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 pull out because their Schengen visa applications were still pending. The tournament, which runs from September 17 to September 20, had to replace the two players quickly, and the highest‑ranked names on the reserve list – Northern Ireland’s Gurney and Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven – were chosen to fill the vacancies. Both Ilagan and Toylo were scheduled to travel to China later in the week for the concluding stops of the PDC Asian Tour, and the lack of a visa decision left them no alternative but to withdraw. Gurney’s first‑round opponent will be the defending champion and Dutch crowd favourite Michael van Gerwen, with the match set for Thursday, September 17, at the AFAS Live arena.
Kuivenhoven, the other replacement, will take on Jonny Clayton a day later. The reshuffle also keeps the broader storyline of the event intact: Luke Littler, who captured the 2024 title by beating van Gerwen 11‑7 in last year’s final, is back in Amsterdam with the ambition of completing a historic clean sweep of all major darts tournaments within a single calendar year. The world champion himself, Michael van Gerwen, will open his campaign against Danny Noppert. The schedule for the opening day features eight first‑round matches at 18:00, including Viktor Tingstrom versus Dirk van Duijvenbode, Rob Cross against Ryan Searle, Karel Sedlacek playing Ben Robb, Kevin Doets meeting Ross Smith, Stephen Bunting versus Josh Rock, Luke Humphries versus Jermaine Wattimena, Michael van Gerwen against Daryl Gurney, and Gian van Veen taking on Chris Dobey.
The following day, September 18, also begins at 18:00 with another slate of eight matches: Adam Leek versus Jim Long, Motomu Sakai against Callan Rydz, Wessel Nijman versus Simon Whitlock, Nathan Aspinall versus Raymond Smith, James Wade versus Damon Heta, Gerwyn Price versus Brody Klinge, Luke Littler versus Danny Noppert, and Jonny Clayton versus Maik Kuivenhoven. The second round is split into two sessions on September 19. The afternoon session (12:00) will see four matches: the van Gerwen‑Gurney pair versus the Doets‑Smith duo, Bunting‑Rock taking on Cross‑Searle, Humphries‑Wattimena against Tingstrom‑van Duijvenbode, and van Veen‑Dobey versus Sedlacek‑Robb. The evening session (18:00) will feature Price‑Klinge versus Leek‑Long, Wade‑Heta versus Nijman‑Whitlock, Littler‑Noppert versus Aspinall‑Smith, and Clayton‑Kuivenhoven versus Sakai‑Rydz.
On September 20, the afternoon session (12:00) hosts the quarter‑finals, followed by the evening session (18:00) which will present the semi‑finals and the championship match. Beyond the World Series of Darts Finals, Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for the sport’s marquee events. The network will carry the World Grand Prix from September 28 to October 4, the Grand Slam of Darts in mid‑November (14‑22), and the World Darts Championship, which kicks off on December 10 and runs into the new year, concluding on January 3. Fans can also stream all of these competitions, along with additional darts content, via the NOW platform without the need for a long‑term contract.
The visa issue that prompted Ilagan and Toylo’s withdrawal underscores the logistical challenges that can affect international darts players, especially when competing across multiple continents in a short timeframe. The Schengen area, which includes the Netherlands, requires a specific travel permit for non‑EU citizens, and delays in processing can have a direct impact on tournament line‑ups. In this case, the PDC’s reserve system proved effective, allowing two qualified alternates to step in seamlessly and maintain the integrity of the draw. For Gurney, the sudden inclusion is both an opportunity and a test.
He will be facing a player of van Gerwen’s calibre – a multiple‑time world champion known for his explosive scoring and fierce competitiveness – in his opening match. A victory would not only propel Gurney deeper into a high‑profile event but also provide a morale boost ahead of the remainder of the PDC season.
Kuivenhoven, meanwhile, will be looking to capitalize on his chance against the experienced Jonny Clayton, hoping to make a statement on a big stage. Overall, the World Series of Darts Finals promises an action‑packed four days of high‑stakes competition, with a blend of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and newly‑added participants all vying for the title. The tournament’s format, featuring a mix of best‑of‑11 and best‑of‑15 legs, ensures that each match can swing dramatically, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
Whether watching live at AFAS Live, tuning in via Sky Sports, or streaming through NOW, fans can expect a showcase of precision, nerve, and the occasional upset as the darts world converges in Amsterdam for this prestigious finale.