ranking
- Number two
5 sources
Humphries withdraws from European Championship
Kim Huybrechts shrugs off six-hour round trip for European Championship win
Darts: Krankheits-Schock für Weltmeister Humphries!
Luke Humphries withdraws from European Championship Darts in Dortmund due to gastroenteritis
What people are saying
I got a phone call this morning, 9.30am, I think,
It's my first one on a big stage,