The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam delivered a thrilling opening day, marked by incredible comebacks and star performances. Luke Littler fought back from 3-1 down to defeat Danny Noppert 6-4, setting up a blockbuster rematch with Nathan Aspinall. Other big names like Gerwyn Price and James Wade also advanced, with several players, including Jim Long and Motomu Sakai, staging dramatic turnarounds to secure their spots in round two. The stage is now set for an action-packed Saturday, promising more high-stakes darts.
Littler Survives Scare, Sets Up Aspinall Showdown
Amsterdam witnessed a gripping start to the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals as reigning champion Luke Littler faced a tough challenge from Dutch star Danny Noppert. Despite struggling with his finishing on the crucial “outer-ring” (the double segments), Littler showcased his fighting spirit.
- Initially, Littler trailed 3-1 to Noppert, the former UK Open champion.
- He then rallied, winning three consecutive legs to take a 4-3 lead.
- After Noppert leveled at 4-4, Littler displayed “incredible gumption,” finishing a crucial 95 with a tops-tops (hitting double-20 twice) before sealing the match 6-4 with a rapid 12-darter.
“Coming back from a losing position to win is always a great feeling,” commented Littler, who maintained an impressive average of over 98 despite his 30% success rate on doubles. He emphasized his focus: “I’m not putting pressure on myself. I am just focusing on round by round.”
Anticipated Rematch: Littler vs. Aspinall
Littler’s pursuit of a “Premier event clean sweep” continues with a highly anticipated second-round clash against Nathan Aspinall. This match is a rematch of their sensational World Matchplay contest, promising another classic encounter.
“Nathan always throws everything at me. He produces his best, I perform at my best, and hopefully, it’s another great game tomorrow,” said Littler, acknowledging the significance of a potential clean sweep as “one of the best darts achievements.”
Aspinall himself secured his spot by triumphing 6-4 against Raymond Smith, winning four legs consecutively. This marks his first time reaching round two since finishing runner-up in Amsterdam in 2023.
Price Dominates Early, Wade and Long Stage Epic Comebacks
The first day was also defined by strong performances and dramatic turnarounds from other top players.
Gerwyn Price Powers Through
Welsh number one Gerwyn Price delivered a commanding display against Australian Darts Masters runner-up Brody Klinge, securing a 6-4 victory. Price missed only one dart at a double throughout the match, initially leading a dominant 5-0. Despite Klinge’s spirited four-leg fightback, which included two impressive “ton-plus checkouts” (finishing a score of 100 or more with three darts), Price sealed the win with a 14-dart hold of throw.
“I started off well and then dropped off and let Brody back into the game,” Price admitted. “He took out a couple of big checkouts which hurt a little bit, so then it was about trying to fall across the winning line. We’re going into the back end of the season now and I believe there are some majors that I can win, and some that I’m targeting as well.” Price will face Canada’s Jim Long in round two.
Unbelievable Escapes: Long and Wade
The crowd witnessed two incredible escapes:
- Jim Long fought back from a seemingly insurmountable 4-0 deficit against Adam Leek. He survived a match dart (a single dart that would have won the match for his opponent) to pip the Australian in a thrilling last-leg decider.
- 2018 champion James Wade also survived a match dart against Australian number one Damon Heta. Despite Heta hitting five maximums (180s), Wade edged past him in a nail-biting last-leg decider.
Wade will now face Dutchman Wessel Nijman, who delighted the home crowd with a 6-4 victory over Australian icon Simon Whitlock, thanks to a stellar 98 average. Nijman, an eight-time ranking title winner in 2026, expressed his growing confidence: “All the titles I’ve won this year makes everything feel different. It gives you more confidence and I definitely feel more confident coming into this weekend.”
Other Stars Advance & What’s Next
Jonny Clayton, the 2021 champion, saw off Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 in a “scrappy affair” and will face Motomu Sakai in round two. Sakai made history as the first Japanese player at the World Series Finals, defeating Callan Rydz in a last-leg shootout after nearly squandering a 4-1 lead.
Saturday’s Action: Double Session Delivers More Darts Drama
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals continues on Saturday with a double session, promising more intense competition:
- Afternoon Session (Four Round Two Ties):
- Dutch number one Gian van Veen faces Karel Sedlacek.
- World number two Luke Humphries takes on Dirk van Duijvenbode.
- Evening Session (Four More Round Two Matches):
- Friday’s victors return to the oche.
- This includes former champions Littler, Price, Wade, and Clayton, who will continue their campaigns.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
