Daryl Gurney has been summoned to take part in the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam after two Filipino competitors, Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo, were forced to withdraw because of unresolved Schengen visa applications. The tournament, scheduled for September 17-20, lost the two players when they could not secure the necessary travel documents in time to depart for China, where the final two stops of the PDC Asian Tour season are being held.
Both Gurney, representing Northern Ireland, and Maik Kuivenhoven of the Netherlands were the top names on the event's reserve list. As a result, they have been slotted into the main draw in place of Ilagan and Toylo. Their inclusion restores the intended field size and ensures that the competition proceeds without a gap in the bracket. Gurney’s first‑round opponent will be the tournament’s defending champion and crowd favourite, Michael van Gerwen, who will be playing on home soil at the AFAS Live arena on Thursday, September 17.
Kuivenhoven will take on Jonny Clayton a day later, completing the opening round of matches. The Dutchman, Luke Littler, who captured the 2024 title by defeating Van Gerwen 11‑7 in last year’s final, arrives in Amsterdam with the ambition of completing an unprecedented clean sweep of all major titles within a single calendar year. His path will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, as he seeks to add another trophy to his rapidly growing résumé.
World champion Michael Smith will open his campaign against Danny Noppert, while Luke Humphries is set to meet Jermaine Wattimena. In another first‑round clash, Gian van Veen will face Chris Dobey.
The full schedule for the opening day (Thursday, September 17, 18:00 CET) includes eight matches: - 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 CET) also features eight first‑round contests: - 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, September 19. The afternoon session (12:00) will see four matches, including the headline clash of Van Gerwen against Gurney, and a battle between Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock. The evening session (18:00) will feature four more ties, such as Gerwyn Price versus Brody Klinge and James Wade against Damon Heta, with the exact order of play still to be confirmed.
Sunday, September 20 will host the quarter‑finals in the afternoon and the semi‑finals followed by the final in the evening, culminating the event with a champion crowned before a packed Amsterdam crowd. Beyond the World Series Finals, Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts throughout the autumn and winter months.
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 all matches and related programming via the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience.
The addition of Gurney and Kuivenhoven underscores the importance of having a robust reserve system in place for major darts tournaments, especially when unforeseen administrative hurdles, such as visa delays, threaten to disrupt the line‑up. Their readiness to step in at short notice ensures that the competition maintains its high standard and that spectators enjoy a full slate of world‑class darts action. Overall, the World Series of Darts Finals promises a compelling blend of established stars and rising talent, with high‑stakes matches, potential upsets, and the ever‑present quest for major titles.
Whether you are a seasoned follower of the PDC circuit or a newcomer to the sport, the tournament offers plenty of drama, skillful play, and memorable moments to look forward to.