Michael van Gerwen’s attempt to retain his crown at the World Series of Darts Finals was halted at the very first hurdle, as he fell 6-5 to Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. The Dutch superstar found himself in a tight battle, leading 5-4 and having six chances to close out the match, only to see Gurney force a deciding leg. In that final leg the Irishman kept his composure, despite a chorus of boos and whistles from the Amsterdam crowd, and edged out the three‑time world champion.
This defeat marks only the second occasion that van Gerwen has been knocked out in his opening match at this particular event, adding another disappointment to what has already been a challenging 2026 campaign for the former world number one. Gurney, who has struggled to make a significant impact on the sport’s biggest stages apart from his occasional World Cup of Darts appearances, described the victory as a hard‑won effort. “It was really hard work.
I can’t remember the last time I won on a major stage,” he admitted, acknowledging that his own performance had been far from flawless. “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 at every throw.” Gurney’s participation in the tournament was itself the result of an unexpected turn of events. Visa complications forced the Philippines representatives, Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan, to withdraw at the last minute.
The tournament’s reserve list then promoted the highest‑ranked alternates – Netherlands’ Maik Kuivenhoven and Gurney – to fill the vacant slots. Once on the stage, Gurney surged ahead to a 3‑0 lead, capitalising on a slow start from van Gerwen who could not even get a dart at double in the opening legs. The momentum, however, swung dramatically when the three‑time champion rattled off five consecutive legs, appearing to be back in control and on the verge of a comfortable win. The tide turned once more when Gurney halted the Dutchman’s run at 5‑4, then seized the opportunity presented by van Gerwen’s six missed match darts.
By breaking van Gerwen’s throw and holding his nerve in the final leg, Gurney secured his place in the second round, where he will meet Ross Smith, who had dispatched Kevin Doets 6‑3 earlier in the day. The opening day also featured several other noteworthy contests.
England’s Luke Humphries edged past Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena 6‑4 in a match that featured high drama and a spectacular 132 checkout (two bullseyes followed by a double 16). Humphries, after building a 5‑3 lead, missed eight match darts but eventually closed out the encounter, surviving three additional missed darts in the subsequent leg. His victory sets up a Saturday afternoon showdown with Dirk van Duijvenbode, who had earlier rallied from a 4‑1 deficit to defeat Sweden’s Viktor Tingstrom 6‑4.
In another thrilling finish, Josh Rock staged a comeback against Stephen Bunting, winning the last three legs to claim a 6‑5 win after Bunting squandered several match darts of his own. Rock’s next opponent will be Ryan Searle, who breezed past Rob Cross with a 6‑2 scoreline.
Meanwhile, Gian van Veen delivered a convincing 6‑2 triumph over Chris Dobey, and Karel Sedlacek overcame Ben Robb 6‑4. The tournament’s schedule indicated that the remainder of the first round would be completed on Friday, featuring matches involving Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Nathan Aspinall.
Littler, who has amassed every major title available to him this year, will be looking to add a second World Series of Darts Finals crown to his growing résumé. For viewers wishing to follow the action, the organizers recommend using the Chrome browser to ensure optimal video playback. The event’s first round took place on Thursday, September 17, and the full list of results includes: - 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 Fans can also look ahead to the World Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from September 28 through October 4.
Streaming options are available via NOW, with a no‑contract, cancel‑anytime model for those who prefer online access. Overall, the first round of the World Series of Darts Finals delivered a blend of surprise upsets, nail‑biting finishes, and strong performances from both seasoned veterans and emerging talents, setting the stage for an exciting second round and beyond.