Daryl Gurney has been summoned to take part in the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam after two players from the Philippines were forced to withdraw because of visa complications. The original entrants, Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo, were unable to secure the necessary Schengen visas in time for the tournament, which runs from September 17 to 20, and therefore had to give up their spots. The PDC’s reserve list was consulted, and the highest‑ranked alternates – Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney and Dutch competitor Maik Kuivenhoven – were selected to fill the vacancies left by Ilagan and Toylo.
Both alternates had been waiting on the list and were ready to step in at a moment’s notice, and their inclusion restores the full complement of sixteen players for the opening round. Gurney’s first‑round opponent will be the defending champion and local favourite Michael van Gerwen, who will be playing on the home stage at AFAS Live on Thursday, September 17.
Kuivenhoven, on the other hand, will open his campaign the following day against Jonny Clayton, a seasoned veteran who has previously reached the latter stages of several major PDC events. The tournament also features Luke Littler, the 2024 World Series champion, who was beaten 11‑7 by van Gerwen in last year’s final. Littler arrives in Amsterdam with the ambition of completing an unprecedented clean sweep of all major titles within a single calendar year – a feat no player has ever achieved in the modern era of darts.
He will be looking to build on his recent success and add another trophy to his growing collection. World champion Michael Smith will be paired with Dutchman Danny Noppert in the opening round, while other notable match‑ups include Luke Humphries versus Jermaine Wattimena and Gian van Veen against Chris Dobey.
The schedule is packed with eight first‑round matches on each of the first two days, followed by a series of second‑round fixtures and culminating in quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final on Sunday. Below is a concise rundown of the full programme: **Thursday, 17 September (18:00)** – First round: - Viktor Tingström vs Dirk van Duijvenbode - Rob Cross vs Ryan Searle - Karel Sedláček 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, 18 September (18:00)** – First round: - 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, 19 September – Afternoon Session (12:00)** – Second round (four matches): - Van Gerwen/Gurney vs Doets/Smith - Bunting/Rock vs Cross/Searle - Humphries/Wattimena vs Tingström/van Duijvenbode - Van Veen/Dobey vs Sedláček/Robb **Saturday, 19 September – Evening Session (18:00)** – Second round (four matches): - Price/Klinge vs Leek/Long - Wade/Heta vs Nijman/Whitlock - Littler/Noppert vs Aspinall/Smith - Clayton/Kuivenhoven vs Sakai/Rydz **Sunday, 20 September – Afternoon Session (12:00)** – Quarter‑finals **Sunday, 20 September – Evening Session (18:00)** – Semi‑finals and Final The World Series of Darts Finals is a key stop on the professional circuit and offers valuable ranking points, a substantial prize fund, and the chance for players to test themselves against the sport’s elite in a high‑pressure environment. For Gurney, the sudden call‑up provides an unexpected opportunity to face the world’s top talent and potentially make a deep run in a tournament that could boost his standing on the Order of Merit.
Beyond the immediate competition, the event serves as a showcase for the growing global reach of darts. The visa difficulties that sidelined Ilagan and Toylo highlight the logistical challenges that players from emerging markets still face when trying to compete in Europe. Their absence is a reminder that the sport’s governing bodies continue to work on simplifying travel arrangements and ensuring that talent from all corners of the world can participate without undue bureaucratic hurdles.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, which will also broadcast upcoming marquee events such as 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). For viewers who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers live coverage without the need for a long‑term contract, providing flexible access to darts’ biggest moments.
In summary, Daryl Gurney’s late inclusion adds a fresh storyline to an already exciting field, while the tournament schedule promises a full slate of high‑octane matches. Whether you are a casual follower or a die‑hard darts enthusiast, the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam is set to deliver drama, skill, and the occasional upset as the world’s best compete for the coveted title.