Michael van Gerwen will kick off his defence of the World Series of Darts Finals crown by taking on Lourence Ilagan in the opening round, while fellow youngster Luke Littler meets Danny Noppert in Amsterdam. The PDC’s flagship tournament brings together thirty‑two of the sport’s biggest names for a four‑day showdown at AFAS Live from September 17 to September 20. The draw and full schedule have now been released, giving fans a clear picture of the match‑ups that will shape this month’s marquee event.
Van Gerwen, the reigning champion who lifted his sixth World Series Finals trophy exactly a year ago, enters the competition as the top seed. His first opponent, two‑time PDC Asian Champion Lourence Ilagan, will provide a stern test for the Dutch superstar.
Ilagan’s recent successes in the Asian circuit have earned him a reputation as a dangerous scorer, and his aggressive style should make for an intriguing contrast with Van Gerwen’s clinical precision. The opening round is split across two sessions on September 17 and 18.
Among the highlights, 2024 champion Luke Littler will open his campaign against former UK Open winner Danny Noppert, continuing his pursuit of a clean sweep of major titles for the season. Littler, only 18, has already made a name for himself with a series of high‑profile victories, and his match against the experienced Noppert promises to be a showcase of youthful flair versus seasoned composure. World number two Luke Humphries will also feature on the first night, drawing Dutch contender Jermaine Wattimena.
Humphries, known for his steady hand and sharp finishing, will look to assert his ranking by overcoming the home‑grown challenger. Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price, who is seeking his third World Series Finals title, faces Australian Darts Masters runner‑up Brody Klinge. Price’s powerful throwing arm and fierce competitive spirit make him a perennial threat, and Klinge’s recent form suggests he could push the Welshman to the limit. In another compelling fixture, Dutch number one Gian van Veen meets former Masters champion Chris Dobey.
Van Veen, a rising star on the European circuit, will be eager to prove himself against the experienced Englishman, who has a wealth of major‑final experience. The round also pits Stephen Bunting against Josh Rock, a clash that could determine which of the two will advance to the second round.
Former champion Jonny Clayton will open his defence against Philippines World Cup representative Alexis Toylo, while ten‑time TV title holder James Wade takes on Australian number one Damon Heta. Both matches feature seasoned campaigners looking to navigate the early stages of a tournament that often produces surprise results. The event will be streamed live on the NOW platform, and fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the best video experience. Additional darts highlights, video clips, and a schedule of upcoming Sky Sports live broadcasts are also available for those who want to follow the action beyond the arena.
Dutch pair Wessel Nijman and Kevin Doets have been drawn against seasoned veterans Simon Whitlock and Ross Smith respectively, offering a chance for the home crowd to see local talent test themselves against established internationals. Rob Cross, a former world champion, will face World Championship semi‑finalist Ryan Searle, a match that could showcase a battle of high‑scoring power versus surgical finishing. The opening night on Thursday, September 17, will be headlined by Van Gerwen, Humphries, and Van Veen, while Friday’s evening session will spotlight Littler, Price, and Clayton among other top names.
After the first round concludes, the remaining sixteen competitors will move on to the second round, which is split into an afternoon session on Saturday, September 19, and an evening session later that same day. The tournament reaches its climax on Sunday, September 20. The quarter‑finals will be played in the afternoon, followed by the semi‑finals and the championship match in a packed evening session.
The schedule promises a full day of high‑stakes darts, with the final likely to feature a showdown between two of the sport’s biggest stars. Below is a concise overview of the match‑ups: **Thursday, September 17 – Round One (6 pm BST)** - Viktor Tingstrom vs Man Lok Leung - Rob Cross vs Ryan Searle - Karel Sedlacek vs Ben Robb - Kevin Doets vs Ross Smith - Stephen Bunting vs Josh Rock - Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena - Michael van Gerwen vs Lourence Ilagan - Gian van Veen vs Chris Dobey **Friday, September 18 – Round One (6 pm BST)** - Adam Leek vs Jim Long - Motomu Sakai vs Callan Rydz - Wessel Nijman vs Simon Whitlock - Nathan Aspinall vs Raymond Smith - James Wade vs Damon Heta - Gerwyn Price vs Brody Klinge - Luke Littler vs Danny Noppert - Jonny Clayton vs Alexis Toylo **Saturday, September 19 – Round Two** *Afternoon Session (6 pm BST)* - Van Gerwen/Ilagan vs Doets/Ross Smith - Bunting/Rock vs Cross/Searle - Humphries/Wattimena vs Tingstrom/Leung - Van Veen/Dobey vs Sedlacek/Robb *Evening Session (6 pm BST)* - Price/Klinge vs Leek/Long - Wade/Heta vs Nijman/Whitlock - Littler/Noppert vs Aspinall/Raymond Smith - Clayton/Toylo vs Sakai/Rydz **Sunday, September 20 – Finals Day** - Afternoon: Quarter‑Finals (12 pm BST) - Evening: Semi‑Finals followed by the Final (6 pm BST) The World Series of Darts Finals promises a blend of established champions, emerging talents, and local heroes, all competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
Whether you are a die‑hard follower of the PDC circuit or a casual fan looking for high‑octane entertainment, the tournament’s schedule offers ample opportunity to witness world‑class darts in a vibrant Amsterdam atmosphere.