Michael van Gerwen saw his attempt to retain the World Series of Darts Finals crown cut short in the very first round, falling 6-5 to Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. The Dutch star had a chance to close out the match at 5-4, but he missed six darts at double, allowing Gurney to force a deciding leg. In that final leg the Irishman kept his composure despite a chorus of boos and whistles from the Amsterdam supporters and clinched the victory.
It was only the second occasion that van Gerwen has been knocked out at his opening match in this tournament, adding another disappointment to what has already been a challenging 2026 campaign for the three‑time world champion. "It was really hard work. I can’t remember the last time I won on a major stage," Gurney admitted after the win, noting that he has struggled to make a deep run in big‑stage events outside of the World Cup of Darts in recent years. Gurney explained the thin margin that separated the two players: "I hit my darts twice because Michael had six match darts.
Honestly, I was very lucky to even get to 5‑5 and I needed trebles on my throw – I was thinking ‘please, I need a treble now’." His comments highlight how a few missed opportunities can swing a tightly contested match. The Irishman’s participation in the event was itself a late‑breaking development. Visa complications forced the Philippines representatives, Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan, to withdraw. The tournament’s reserve list then promoted the highest‑ranked players, Maik Kuivenhoven of the Netherlands and Gurney, to fill the vacant slots.
The match itself began with Gurney racing to a 3‑0 lead; van Gerwen could not even land a dart at double during those opening legs. However, the Dutchman rallied dramatically, taking the next five legs in succession and appearing to have the match under control. Gurney, refusing to surrender, halted the momentum at 5‑4, and when van Gerwen missed a half‑dozen match darts, the Irishman broke serve and held his nerve to force the final leg. His composure earned him a place in the second round, where he will meet Ross Smith, who had dispatched Kevin Doets 6‑3 earlier in the day.
The first round produced several other notable encounters. England’s Luke Humphries edged past Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena 6‑4 in a thriller that featured a spectacular 132 checkout (bullseye, bullseye, double 16). Despite leading 5‑3, Humphries missed eight match darts, then three more in the following leg, before finally sealing the win and setting up a Saturday afternoon showdown with Dirk van Duijvenbode. Van Duijvenbode himself had mounted a comeback against Sweden’s Viktor Tingström, overturning a 4‑1 deficit to win 6‑4.
In another dramatic finish, Josh Rock rallied from behind to beat Stephen Bunting 6‑5, snatching the last three legs after Bunting failed to hit his own match darts. Rock’s next opponent will be Ryan Searle, who breezed past Rob Cross 6‑2. Meanwhile, Gian van Veen dispatched Chris Dobey 6‑2, and Karel Sedláček overcame Ben Robb 6‑4. The tournament’s schedule indicated that the first‑round action would continue on Friday, featuring matches involving 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 a second World Series of Darts Finals crown to his résumé. For viewers wishing to follow the competition, the organizers recommend using the Chrome browser to ensure the most accessible video player experience.
The event’s opening round took place on Thursday, September 17, and the full list of results includes: - Viktor Tingström 4‑6 Dirk van Duijvenbode - Rob Cross 2‑6 Ryan Searle - Karel Sedláček 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 Fans can also look ahead to the World Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from September 28 through October 4. The matches will be streamed via NOW, with a flexible, contract‑free subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
Overall, the first day of the World Series of Darts Finals delivered a mix of surprise upsets, nail‑biting finishes, and high‑quality darts. Van Gerwen’s early exit serves as a reminder that even the sport’s biggest names can be vulnerable when the margins are razor‑thin, while Gurney’s triumph underscores the importance of resilience and seizing every opportunity when the pressure mounts.