Michael van Gerwen will kick off his defence of the World Series of Darts Finals crown by facing Philippines' Lourence Ilagan, while rising star Luke Littler meets former UK Open champion Danny Noppert in the opening matches in Amsterdam. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Premier event gathers thirty-two of the sport's top competitors from across the globe for a four‑day showdown at AF AS Live, scheduled from September 17 to September 20.
The full draw and timetable have now been released, giving fans a clear picture of the pathways each player must navigate to reach the coveted title. Van Gerwen, the reigning champion who lifted his sixth World Series Finals trophy exactly one year ago, enters the tournament 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 performances in Asian events have shown a marked improvement in consistency and scoring power, making him a credible threat to upset the defending champion. The opening round is split over two sessions on the first two days of the competition.
On September 17, the afternoon session will feature eight matches, including the headline clash between Van Gerwen and Ilagan. The evening session on September 18 will see another eight contests, with Luke Littler taking the stage against Danny Noppert. Littler, who captured the 2024 World Championship title earlier this year, is on a mission to complete a clean sweep of major trophies.
His opponent, Noppert, is a seasoned Dutch professional who has previously reached the final of the UK Open, adding depth and experience to the encounter. World number two Luke Humphries also opens his campaign against fellow Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena, a player known for his steady hand on the oche. Meanwhile, former World Series champion Gerwyn Price begins his quest for a third title by meeting Australian Darts Masters runner‑up Brody Klinge. Price’s aggressive style and powerful finishing will be on full display as he looks to add another major to his résumé.
In another marquee matchup, Dutch number one Gian van Veen is drawn against former Masters champion Chris Dobey. Van Veen, who has been climbing the rankings steadily, will aim to use his home‑crowd advantage to outplay Dobey, a player celebrated for his high‑scoring averages and calm demeanor under pressure. The early rounds also feature a clash between former World Champion Stephen Bunting and the young English talent Josh Rock, both eager to secure a place in the second round. 2021 World Series champion Jonny Clayton opens his defence against Philippines' World Cup representative Alexis Toylo, a match that highlights the growing international reach of darts.
Ten‑time TV title winner James Wade will start his title challenge versus Australian number one Damon Heta, a player who has become a regular feature in the latter stages of major tournaments. The Dutch pair Wessel Nijman and Kevin Doets have been paired with seasoned veterans Simon Whitlock and Ross Smith respectively, providing a blend of experience and fresh talent on the board. Rob Cross, the 2018 World Champion, will take on World Championship semi‑finalist Ryan Searle, a match that promises high scores and dramatic finishes. The tournament schedule is designed to build excitement.
Thursday, September 17, will host the first batch of eight round‑one matches, with Van Gerwen, Humphries and van Veen highlighted as the evening’s headliners. Friday, September 18, will feature the second set of eight round‑one matches, showcasing Littler, Price and Clayton among the marquee attractions. After the conclusion of round one, the field will be halved to sixteen players. These competitors will battle for spots in the Finals Day across two sessions on Saturday, September 19.
The afternoon session will see four round‑two matches, while the evening session will host another four, with the exact order of play to be confirmed closer to the event. Sunday, September 20, marks the tournament’s climax.
The afternoon session will host the quarter‑finals, followed by an evening session that includes the semi‑finals and the championship final. The schedule promises a packed day of elite darts, culminating in a high‑stakes showdown to determine the new World Series of Darts Finals champion. For fans wishing to follow the action live, the event will be streamed on the NOW platform, and highlights will be available shortly after each session. Sky Sports will also broadcast key matches, and the official Love the Darts podcast will provide commentary and analysis throughout the week.
Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. Below is a concise overview of the full draw: - **Round One – Thursday, September 17 (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.
- **Round One – Friday, September 18 (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. - **Round Two – Saturday, September 19 (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. - **Round Two – Saturday, September 19 (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.
- **Quarter‑Finals – Sunday, September 20 (Afternoon, 12 pm BST)** - **Semi‑Finals & Final – Sunday, September 20 (Evening, 6 pm BST)** With a blend of established champions, emerging talents, and international contenders, the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals promises to deliver thrilling darts, surprising upsets, and a showcase of the sport’s growing global appeal.