Professional darts is now a year-round spectacle, captivating audiences from the Netherlands to New Zealand. Every week, top players compete in tournaments worldwide, and this week, May 18-24, is no exception. Get ready for a thrilling lineup of events!
This week, May 18-24, promises a whirlwind of professional darts action across the globe. Dutch players, notably Wessel Nijman, have recently dominated the Players Championships, but with absences from stars like Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen, the field is wide open. Expect crucial European Tour qualifiers, where World Matchplay spots are on the line. Meanwhile, the Premier League concludes its league phase with the battle for third place to avoid Luke Littler being the main event. Down Under, the DPNZ Pro Tour continues, and the WDF circuit offers coveted World Championship places at the Toronto Area Open.
Players Championship & European Tour Qualifiers: May 18-20, Leicester
The past five weeks have seen an incredible surge of success for Dutch players on the ProTour. They’ve clinched **five of the last eight Players Championship titles**, showcasing their formidable talent.
- **Wessel Nijman has been a standout, securing three victories.**
- Compatriots Kevin Doets and Michael van Gerwen have also tasted success.
This week in Leicester, two more titles are up for grabs. However, some big names will be absent:
- **Luke Littler, as is often the case for these events, will not be competing.**
- **Michael van Gerwen has opted to take a two-day break.**
Conversely, some top players are making their return or looking to find form:
- **Luke Humphries makes his return to the floor.**
- Gian van Veen will be aiming to hit his stride.
Wednesday’s schedule includes two crucial qualifiers for the European Tour. The **European Tour 9 (Slovak Darts Open) is particularly significant** as it’s the final tournament to count towards qualification for the prestigious World Matchplay. This adds considerable pressure for many players vying for a spot in that major event.
Premier League Darts 16: May 21, Sheffield
The Premier League’s travelling roadshow reaches Sheffield for its final league night, but the main drama has already concluded. **Luke Littler, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, and Luke Humphries have all secured their spots in the Play-Offs.**
Despite the Play-Offs being set, there’s still an important contest:
- **Price and Humphries are battling for third place in the standings.**
- Securing third place means avoiding league leader Luke Littler in the semi-finals, a significant advantage.
Here are some of the key matchups that could influence the final standings:
- Michael van Gerwen faces Luke Humphries.
- Gian van Veen takes on Gerwyn Price.
- League leader Luke Littler plays Josh Rock.
- Jonny Clayton closes out his league phase against Stephen Bunting.
DPNZ Pro Tour 7 & 8: May 23-24, Auckland
In New Zealand, the DPNZ Pro Tour continues, with **Ben Robb having already established a strong lead**. He’s claimed three titles from the first six tournaments, putting him in a commanding position.
While Robb has taken an early advantage, there are still six tournaments left to play. Challengers like **Kayden Milne and Jonny Tata will be hoping to narrow the gap** in Auckland and inject some late excitement into the race for the top spot.
WDF Tournaments: Global Action, World Championship Dreams
The World Darts Federation (WDF) circuit also features several tournaments this week, offering vital ranking points and, in some cases, coveted spots at the World Championship.
Here’s a look at the WDF action:
- May 22-24: Toronto Area Open & Toronto Area Classic (Canada)
- The **Toronto Area Open holds ‘Gold’ label status**, meaning the winners of both the open and women’s tournaments will earn a place at the legendary Lakeside World Championship. This is a massive opportunity for aspiring world champions.
- The Toronto Area Classic is a ‘Silver’ label event.
- May 22-24: Lithuania Open & Palanga Open
- Two ‘Bronze’ label tournaments offering ranking points in Eastern Europe.
- May 23-24: Sunshine State Classic (Australia)
- A ‘Silver’ label event down under, contributing to the WDF rankings.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
