The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals will take place in Amsterdam, showcasing a packed programme that includes top‑flight competitors such as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and the Dutch hopeful Gian van Veen. The tournament’s timetable, match‑ups and early results are outlined below, along with a brief recap of the defending champion’s surprising early exit and the circumstances that led to several last‑minute changes in the field.
Michael van Gerwen entered the event as the reigning champion, but his title defence was cut short when he was defeated in the opening round by Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. Gurney’s participation was itself a product of an unexpected reshuffle: two players from the Philippines, Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo, were forced to withdraw because of visa complications, opening two spots for alternates.
The reserve list’s highest‑ranked names, Daryl Gurney and Dutch player Maik Kuivenhoven, were called up to fill those vacancies. Littler, who captured the 2024 edition of the World Series of Darts Finals, is back in Amsterdam with a clear objective.
After falling 11‑7 to Van Gerwen in last year’s final, he hopes to continue his pursuit of a historic clean sweep of all major titles within a single calendar year. The English prodigy will open his campaign on Friday, facing fellow countryman Danny Noppert in a first‑round clash that promises high scoring and plenty of drama.
Below is the detailed schedule, broken down by day and session. All times are given in local (Amsterdam) time, and the order of play for some sessions will be confirmed closer to the event. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video‑player experience.
**Thursday, 17 September – Round One (Eight matches)** - Viktor Tingstrom 4‑6 Dirk van Duijvenbode - Rob Cross 2‑6 Ryan Searle - Karel Sedlacek 6‑4 Ben Robb - Kevin Doets 3‑6 Ross Smith - Stephen Bunting 5‑6 Josh Rock - Luke Humphries 6‑4 Jermaine Wattimena - Michael van Gerwen 5‑6 Daryl Gurney - Gian van Veen 6‑2 Chris Dobey **Friday, 18 September – Round One (Eight matches, 18:00 start)** - 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) – Round Two (Four matches)** - Daryl Gurney vs Ross Smith - Josh Rock vs Ryan Searle - Luke Humphries vs Dirk van Duijvenbode - Gian van Veen vs Karel Sedlacek **Saturday, 19 September – Evening Session (18:00) – Round Two (Four matches)** - 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 **Sunday, 20 September – Afternoon Session (12:00) – Quarter‑Finals** (Exact pairings to be announced) **Sunday, 20 September – Evening Session (18:00) – Semi‑Finals followed by the Final** (Exact pairings to be announced) The World Series of Darts Finals is part of a broader darts calendar that sees Sky Sports retain broadcasting rights for the sport’s marquee events. In the weeks following the Amsterdam finale, fans can look forward to the World Grand Prix (28 September – 4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14 – 22 November) and the season‑ending World Darts Championship (10 December – 3 January). All of these tournaments will be streamed live on the NOW platform, with the added benefit of a contract‑free viewing option. For those unfamiliar with the tournament’s format, the World Series of Darts Finals typically features 24 players: the eight invited elite competitors, eight qualifiers from the World Series circuit, and eight reserve players who fill any gaps caused by withdrawals or visa issues.
Matches are played over a best‑of‑11 legs format in the early rounds, extending to best‑of‑13 or best‑of‑15 as the event progresses toward the final. The prize fund is substantial, with the champion taking home a six‑figure sum, while all participants receive a share based on how far they advance. Amsterdam’s venue, the historic Ziggo Dome, provides a vibrant atmosphere that combines state‑of‑the‑art lighting with a passionate crowd of Dutch darts enthusiasts. The city’s central location also makes it a convenient hub for international fans traveling from across Europe and beyond.
Organisers have emphasized health and safety measures, ensuring that the tournament proceeds smoothly even amid ongoing public‑health considerations. In summary, the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals promises a thrilling week of high‑octane competition, surprising upsets, and the chance for emerging talents like Littler and van Veen to challenge established stars such as Price, Humphries and van Gerwen. Whether you are a seasoned follower of the sport or a newcomer looking for an exciting introduction, the schedule above offers a clear roadmap to the action. Be sure to tune in via Sky Sports or the NOW streaming service to catch every dart, double, and finishing flourish as the world’s best aim for glory in the Dutch capital.