The climax of the Hungarian Darts Trophy unfolded on the final day, delivering a tournament that proved far more unpredictable than anyone had anticipated. Early on Saturday, two of the event's biggest names were eliminated, dramatically reshaping the competition and opening the door for a fresh set of contenders. World number two Luke Humphries, who entered the event as the top seed after the absence of the highly‑rated Luke Littler, suffered a surprising 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. This loss was particularly noteworthy because it broke a nine‑match winning streak that Humphries had maintained against Van Duijvenbode in previous encounters, underscoring the Dutch player's determination to overturn the odds.
The shockwave continued when Michael van Gerwen, affectionately known as "MvG" and a perennial favorite in any tournament he enters, was ousted in the round of sixteen. Van Gerwen fell 6-4 to England’s Nathan Aspinall, a result that sent ripples through the crowd and left fans speculating about how far the Dutch legend could still go in this event.
Beyond the men's competition, the tournament made history earlier in the weekend when Beau Greaves shattered a long‑standing barrier by becoming the first woman to compete in a European Tour event. Greaves faced 2018 world champion Rob Cross in a tightly contested match that stretched to a deciding leg, ultimately ending 6-5 in Cross's favour. Her performance not only demonstrated her skill but also marked a significant milestone for gender inclusion in professional darts.
The schedule for Sunday, August 30, was packed with high‑stakes matches. The evening session at 6 p.m. featured four quarter‑final clashes: - Dirk van Duijvenbode versus Danny Noppert, - Ross Smith against Dave Chisnall, - Gian van Veen meeting Gary Anderson, and - Nathan Aspinall taking on Chris Dobey. The winners of those duels progressed to the semi‑finals, where van Duijvenbode would meet Noppert and Smith would face Chisnall, while Van Veen would clash with Anderson and Aspinall would battle Josh Rock.
The afternoon session concluded with a final that saw Dirk van Duijvenbode defeat Rob Cross 6‑4, securing his place in the championship match. A look back at Saturday’s Round Two afternoon session shows a series of compelling results: - Ross Smith dispatched William O'Connor 6‑2, - Dave Chisnall overcame Wessel Nijman 6‑2, - Jermaine Wattimena edged Andrew Gilding 6‑4, - Danny Noppert beat Ritchie Edhouse 6‑4, - Ryan Searle triumphed over Niko Springer 6‑4, - Luke Woodhouse narrowly lost to Rob Cross 5‑6, - Gary Anderson dominated Krzysztof Ratajski 6‑2, - Chris Dobey edged Tom Sykes 6‑5. These matches set the stage for the dramatic eliminations that followed.
The evening session on Saturday also delivered excitement, with Stephen Bunting cruising past Jonas Masalin 6‑1 and Jonny Clayton dispatching Laszlo Kadar 6‑3. In a surprising turn, Keane Barry overcame Luke Humphries 6‑3, while Dirk van Duijvenbode continued his strong run by beating Michael van Gerwen 6‑4, a reversal of fortunes that highlighted his rising form. James Hurrell fell to Gian van Veen 0‑6, and Nathan Aspinall secured a 6‑4 victory over Ryan Joyce, further cementing his status as a dark horse.
Friday’s opening round set the tournament in motion. Highlights included Kevin Doets falling 4‑6 to Jonas Masalin, Andrew Gilding delivering a flawless 6‑0 performance against Milan Biro, and Ritchie Edhouse dispatching Connor Scutt 6‑1. Niko Springer recorded a comfortable 6‑1 win over Maik Kuivenhoven, while Keane Barry defeated Ryan Joyce 6‑3.
The evening session saw Dirk van Duijvenbode dominate David Pisek 6‑1 and Daryl Gurney lose a nail‑biting 5‑6 decision to Laszlo Kadar. Krzysztof Ratajski edged Callan Rydz 6‑5, and Joe Cullen fell 3‑6 to Adam Leek.
Rob Cross secured a 6‑5 win over Beau Greaves, while Nandor Major edged Niels Zonneveld 5‑6. Throughout the weekend, the tournament not only delivered high‑quality darts but also highlighted the depth of talent across the field. Emerging players such as Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert proved they could challenge the sport’s elite, while seasoned veterans like Gary Anderson and Rob Cross showed they still possess the firepower to compete at the highest level.
Fans looking to follow the action can stream the matches via NOW, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience. For those wondering when darts will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, the network’s schedule typically features weekly coverage, with major tournaments like the Hungarian Darts Trophy receiving prime‑time slots. In addition to live coverage, viewers can catch the latest highlights and video clips on the official darts platforms, and the "Love the Darts" podcast provides in‑depth analysis, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes insights for enthusiasts who want a deeper dive into the sport.
Looking ahead, the darts calendar continues to build momentum toward the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, slated for September 28 to October 4. World number one Luke Littler will defend his title in that event, and fans can anticipate another thrilling series of matches, all available live on Sky Sports.
As the season progresses, the sport’s growing popularity and increasing inclusivity promise even more memorable moments for players and supporters alike.