Michael van Gerwen saw his bid to retain the World Series of Darts Finals title snapped in the very first round, falling 6-5 to Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney in a tightly contested match that went down to the final leg. The Dutch star, who entered the tournament as one of the sport’s most dominant figures, found himself on the wrong side of six missed match darts after leading 5-4, allowing Gurney to force a decider. The decisive leg was won by Gurney, who managed to keep his composure despite a chorus of boos and whistles from the Amsterdam crowd that seemed to be rooting for their home hero. This upset marks only the second occasion that van Gerwen has been knocked out in his opening match at this particular event, underscoring the challenges he has faced throughout a difficult 2026 season.
The loss adds to a growing list of early exits for the three‑time world champion, highlighting how even the most seasoned players can be vulnerable when the pressure mounts. Gurney, who has struggled to make a consistent impact on the biggest stages in recent years apart from his occasional success in the World Cup of Darts, expressed a mixture of relief and disbelief after the victory. "It was really hard work.
I can’t remember the last time I won on a major stage," he said, acknowledging the rarity of his triumph. He went on to explain the thin margin that separated the two competitors: "I hit my darts twice because Michael had six match darts.
In all honesty, I was very lucky to even get to 5‑5 and I needed trebles at the crucial moments." Gurney’s presence in the tournament was itself the result of an unexpected turn of events. He received a late invitation after visa complications forced the withdrawal of the Philippines representatives Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan. As the highest‑ranked players on the reserve list, both the Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven and Gurney were slotted into the vacant spots, giving Gurney a chance to rewrite his recent narrative on the world stage.
The match itself began with Gurney taking an early 3‑0 lead, a run that saw van Gerwen unable to even get a dart at a double. However, the Dutch legend quickly rallied, claiming the next five legs and appearing to have the match firmly in his grasp.
At 5‑4, van Gerwen seemed poised to close out the contest, but Gurney halted the momentum, forcing a tie at 5‑5 after capitalising on a series of missed match darts by the champion. In the final leg, Gurney held his nerve, breaking van Gerwen’s throw and securing his place in the second round, where he will face Ross Smith, the player who earlier dispatched Kevin Doets 6‑3. Other notable first‑round action included Luke Humphries overcoming Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena 6‑4 in a match that also featured dramatic swings.
After sharing the opening four legs, Humphries produced a spectacular 132 checkout (two bullseyes followed by a double 16) to take the lead. Despite later missing eight match darts while ahead 5‑3, Humphries managed to close out the match, eventually setting up a second‑round encounter with Dirk van Duijvenbode, who had fought back from 4‑1 down to defeat Sweden’s Viktor Tingstrom 6‑4. Josh Rock staged a comeback of his own, edging out Stephen Bunting 6‑5 by winning the final three legs after Bunting missed his own match darts.
Rock’s victory will see him meet Ryan Searle, who comfortably beat Rob Cross 6‑2. Meanwhile, Gian van Veen dispatched Chris Dobey 6‑2, and Karel Sedlacek overcame Ben Robb 6‑4 in the remaining first‑round fixtures. The tournament’s schedule continues on Friday, with the remaining first‑round matches featuring Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Nathan Aspinall. Littler, who has captured every major title available to him this year, will be looking to add another World Series of Darts Finals crown to his rapidly growing résumé.
For viewers wishing to follow the action, the organizers recommend using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. The World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from September 28 through October 4, and can be streamed via NOW without a long‑term contract, allowing fans to cancel at any time. Overall, the opening day of the World Series of Darts Finals delivered a blend of surprise upsets, high‑pressure finishes, and the emergence of new storylines that promise to shape the remainder of the tournament.
Van Gerwen’s early exit serves as a reminder that even the most decorated players can be vulnerable, while Gurney’s unexpected run illustrates how opportunity can arise from unforeseen circumstances, such as visa issues affecting other competitors. As the field narrows, the stakes will only increase, setting the stage for further thrilling encounters in the days ahead.