Ross Smith sealed the Hungarian Darts Trophy on Sunday evening in emphatic fashion, overpowering Gary Anderson 8-2 in the Budapest final to claim his second European Tour title of 2026. The 37-year-old Englishman was left in disbelief afterwards, saying: “I feel a bit in disbelief in a way because I was coming here on the back of two losses in the World Series.” A few days later he was lifting the trophy inside the MVM Dome, where nearly 6,000 darts fans set a new attendance record for a European Tour event.
Smith opened with a convincing 6-2 win over William O'Connor, averaging over a ton. He then dispatched Jonny Clayton 6-4 on Sunday afternoon, pinning 60 percent of his doubles in that match. The former European champion followed up by beating Dave Chisnall 6-2 in the quarter-finals, and impressed in the semi-finals against Danny Noppert with a 7-3 victory that booked his third European Tour final of the year.
Anderson awaited, and Smith had nothing but admiration for the two-time world champion. “Playing Gary - it’s Gary Anderson isn’t it, he’s a legend. To be able to beat Gary, wow.” In the final, Smith quickly made it clear he wouldn’t let this chance slip. Finishes of 103 and 124 moved him 2-1 up, and he steadily pulled away from Anderson. At one stage his lead was five legs, leaving him just two legs from the title. He wrapped it up in style with an 11-darter that included a break of throw, closing the final with a 101 average and a superb 73 percent on the outer ring.
The victory brought Smith not only the £35,000 top prize but also a new milestone in the world rankings, climbing to 15th on the PDC Order of Merit. Thanks to his second European Tour title of the season, he also overtakes Wessel Nijman, who has also won two titles this year, at the top of the European Tour ranking. Playing the European Tour circuit remains special for Smith: “At the end of the day, I’m playing in front of thousands and thousands of people. This is my job, wow! I’m so grateful, it’s a pinch myself moment.” That feeling goes beyond the stage: “I absolutely love the European Tour. To travel the world and see everything and take my little lad with me, it’s an absolute privilege.”