World No. 2 Luke Humphries is set to meet former World Matchplay semi‑finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode in the second round of the Hungarian Darts Trophy.
Humphries, who has not appeared on the European Tour circuit since clinching the Belgian Darts Open title in March 2026, arrives in top form after capturing the most recent Players Championship event in Leicester on Wednesday. His recent victory underscores a strong run of form heading into the Hungarian event, where he will be looking to add another trophy to his growing collection. The tournament also made headlines on Friday when Beau Greaves broke new ground by becoming the first female competitor ever to take part in a European Tour event.
Greaves put on a spirited performance against former world champion Rob Cross, pushing the 2018 title‑holder to a deciding leg before eventually falling 6‑5. Her historic appearance and near‑upset demonstrated the increasing depth and inclusivity of the sport, and it will likely inspire more women to pursue darts at the highest level. Other notable match‑ups on the card include Dutch qualifier Gian van Veen, who will face fellow qualifier Nandor Major, and a much‑anticipated clash between Michael van Gerwen and James Hurrell. Van Gerwen, a five‑time world champion, is eager to secure his second Hungarian Darts Trophy crown after falling short in his previous attempt.
Fourth‑seed Jonny Clayton will open his campaign against home‑grown talent Laszlo Kadar, who delivered a stunning upset on Friday night by edging out Daryl Gurney 6‑5. Meanwhile, last year’s champion Niko Springer is slated to meet Maik Kuivenhoven of the Netherlands in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter. The schedule for Saturday, August 29, is split into two sessions. The afternoon session at 12:00 pm features a series of opening‑round duels: Ross Smith versus William O'Connor, Wessel Nijman versus Dave Chisnall, Jermaine Wattimena versus Andrew Gilding, Danny Noppert versus Ritchie Edhouse, Ryan Searle versus Niko Springer, Luke Woodhouse versus Rob Cross, Gary Anderson versus Krzysztof Ratajski, and Chris Dobey versus Tom Sykes.
The evening session at 6:00 pm will see Stephen Bunting take on Jonas Masalin, Jonny Clayton versus Laszlo Kadar, Madars Razma versus Keane Barry, Luke Humphries versus Dirk van Duijvenbode, Michael van Gerwen versus James Hurrell, Gian van Veen versus Nandor Major, Nathan Aspinall versus Ryan Joyce, and Josh Rock versus Joe Cullen. Fans can stream the action via the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience. For those who prefer traditional broadcast, darts coverage is also available on Sky Sports, with live matches and highlights regularly updated throughout the tournament.
In addition to the live action, viewers can catch the latest darts highlights, video recaps, and the popular "Love the Darts" podcast for deeper analysis and behind‑the‑scenes stories. The following day, Sunday, August 30, will host the third round in the afternoon session at noon, followed by the evening session at 6:00 pm, which will feature the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and ultimately the final. The tournament’s structure ensures a steady build‑up of excitement as the field narrows and the stakes rise. Friday, August 28, opened the competition with a full slate of first‑round matches.
In the afternoon session, notable results included Kevin Doets losing 4‑6 to Jonas Masalin, Andrew Gilding cruising to a 6‑0 win over Milan Biro, and Ritchie Edhouse dispatching Connor Scutt 6‑1. Niko Springer posted a comfortable 6‑1 victory over Maik Kuivenhoven, while William O'Connor defeated Samuel Price 6‑2. Keane Barry overcame Martin Schindler 6‑2, and Ryan Joyce beat Cristo Reyes 6‑3. Dave Chisnall also recorded a 6‑3 win over Andras Borbely.
The evening session saw Dirk van Duijvenbode dominate David Pisek 6‑1, while Daryl Gurney fell 5‑6 to Laszlo Kadar in a nail‑biting finish. Krzysztof Ratajski edged past Callan Rydz 6‑5, and Joe Cullen secured a 6‑3 victory over Adam Leek.
Rob Cross was forced into a 5‑6 defeat by Beau Greaves, marking the historic moment mentioned earlier. Niels Zonneveld lost 5‑6 to Nandor Major, and Cameron Menzies was beaten 1‑6 by Tom Sykes. In a dramatic encounter, Damon Heta was edged out 5‑6 by James Hurrell.
Looking ahead, the darts calendar continues to heat up with the upcoming BoyleSports World Grand Prix, where World No. 1 Luke Littler will defend his title from September 28 to October 4. The Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans another opportunity to watch elite darts action. As the Hungarian Darts Trophy progresses, all eyes will be on Humphries, van Gerwen, and the emerging talents who could cause upsets and reshape the tournament narrative.