Michael van Gerwen will begin his defence of the World Series of Darts Finals title by facing Lourence Ilagan in the opening match, while rising star Luke Littler meets Danny Noppert in a parallel fixture in Amsterdam. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Premier event will showcase 32 elite players from across the world at the AFAS Live arena from September 17 to September 20.
The full draw and schedule have now been released, giving fans a clear picture of the week-long showdown. 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, Ilagan, is a two‑time PDC Asian Champion and a proven scorer who earned his place by dominating the Asian circuit.
This matchup pits the Dutch powerhouse against a fast‑rising Asian talent, setting the tone for a tournament that promises both high‑octane fireworks and tightly contested battles. The opening round is split over two sessions on September 17 and 18. On the first day, 2024 champion Luke Littler will start his campaign against former UK Open winner Danny Noppert. Littler, only 19 years old, is chasing a rare clean‑sweep of major titles after already securing the World Youth Championship and the UK Open Qualifier earlier in the season.
Noppert, a seasoned Dutch competitor, brings experience and a calm demeanor that could test the youngster’s nerves. World number two Luke Humphries will also be on the opening night, drawing fellow Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena. Humphries, known for his steady scoring and clinical finishing, will look to build momentum early in the tournament. Meanwhile, former champion Gerwyn Price will open his quest for a third World Series Finals crown against Australian Darts Masters runner‑up Brody Klinge, a player who impressed in the Australian circuit with his heavy scoring and composure under pressure.
The Dutch number one Gian van Veen is slated to meet former Masters champion Chris Dobey in a clash that could be one of the evening’s highlights. Van Veen, a rising talent from the Netherlands, has been making waves with his rapid rise through the PDC rankings, while Dobey brings a wealth of experience, having reached multiple televised finals. In other first‑round encounters, Stephen Bunting will take on Josh Rock, both vying for a place in the second round.
Bunting, a former world champion, will look to rediscover his best form, while Rock, a young English prospect, will aim to prove his mettle on the big stage. 2021 champion Jonny Clayton will open his campaign against Philippines World Cup star Alexis Toylo, a match that promises an intriguing contrast of styles.
Ten‑time TV title winner James Wade will also be featured, facing Australian number one Damon Heta. Wade, a veteran of countless major finals, will rely on his trademark consistency, while Heta, who captured the Australian Open earlier this year, will try to upset the seasoned Englishman. The tournament will be streamed live on the NOW platform, and additional highlights and video content will be available for fans who want to catch up on key moments.
For the best viewing experience, the organizers recommend using the Chrome browser to access a more accessible video player. Dutch duo Wessel Nijman and Kevin Doets have been paired with seasoned opponents Simon Whitlock and Ross Smith respectively, creating intriguing early‑round battles. Rob Cross, the 2018 world champion, will face World Championship semi‑finalist Ryan Searle, a match that could produce a high‑scoring showdown given both players’ propensity for heavy checkout attempts.
The opening night on Thursday will be headlined by Van Gerwen, Humphries, and Van Veen, while Friday’s evening slot will showcase Littler, Price, and Clayton as the marquee attractions. After the first round concludes, the remaining sixteen competitors will advance to the second round, which will be contested over two sessions on Saturday, September 19.
Saturday’s afternoon session will feature the winners of Van Gerwen’s match against Ilagan taking on the victor of the Doets versus Ross Smith encounter, as well as other quarter‑final‑type pairings such as Bunting versus Rock and Cross versus Searle. The evening session will see Price and Klinge facing the winner of the Leek‑Long match, Wade against Heta, and Littler versus Noppert, among others.
Exact order of play will be confirmed closer to the event. The tournament will culminate on Sunday, September 20. The afternoon session will host the quarter‑finals, while the evening session will deliver the semi‑finals followed by the final in a packed, high‑stakes finale. Fans can expect a dramatic conclusion as the remaining four players battle for the coveted World Series of Darts Finals trophy.
Below is a summary of the full draw: - 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)* – Four matches featuring the winners of the first‑round pairings, including Van Gerwen/Ilagan versus Doets/Smith, Bunting/Rock versus Cross/Searle, Humphries/Wattimena versus Tingstrom/Leung, and Van Veen/Dobey versus Sedlacek/Robb.
*Evening Session (6 pm BST)* – Four matches: Price/Klinge versus Leek/Long, Wade/Heta versus Nijman/Whitlock, Littler/Noppert versus Aspinall/Smith, and Clayton/Toylo versus Sakai/Rydz. - Sunday, September 20 – Finals Day: *Afternoon Session (12 pm BST)* – Quarter‑finals. *Evening Session (6 pm BST)* – Semi‑finals followed by the championship final. The event promises a blend of established stars and emerging talent, offering a compelling narrative for darts enthusiasts worldwide.
Whether you are a longtime follower of the PDC circuit or a newcomer eager to experience top‑level darts, the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam will deliver high‑quality competition, dramatic finishes, and memorable moments that will shape the sport’s landscape for the coming year.