Daryl Gurney has been summoned to compete in the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam after two Filipino representatives, Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo, were forced to withdraw because their Schengen visa applications were not resolved in time. The tournament, which runs from September 17 to 20, had to replace the absent players quickly, and the highest‑ranked individuals on the PDC’s reserve list were called up. From Northern Ireland, Gurney earned the first spot, while Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven took the second vacancy, stepping in for Ilagan and Toylo respectively.
The visa delay stemmed from the players’ need to travel to China later in the week for the concluding events of the PDC Asian Tour season. With their applications still pending, the PDC could not guarantee that they would be able to enter the Netherlands for the finals, and the organization opted to fill the draw with the next eligible competitors. Both Gurney and Kuivenhoven are seasoned professionals who have been hovering near the top of the rankings, making them logical choices to maintain the competitive integrity of the event. Gurney’s first‑round opponent will be none other than the defending champion and Dutch crowd favorite, Michael van Gerwen.
The match is slated for Thursday, September 17, at the AFAS Live arena. Van Gerwen, who captured the title last year, will be looking to defend his crown against a determined Gurney, who has a reputation for thriving under pressure.
Kuivenhoven, on the other hand, will open his campaign the following day against Jonny Clayton, another high‑profile contender who has been a consistent presence in the latter stages of major tournaments. The tournament also features Luke Littler, the 2024 champion who fell 11‑7 to van Gerwen in the previous year’s final. Littler arrives in Amsterdam with the ambition of completing a historic clean sweep of all major titles within a single calendar year—a feat that has never been achieved.
He will be aiming to keep his momentum alive as he navigates a field that includes many of the sport’s biggest names. World champion Michael Smith will be taking on Danny Noppert in his opening match, while other notable pairings include Luke Humphries versus Jermaine Wattimena and Gian van Veen against Chris Dobey. The schedule is packed with eight first‑round matches each day for the first two days, followed by a series of second‑round and quarter‑final clashes that will narrow the field toward the semi‑finals and ultimately the championship match.
Here is a concise overview of the draw: **Thursday, September 17 – 18:00 (Round One)** - 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, September 18 – 18:00 (Round One)** - 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 **Saturday, September 19 – Afternoon Session (12:00, Round Two)** - Van Gerwen/Gurney vs Doets/Ross Smith - Bunting/Rock vs Cross/Searle - Humphries/Wattimena vs Tingstrom/Van Duijvenbode - Van Veen/Dobey vs Sedlacek/Robb **Saturday, September 19 – Evening Session (18:00, Round Two)** - Price/Klinge vs Leek/Long - Wade/Heta vs Nijman/Whitlock - Littler/Noppert vs Aspinall/Raymond Smith - Clayton/Kuivenhoven vs Sakai/Rydz **Sunday, September 20 – Afternoon Session (12:00) – Quarter‑Finals** *Match‑ups to be confirmed based on earlier results.* **Sunday, September 20 – Evening Session (18:00) – Semi‑Finals and Final** *The climax of the tournament will determine the new World Series champion.* Fans are encouraged to watch the action via Sky Sports, which continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts in the United Kingdom. In addition to the World Series of Darts Finals, Sky Sports will also air the World Grand Prix (September 28‑October 4), the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14‑22), and the World Darts Championship (December 10‑January 3). For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers live coverage without a long‑term contract, ensuring that viewers can follow every dart‑throwing moment from the comfort of their own devices. The inclusion of Gurney and Kuivenhoven underscores the fluid nature of professional darts, where travel logistics and visa regulations can have a direct impact on tournament line‑ups.
Their participation adds another layer of intrigue to an already star‑studded field, and spectators can look forward to high‑quality matches as the players vie for the coveted title and a share of the prize fund. Overall, the World Series of Darts Finals promises to deliver drama, skill, and unforgettable moments, with the added storyline of last‑minute replacements and the quest for historic achievements. Whether you are a long‑time follower of the sport or a newcomer, the event offers a compelling showcase of the best darts talent in the world, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Amsterdam’s AFAS Live arena.