Michael van Gerwen’s attempt to retain his crown at the World Series of Darts Finals was abruptly halted in the very first round, as he succumbed 6-5 to Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. The Dutch star found himself in a dramatic showdown after building a 5-4 lead, only to miss six darts at double that would have clinched the match.
Gurney, who had endured a chorus of boos and whistles from the Amsterdam crowd, steadied himself in the deciding leg and ultimately secured the victory. This defeat marks only the second occasion that van Gerwen has been knocked out in his opening match at this particular tournament, underscoring the challenges he has faced throughout a turbulent 2026 season.
The three‑time world champion, who has long been a dominant force on the professional circuit, was left to reflect on a night that could have easily swung in his favour had he capitalised on his numerous opportunities. Gurney, speaking after the win, admitted that the triumph felt like a hard‑earned reward. “It was really hard work.
I can’t remember the last time I won on a major stage,” he said, acknowledging the difficulty he has had in making deep runs at high‑profile events outside of the World Cup of Darts. He added, “I put my darts away twice because Michael had six match darts.
In all honesty, I was very lucky to even get to 5‑5 and I was desperate for trebles at the crucial moments.” The Irishman’s participation in the tournament came about under unusual circumstances. Visa complications forced the withdrawal of the Philippines representatives, Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan. As the highest‑ranked players on the reserve list, Maik Kuivenhoven from the Netherlands and Gurney were called up to fill the vacant slots, granting Gurney a late‑stage entry into the competition. The match itself began with Gurney taking a rapid 3‑0 lead, as van Gerwen failed to hit a single double in the opening legs.
However, the Dutch maestro quickly turned the tide, rattling off five consecutive legs to lead 5‑3 and appear to be on course for a comfortable victory. Gurney, refusing to surrender, clawed back a leg to make it 5‑4, then seized a crucial break of throw after van Gerwen missed a half‑dozen match darts.
Holding his nerve, Gurney closed out the encounter, earning a place in the second round where he will meet Ross Smith, who had dispatched Kevin Doets 6‑3 earlier in the day. Other first‑round action on Thursday featured several notable battles. England’s Luke Humphries edged past Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena 6‑4 in a match that showcased both flair and tension.
The opening four legs were evenly split before 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 eventually prevailed, setting up a Saturday afternoon showdown with Dirk van Duijvenbode, who had rallied from a 4‑1 deficit to defeat Sweden’s Viktor Tingstrom 6‑4. In another dramatic finish, Josh Rock staged a comeback against Stephen Bunting, overturning a 5‑2 deficit by winning the final three legs as Bunting faltered on his own match darts. Rock’s victory will see him face Ryan Searle, who breezed past Rob Cross 6‑2.
Meanwhile, Gian van Veen dispatched Chris Dobey 6‑2, and Karel Sedlacek overcame Ben Robb 6‑4 in their respective first‑round matches. The tournament’s schedule continues on Friday, with the remaining first‑round fixtures featuring 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 extend his remarkable run by capturing a second World Series of Darts Finals crown.
For fans wishing to follow the action, the event’s video player performs best in the Chrome browser. 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 contract, allowing cancellation at any time. Overall, the opening day of the World Series of Darts Finals delivered a blend of surprise upsets, nail‑biting finishes, and high‑quality darts that set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating tournament.
Van Gerwen’s early exit serves as a reminder that even the sport’s most accomplished players can be vulnerable, while Gurney’s opportunistic victory highlights the depth of talent present on the professional circuit. As the competition progresses, spectators can expect further drama, emerging storylines, and the relentless pursuit of glory from the world’s elite dart players.