Michael van Gerwen saw his bid to retain the World Series of Darts Finals crown come to an abrupt halt in the very first round, succumbing to a 6-5 defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. The Dutch star, who entered the tournament as one of the sport’s biggest names, found himself staring at six missed match darts while leading 5-4, only to be forced into a sudden‑death leg that Gurney clinched despite a chorus of boos and whistles from the Amsterdam crowd.
This loss marks only the second occasion that Van Gerwen has been knocked out in his opening match at this particular event, underscoring the difficulties he has endured throughout a challenging 2026 season. The Dutchman’s early exit adds to a growing list of setbacks that have seen him struggle to replicate the dominance he displayed in earlier years. Gurney, who has not consistently shone on the sport’s biggest stages outside of his occasional World Cup of Darts appearances, described his victory as a product of hard work and a touch of fortune.
"It was really hard work. I can’t remember the last time I won on a major stage," he said after the match. He went on to explain the fine margins that decided the outcome: "I hit my darts twice because Michael had six match darts.
Honestly, I was very lucky to even get to 5‑5, and when I had the throw I was thinking, ‘please, I need trebles.’" Gurney’s participation in the tournament was itself a story of last‑minute opportunity. Visa complications forced the withdrawal of the Philippines representatives Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan, opening two spots on the field. The reserve list, ordered by ranking, promoted the Netherlands’ Maik Kuivenhoven and Gurney to fill the vacancies, granting the Irishman a chance to compete that he seized with a memorable upset. The match itself began with Gurney surging to a 3-0 lead, as Van Gerwen failed to hit a single double in the opening trio of legs.
However, the three‑time world champion quickly rallied, taking the next five legs in succession and appearing to be on course for a comfortable win. Gurney, refusing to surrender, halted the Dutchman’s momentum at 5-4, then capitalised on Van Gerwen’s six missed match darts to break serve and hold his nerve in the deciding leg.
The victory propelled Gurney into the second round, where he will face Ross Smith, who earlier dispatched Kevin Doets 6-3. The night featured several other dramatic encounters.
England’s Luke Humphries edged past Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 in a match that featured a spectacular 132 checkout (two bullseyes followed by a double 16). Despite leading 5-3, Humphries missed eight match darts before finally sealing the win, later missing three more in the subsequent leg. His triumph set up a clash with Dirk van Duijvenbode in the Saturday afternoon second round. Van Duijvenbode had earlier rallied from a 4-1 deficit to defeat Sweden’s Viktor Tingstrom 6-4.
In another notable comeback, Josh Rock overturned a 5-4 deficit against Stephen Bunting, winning the final three legs after Bunting missed 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 Sedlacek edged Ben Robb 6-4 in their respective first‑round matches.
The tournament’s first round will conclude on Friday with a slate of high‑profile fixtures, including 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 growing résumé.
Beyond the immediate results, the event serves as a reminder of the depth and unpredictability of modern professional darts. Players who might be considered reserves or late entrants can, as Gurney demonstrated, seize the moment and upset the sport’s most established stars. For Van Gerwen, the loss is a stark illustration of a season that has seen his once‑unassailable form waver, prompting questions about how he will regroup and whether he can rediscover the consistency that made him a three‑time world champion.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage of the World Grand Prix scheduled from September 28 to October 4. Those who prefer streaming can access Sky Sports through the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option. The tournament’s organizers also recommend using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, ensuring viewers can enjoy every high‑tension leg without technical interruptions.
Overall, the opening round of the World Series of Darts Finals delivered a blend of surprise upsets, nail‑biting finishes, and a showcase of emerging talent ready to challenge the sport’s elite. As the competition moves into its later stages, spectators can anticipate further drama, with the remaining big‑name players fighting to stay alive and the underdogs looking to write their own chapters in darts history.