Jonny Clayton battles Karel Sedlacek at European Darts Open

Jonny Clayton opened his European Darts Open campaign on 11 July 2026, facing Czech qualifier Karel Sedlacek in the round‑two evening session at Leverkusen’s Ostermann‑Arena. The match was listed on the official schedule alongside Michael van Gerwen’s clash with Joe Cullen and James Wade’s tie with Maik Kuivenhoven.

The draw released on 10 July confirmed that Clayton would meet Sedlacek at 18:00 GMT on Saturday, 11 July. Both players entered the event as part of the 48‑player field battling for the £35,000 top prize. Sedlacek earned his place by winning his opening round 6‑1 against Michal Smejda, while Clayton’s first‑round opponent was Karel Sedlacek, who had edged past Ryan Joyce 6‑5 in the afternoon session.

Facing a qualifier early in the knockout stage can be a double‑edged sword. A smooth win would keep Clayton on track for a deep run, but an upset could see him exit alongside other big names like Nathan Aspinall, who defended his title against Mickey Mansell the same day. Clayton’s recent form has shown he can string together high‑checkout finishes, a skill that could prove decisive against Sedlacek’s steady scoring.

The European Darts Open is the 10th European Tour event of the 2026 season, featuring 48 competitors and a packed three‑day programme. Dutch stars Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen are also in action, with van Gerwen hunting his sixth Leverkusen title. James Wade, a former world champion, is slated to play Maik Kuivenhoven later that evening. Clayton’s match sits in the middle of a night that also includes a showdown between Stephen Bunting and Ryan Joyce.

Should Clayton prevail, he will advance to the round of 16 on Sunday, 12 July, when the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals are scheduled for the evening session. The tournament’s climax-the final-will be contested later that night, with the winner taking home the £35,000 prize and valuable ranking points. Clayton’s performance will also influence his seeding for the upcoming Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool, set to start on 18 July.

All matches, including Clayton’s bout with Sedlacek, are broadcast live on Sky Sports. Viewers without a Sky subscription can stream via the NOW platform. The European Darts Open offers a chance to see several top‑flight darts athletes in one venue, making it a must‑watch for fans of the sport.