Michael van Gerwen will commence his defence of the World Series of Darts Finals title by facing Lourence Ilagan in the opening match, while fellow rising star Luke Littler squares off against Danny Noppert in Amsterdam. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) premier tournament will showcase 32 of the sport's leading players from across the globe at the AFAS Live arena between September 17 and September 20. The full draw and schedule have now been released, giving fans a clear picture of the action that will unfold over the four‑day event.
Van Gerwen, the reigning champion who lifted his sixth World Series Finals trophy 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 maestro as he looks to retain his crown on home soil. The opening round is split across two sessions on the first two days of the tournament, with 2024 champion Luke Littler launching his campaign against former UK Open winner Danny Noppert.
Littler is eager to continue his pursuit of a clean sweep of major titles, a feat that would cement his status as one of the sport’s brightest talents. Other notable match‑ups include world number two Luke Humphries, who will meet Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena, and Gerwyn Price, who opens his bid for a third World Series Finals trophy against Australian Darts Masters runner‑up Brody Klinge.
The Dutch number one Gian van Veen is set to clash with former Masters champion Chris Dobey, while Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock will battle for a spot in the second round. Former champion Jonny Clayton will take on Philippines World Cup representative Alexis Toylo, and ten‑time televised title winner James Wade will begin his title challenge against Australian number one Damon Heta. The tournament will be streamed live on the NOW platform, and viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the best video experience. In addition to live coverage, fans can enjoy highlights, podcasts such as "Love the Darts," and a host of other darts‑related content.
Dutch duo Wessel Nijman and Kevin Doets have been paired with seasoned veterans Simon Whitlock and Ross Smith respectively, while Rob Cross will face World Championship semi‑finalist Ryan Searle. The opening night on Thursday will feature headline matches starring Van Gerwen, Humphries and Van Veen, with Friday’s evening session showcasing Littler, Price and Clayton among other marquee attractions. After the first round concludes, the remaining sixteen competitors will vie for places in the Finals Day, which will be contested over two sessions on Saturday, September 19. The tournament will then reach its climax on Sunday, September 20.
The afternoon session will host the quarter‑finals, followed by an evening session packed with the semi‑finals and the championship match. The detailed schedule is as follows: **Thursday, September 17 (6 pm BST) – Round One (8 matches)** - 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 (6 pm BST) – Round One (8 matches)** - 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/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/Smith - Clayton/Toylo vs Sakai/Rydz **Sunday, September 20 – Finals Day** - Afternoon Session (12 pm BST): Quarter‑finals - Evening Session (6 pm BST): Semi‑finals followed by the Final The event promises a blend of established stars and emerging talent, offering a compelling narrative for darts enthusiasts. Van Gerwen will look to prove that his dominance is far from over, while Ilagan hopes to cause an upset on the biggest stage.
Meanwhile, the younger generation, represented by players such as Littler, Wattimena and Van Veen, will aim to make a statement and perhaps claim their first major titles. With a packed schedule, high‑stakes matches and a vibrant atmosphere at AFAS Live, the 2024 World Series of Darts Finals is set to be a memorable showcase of skill, precision and competitive spirit.