World Series of Darts Finals 2026 Under Way in Amsterdam
The World Series of Darts Finals have begun in Amsterdam, bringing together 32 players for four days of high-pressure action at AFAS Live.
Running from 17 to 20 September 2026, the tournament features some of the biggest names in darts, including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, James Wade, Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton.
The competition has already produced a major surprise.
In the opening round, Daryl Gurney knocked out defending champion Michael van Gerwen, who lost 6-5 in a dramatic deciding leg.
Van Gerwen appeared to be heading towards victory but failed to convert six match darts while leading 5-4.
Gurney took advantage, levelled the contest and then completed a remarkable victory.
For the Amsterdam crowd, it was a disappointing result.
For everyone else in the tournament, the draw was dramatically opened up.
And with Luke Littler beginning his campaign on Friday evening, there could be plenty more drama to come.
Michael van Gerwen Suffers Shock First-Round Exit
Van Gerwen entered the tournament as defending champion after beating Littler 11-7 in the 2025 final.
Playing in front of a home Dutch crowd should have given him another advantage.
Instead, his title defence lasted just one match.
Gurney raced into an early 3-0 lead before Van Gerwen responded strongly, winning five consecutive legs.
At 5-3, the Dutchman appeared to have taken control.
But Gurney refused to disappear.
Van Gerwen then missed six match darts, allowing his opponent to force a deciding leg.
Gurney kept his composure and secured a memorable 6-5 victory.
It was particularly impressive considering Gurney was not originally expected to compete in the tournament.
He was called into the field as a late replacement following visa problems affecting players from the Philippines.
Now he is into the second round and will face Ross Smith.
Luke Littler Begins His Title Challenge
Much of the attention now turns to Luke Littler.
The world No. 1 faces Dutch star Danny Noppert in Friday evening’s first round.
Littler has become the dominant figure in darts and arrives in Amsterdam attempting to continue an extraordinary season.
He won this tournament in 2024 before reaching the final again in 2025, when Van Gerwen denied him another title.
This year offers an opportunity for revenge of sorts — although Van Gerwen’s early elimination means there can be no rematch in the final.
Littler is also chasing something much bigger.
He has been attempting to complete an unprecedented clean sweep of darts’ major titles during 2026.
Winning in Amsterdam would bring him closer to that remarkable goal.
But Noppert should not be underestimated.
Playing in the Netherlands gives him significant home support, while his experience means Littler will need to find his best level immediately.
Luke Humphries Survives Difficult Opening Match
Luke Humphries also remains firmly in contention.
The former world No 1 beat Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 on Thursday.
The scoreline does not fully explain how uncomfortable the match became.
Humphries produced one of the highlights of the evening with an outstanding 132 checkout, hitting bullseye, bullseye and double 16.
However, finishing became a problem later in the contest.
He missed multiple opportunities to close out the match before eventually securing victory.
Humphries will now face Dirk van Duijvenbode in Saturday’s second round.
Van Duijvenbode earned his place by recovering from 4-1 down to defeat Viktor Tingstrom 6-4.
Gian van Veen Impresses in Amsterdam
Another Dutch player still in the running is Gian van Veen.
Van Veen produced one of Thursday’s more convincing performances, defeating Chris Dobey 6-2.
With Van Gerwen eliminated, attention among Dutch supporters could increasingly shift towards Van Veen.
His next opponent will be Karel Sedlacek, who defeated Ben Robb 6-4.
Playing deep into a major tournament in front of a passionate Amsterdam crowd would represent another decisive moment in Van Veen’s rapidly developing career.
Josh Rock Edges Stephen Bunting
Thursday also produced another deciding-leg thriller.
Stephen Bunting looked capable of advancing against Josh Rock but could not get the job done.
Rock won the final three legs to claim a 6-5 victory after Bunting missed opportunities to close out the match.
Rock will face Ryan Searle in the second round.
Searle produced one of the strongest performances of opening night, beating former world champion Rob Cross 6-2.
That sets up another intriguing Saturday contest.
World Series of Darts Finals Thursday Results
The first eight opening-round matches produced the following results:
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Viktor Tingstrom
Ryan Searle 6-2 Rob Cross
Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Ben Robb
Ross Smith 6-3 Kevin Doets
Josh Rock 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena
Daryl Gurney 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Gian van Veen 6-2 Chris Dobey
With half of the opening round complete, Friday will determine the remaining places in the last 16.
Friday’s World Series of Darts Finals Schedule
Friday’s session begins at 6pm UK time and features eight more first-round matches.
Adam Leek faces Jim Long, while Motomu Sakai meets Callan Rydz.
Wessel Nijman takes on experienced Australian Simon Whitlock before Nathan Aspinall faces Raymond Smith.
The biggest names arrive later in the evening.
James Wade plays Damon Heta, while Gerwyn Price faces Brody Klinge.
Then comes the match many fans will be waiting for:
Luke Littler vs Danny Noppert.
Jonny Clayton’s meeting with Maik Kuivenhoven completes the first round.
Saturday Brings the Second Round
The remaining 16 players will compete across two sessions on Saturday.
Four second-round matches are scheduled for the afternoon, with another four in the evening.
Confirmed matches from Thursday’s half of the draw include:
Daryl Gurney vs Ross Smith
Josh Rock vs Ryan Searle
Luke Humphries vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gian van Veen vs Karel Sedlacek
Friday’s results will determine the remaining four matches.
That means Littler could potentially face the winner of Nathan Aspinall and Raymond Smith if he defeats Noppert.
Finals Day Could Be Spectacular
Sunday is where the tournament really accelerates.
The quarter-finals take place during the afternoon session, beginning at noon UK time.
The surviving four players then return for the evening session.
Both semi-finals and the final will be played on Sunday evening.
That creates a demanding test.
Whoever becomes champion must potentially defeat three high-level opponents on the same day.
It means stamina and concentration can become almost as important as scoring power.
A player might produce a brilliant quarter-final performance but still need enough energy to survive two more matches.
That format has helped make Finals Day one of the most entertaining parts of the competition.
How Much Prize Money Is Available?
There is plenty at stake beyond the trophy.
The World Series of Darts Finals champion receives £100,000.
For elite players accustomed to competing for major titles, however, prestige is equally important.
Winning in Amsterdam provides momentum for the busy final section of the darts calendar.
Major tournaments including the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and eventually the World Darts Championship remain ahead.
A strong performance this weekend could therefore be extremely valuable.
Can Luke Littler Win Again?
Littler will inevitably enter the conversation whenever a major darts trophy is available.
His rise has transformed the sport.
He combines extraordinary scoring power with finishing ability and composure that can make him extremely difficult to beat.
But knockout darts is still unpredictable.
Van Gerwen’s defeat provides the perfect example.
Six missed match darts were enough to turn what appeared to be a victory into elimination.
Littler cannot afford a slow start against Noppert.
If he progresses, the draw will become increasingly demanding.
Yet his performances throughout 2026 mean he will remain one of the central players to watch.
Van Gerwen’s Exit Changes the Tournament
Van Gerwen’s defeat has altered the complexion of the World Series of Darts Finals.
He was not simply another seeded player.
He was the defending champion, a six-time winner of the event and the biggest Dutch star competing in Amsterdam.
His elimination removes one of the most experienced major champions from the draw.
That could create opportunities for players like Littler, Humphries, Price and Van Veen.
It also demonstrates why predictions in darts can be dangerous.
One missed double can change a leg.
A few missed doubles can change an entire tournament.
Players to Watch This Weekend
Littler will command much of the attention, but this tournament is far from a one-player competition.
Humphries has already survived his opening test.
Gian van Veen looked impressive against Dobey.
Josh Rock demonstrated resilience against Bunting.
Gurney will take confidence from eliminating the defending champion.
Gerwyn Price and James Wade are still waiting to begin their campaigns.
The depth of the field means major names could continue disappearing before Sunday’s final.
That unpredictability is what makes the tournament so compelling.
Where to Watch the World Series of Darts Finals
UK viewers can follow the tournament through ITV4, with streaming available through ITVX.
Coverage continues throughout the weekend as the competition moves from the opening round into the knockout stages and Sunday’s final.
Because results can change quickly, viewers should check the latest television schedules before each session.
Why the World Series Finals Matter
The World Series of Darts takes elite PDC players around the globe throughout the season.
The Finals brings that journey together in one major tournament.
Amsterdam provides an especially lively setting.
Dutch darts fans are among the most passionate in the sport, especially when players like Van Gerwen, Noppert and Van Veen are competing.
The event also arrives at an important point in the season.
Players are now starting to prepare for some of the year’s biggest tournaments.
Confidence gained in Amsterdam could carry directly into those events.
Conclusion
The World Series of Darts Finals 2026 have already produced a major surprise.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen is out after losing 6-5 to Daryl Gurney, having missed six match darts.
Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Josh Rock, Ryan Searle and Ross Smith are among those safely through to Saturday.
But one of the biggest stories is still to come.
Luke Littler begins his campaign against Danny Noppert on Friday evening, looking to reclaim the title he won in 2024 and continue his extraordinary pursuit of major trophies.
Gerwyn Price, James Wade, Nathan Aspinall and Jonny Clayton are also in action.
With the second round on Saturday followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final on Sunday, Amsterdam is set for a packed weekend of darts.
And after the defending champion disappeared on opening night, the tournament suddenly looks even more unpredictable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the World Series of Darts Finals in 2026?
The tournament runs from 17-20 September 2026.
Where are the World Series of Darts Finals being played?
The event is taking place at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Who won the World Series of Darts Finals in 2025?
Michael van Gerwen won the 2025 tournament, defeating Luke Littler 11-7 in the final.
Is Michael van Gerwen still in the 2026 tournament?
No. Daryl Gurney defeated Van Gerwen 6-5 in the first round on Thursday.
Who does Luke Littler play?
Littler faces Danny Noppert in his opening match on Friday, 18 September.
When is the World Series of Darts Finals final?
The final takes place on Sunday evening, 20 September 2026, after the semi-finals.
What is the winner’s prize?
The 2026 champion will receive £100,000.
