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 of unresolved Schengen visa applications. The tournament, scheduled for September 17‑20, lost the pair when they could not secure the necessary travel documents before departing for the final two stops of the PDC Asian Tour in China. Both Gurney, representing Northern Ireland, and Maik Kuivenhoven from the Netherlands were the top‑ranked players on the event’s reserve list.
Their positions on the list meant they automatically filled the vacant slots left by Ilagan and Toylo. The decision came after the Philippines players failed to receive a visa ruling in time, leaving the organizers with no alternative but to turn to the highest‑ranked alternates.
Gurney’s first‑round opponent will be the defending champion and Dutch crowd favorite Michael van Gerwen. The match is slated for Thursday, September 17, at the AFAS Live arena. Kuivenhoven, meanwhile, will take on Jonny Clayton the following day, also in the opening round. Both fixtures set the stage for a dramatic start to a tournament that already promises high‑quality darts and a packed schedule of matches.
Returning to Amsterdam is Luke Littler, the 2024 champion who fell 11‑7 to van Gerwen in last year’s final. Littler is determined to keep his campaign for a historic clean sweep of all major titles within a single calendar year alive. The world champion, Michael Smith, will open his defense against Danny Noppert, while Luke Humphries is drawn against Jermaine Wattimena.
Gian van Veen will meet Chris Dobey in another first‑round clash. The full first‑round lineup for Thursday, September 17, at 18:00 includes: - 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 matches (also at 18:00) feature: - 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: - Van Gerwen/Gurney vs Kevin Doets/Ross Smith - Stephen Bunting/Josh Rock vs Rob Cross/Ryan Searle - Luke Humphries/Jermaine Wattimena vs Viktor Tingstrom/Dirk van Duijvenbode - Gian van Veen/Chris Dobey vs Karel Sedlacek/Ben Robb The evening session (18:00) will also host four contests: - Gerwyn Price/Brody Klinge vs Adam Leek/Jim Long - James Wade/Damon Heta vs Wessel Nijman/Simon Whitlock - Luke Littler/Danny Noppert vs Nathan Aspinall/Raymond Smith - Jonny Clayton/Maik Kuivenhoven vs Motomu Sakai/Callan Rydz Saturday’s schedule will be confirmed closer to the event. The final day, Sunday, September 20, will feature the quarter‑finals in the afternoon (12:00), followed by the semi‑finals and the championship match in the evening (18:00).
Beyond the World Series of Darts Finals, the sport’s broadcast calendar remains robust. Sky Sports continues to be the primary home for darts, covering 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). Fans can also stream live coverage and additional darts content via the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience. The inclusion of Gurney and Kuivenhoven underscores the depth of talent on the PDC circuit and highlights how quickly the competitive landscape can shift when administrative hurdles, such as visa approvals, intervene.
Both alternates will have the opportunity to showcase their skill on one of the sport’s biggest stages, potentially turning a last‑minute call‑up into a career‑defining performance. For spectators, the tournament promises a blend of established stars and emerging talent. Michael van Gerwen, aiming to defend his title, will face a motivated Gurney eager to prove his worth.
Meanwhile, the Dutch crowd will get to see their local hero Maik Kuivenhoven take on Jonny Clayton, a match that could produce a thrilling upset. In addition to the on‑stage action, organizers have advised fans to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience, ensuring smooth playback of live streams and replays. This technical recommendation aims to enhance the viewing experience for a global audience that will be tuning in from various time zones. Overall, the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam is set to deliver high‑octane competition, unexpected storylines, and the chance for reserve players like Gurney and Kuivenhoven to make a lasting impression on the sport’s biggest stage.