Daryl Gurney has been summoned to compete in the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam after two Filipino competitors, Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo, were forced to withdraw because their Schengen visa applications remained undecided. The timing of the visa uncertainty clashed with the players' need to travel to China for the concluding events of the PDC Asian Tour, leaving them unable to join the September 17‑20 tournament in the Netherlands. Both Gurney, representing Northern Ireland, and Maik Kuivenhoven from the Netherlands were the top‑ranked names on the official reserve list.
As a result, they have been slotted in to replace Ilagan and Toylo respectively. Their inclusion restores a full draw and ensures that the competition proceeds without a gap caused by the administrative setback. Gurney’s opening match pits him against the defending champion and Dutch crowd favourite Michael van Gerwen. The showdown is scheduled for the first round at AFAS Live on Thursday, 17 September.
Kuivenhoven will take on Jonny Clayton a day later, giving the Dutch fan base an additional local hero to cheer. Returning to the event is Luke Littler, the 2024 champion who fell 11‑7 to van Gerwen in last year’s final. Littler travels to Amsterdam with a clear objective: to keep his pursuit of a historic clean sweep of all major titles in a single season alive. The world champion, Michael van Gerwen, will also be on the opening day, facing Danny Noppert in his first‑round encounter.
Other notable first‑round pairings include Luke Humphries versus Jermaine Wattimena and Gian van Veen against Chris Dobey. The full slate for Thursday, 17 September, at 18:00 (local time) reads as follows: - Viktor Tingstrom vs Dirk van Duijvenbode - 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 Daryl Gurney - Gian van Veen vs Chris Dobey Friday’s first round, also at 18:00, features another eight 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 Maik Kuivenhoven The second round begins on Saturday, 19 September. The afternoon session (12:00) will host four matches, including the highly anticipated Van Gerwen/Gurney clash against the duo of Kevin Doets and Ross Smith, as well as a Bunting/Rock versus Cross/Searle encounter.
The evening session (18:00) will see Price/Klinge take on Leek/Long, Wade/Heta face Nijman/Whitlock, Littler/Noppert battle Aspinall/Raymond Smith, and Clayton/Kuivenhoven meet Sakai/Rydz. Exact start times will be confirmed closer to the event. Sunday, 20 September, marks the quarter‑finals in the afternoon (12:00) followed by the semi‑finals and the final in the evening (18:00). The culmination of the tournament will determine who adds the World Series of Darts title to their résumé.
Beyond the World Series, Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts throughout the season. Upcoming televised events include the World Grand Prix (28 September‑4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November), and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January). Fans can also stream live coverage and additional darts content via the NOW platform without committing to a long‑term contract. For viewers seeking the best possible viewing experience, using the Chrome browser is recommended to ensure optimal performance of the video player.
This technical tip helps avoid playback issues and provides smoother streaming for the high‑stakes matches. In summary, Daryl Gurney’s late entry into the Amsterdam finals underscores how visa complications can ripple through international sport, creating opportunities for reserve players who are ready to step onto the big stage. The tournament promises a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, with numerous compelling match‑ups that will shape the narrative of the 2024 darts season.
Whether you are a casual fan or a dedicated follower of the PDC circuit, the World Series of Darts Finals offers a thrilling showcase of skill, resilience, and the unpredictable drama that makes the sport so captivating.