The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals took place in Amsterdam, showcasing a packed roster that included rising star Luke Littler, seasoned campaigner Luke Humphries, former world champion Gerwyn Price, and Dutch hopeful Gian van Veen. The tournament’s timetable and outcomes were closely followed by fans worldwide, especially after defending champion Michael van Gerwen suffered an early exit, losing his opening match to Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. Despite Van Gerwen’s surprising defeat, many of the sport’s marquee names continued to battle through the draw, keeping the competition intense and unpredictable.
Littler, who entered the event as the 2024 champion, opened his campaign with a spirited encounter against Dutch veteran Danny Noppert. The match was marked by a vocal Dutch crowd that expressed its displeasure through boos and whistles, creating a charged atmosphere for the 19‑year‑old Englishman. Although Littler had been bested 11‑7 by Van Gerwen in the previous year’s final, he remained determined to chase a historic clean sweep of major titles within a single season. His next challenge was a second‑round showdown against England’s Nathan Aspinall, scheduled for Saturday evening.
A victory would not only extend his run but also keep alive the possibility of adding another major to his growing résumé. The event’s schedule was divided into several sessions across three days. On Saturday, September 19, the afternoon session began at noon with four round‑two matches: Josh Rock versus Ryan Searle, Daryl Gurney taking on Ross Smith, Gian van Veen facing Karel Sedláček, and Luke Humphries battling Dirk van Duijvenbode.
The evening session, kicking off at 6 p.m., featured another quartet of round‑two fixtures: Jonny Clayton against Motomu Sakai, Gerwyn Price meeting Jim Long, James Wade playing Wessel Nijman, and the headline bout of Luke Littler versus Nathan Aspinall. Sunday, September 20, continued the tournament with the quarter‑finals slated for the afternoon session at noon, followed by the semi‑finals and the championship match in the evening session starting at 6 p.m.
These later stages promised high‑stakes darts as the remaining competitors vied for the coveted title. The tournament’s opening day, Thursday, September 17, comprised eight round‑one matches.
Highlights included Viktor Tingström’s narrow 4‑6 loss to Dirk van Duijvenbode, Rob Cross falling 2‑6 to Ryan Searle, and Karel Sedláček edging out Ben Robb 6‑4. Other notable results were Kevin Doets’ 3‑6 defeat to Ross Smith, Stephen Bunting’s 5‑6 loss to Josh Rock, and Luke Humphries’ 6‑4 victory over Jermaine Wattimena. Michael van Gerwen’s campaign ended abruptly when he was edged out 5‑6 by Daryl Gurney, a result that sent shockwaves through the crowd and reshaped the tournament’s dynamics.
Friday, September 18, saw the second set of round‑one contests. Adam Leek was edged out 5‑6 by Jim Long, while Motomu Sakai secured a 6‑5 win over Callan Rydz. Wessel Nijman defeated Simon Whitlock 6‑4, and Nathan Aspinall overcame Raymond Smith with a 6‑4 scoreline. James Wade triumphed 6‑5 over Damon Heta, and Gerwyn Price advanced with a 6‑4 victory over Brody Klinge.
In a notable match, Luke Littler dispatched Danny Noppert 6‑4, demonstrating his resilience after the earlier crowd hostility. Jonny Clayton posted a 6‑3 win over Maik Kuivenhoven, rounding out a day of compelling first‑round action.
Beyond the World Series of Darts Finals, Sky Sports continues to serve as the primary broadcaster for major darts events throughout the season. The network will also carry the World Grand Prix from September 28 to October 4, the Grand Slam of Darts from November 14 to 22, and the World Darts Championship, which runs from December 10 through January 3.
Fans can stream all of these tournaments, along with additional sports content, via the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience. For viewers seeking the best video quality, the tournament organizers recommend using the Chrome browser, which provides a more accessible and reliable video player. This technical tip ensures that fans can enjoy smooth, high‑definition coverage of each leg, checkout, and dramatic finish. In summary, the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam delivered a blend of surprise upsets, such as Van Gerwen’s first‑round loss, and thrilling performances from emerging talents like Luke Littler and established stars including Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price.
The detailed schedule outlined the progression from early‑round battles to the climactic final, while Sky Sports and NOW ensured that global audiences could follow every moment of the action. The tournament not only highlighted the depth of talent across the darts circuit but also set the stage for the upcoming slate of premier events later in the year.