The annual staging of the Dutch Open will take place this weekend in Assen with just under 6,000 competitors heading to the north of the Netherlands.

The tournament that keeps on growing bigger and bigger is back for 47th successive year. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the prestigious event:

HOW MANY ARE PARTICIPATING?

3,357 men will be participating in the men’s singles, with 367 women competing in the ladies’ competition, 270 boys and 43 girls partaking in the various youth competitions.

WHO ARE THE KNOWN NAMES HEADING TO ASSEN?

Two-time defeating champion Mark McGeeney will not be in attendance after winning his coveted tour card earlier in January, neither will reigning Lakeside champion Glen Durrant, Jim Williams or Scott Waites.

Four-time Dutch Open champion and three-time World Champion, Martin Adams, will be attending, as will Darryl Fitton – another player who is looking to regain his form after a difficult year or so.

Wesley Harms will be the number one seed in Assen thanks to the decision not to attend from Jim Williams, as he joins recent Romanian Open winner Dave Parletti amongst the 3,357 man field.

In the ladies side of proceedings, Deta Hedman will be defending her title as she joins the likes of Lisa Ashton, Lorraine Winstanley, Aileen de Graaf and recently-crowned World Champion Mikuru Suzuki in Assen.

Fallon Sherrock will not be in attendance after a busy few weeks competing in both the UK Qualifying School and the Challenge Tour in Wigan.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT?

Men’s singles competition: Start: Best of 5 legs, Last 64: Best of 7 legs, Quarter-Finals: Best of 9 legs, Semi-Finals: Best of 3 sets, best of 5 legs, Final: Best of 5 sets, best of 5 legs.

Ladies’ singles competition: Start: Best of 5 legs, Last 16: Best of 7 legs, Final: Best of 9 legs.

Click here for the full format

WHAT IS THE DRAW AND SCHEDULE?

The full draw and schedule can be found at the following links. Number one seed Wesley Harms will face either Kenneth Hoston or Jeffrey Aardenburg. Darryl Fitton will take on either Allan Schram or Davey de Veer, while Martin Adams will face either Patrick Bus or Bob van Oerle.

Click here for the full men’s draw

Click here for the full ladies’ draw

Click here for any other various draws

Click here for the full schedule

WHAT IS THE PRIZE FUND?

The men’s winner will pick up €5,000 in prize money, while the runner-up will pocket half that amount. The ladies winner will receive a €2,250 cheque, with the runner-up trousering €1,250.

Click here for the full prize fund

HOW CAN I WATCH THE TOURNAMENT?

Selected matches will be available for viewing on all three days of the tournament, with the finals being streamed on Sunday evening. You’ll be able to catch the action free of charge via the Nederlandse Darts Bond YouTube channel, with more information being available at dartsfreakz.nl.