The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals kicked off on Thursday at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, featuring a stacked field that includes 2024 champion Luke Littler, world number one Luke Humphries, and home favorite Gian van Veen. However, the tournament saw an immediate upset as defending champion Michael van Gerwen was knocked out in the first round by Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney.
Gurney advanced after a late replacement, joining the draw alongside Maik Kuivenhoven of the Netherlands. Both players entered as the highest-ranked reserves following visa issues that forced the withdrawal of Filipino entrants Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo.
Littler, who claimed the Czech Darts Open title with a victory over his namesake Luke Humphries in the final, arrived in Amsterdam looking to extend a historic run. The teenager is aiming for the first clean sweep of major titles in a single calendar year since winning the 2024 World Series of Darts Final. He is set to face Dutch player Danny Noppert on Friday.
Humphries also progressed on opening night, defeating Jermaine Wattimena 6-4. The schedule features intense Round One action on Thursday, including matches between Dirk van Duijvenbode and Viktor Tingstrom, Ryan Searle and Rob Cross, and Ross Smith over Kevin Doets.
Friday’s card, beginning at 18:00 local time, includes high-profile clashes such as Gerwyn Price against Brody Klinge, James Wade versus Damon Heta, and Jonny Clayton taking on Kuivenhoven. Littler’s first-round tie against Noppert is also scheduled for the evening session.
The tournament continues on Saturday with afternoon and evening second-round matches, followed by quarter-finals and semi-finals on Sunday, culminating in the final. Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster for the event, along with upcoming darts championships including the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the World Darts Championship later in the year.
I need to know more about how Gurney and Kuivenhoven got in as reserves. The logistics here are messy.
Did the visa issues really knock out two Filipino players right before the event? That seems like a harsh way to handle it.
Luke Littler’s clean sweep chase is the story. If he wins again, that’s absolutely legendary status in darts.
Michael van Gerwen gone already? This tournament is shaping up to be incredibly unpredictable this year.