The 2026 Bahrain Darts Masters kicks off the World Series of Darts, promising thrilling action from a new venue. Defending champion Stephen Bunting returns, alongside a stellar line-up including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen. All eyes will be on the highly anticipated first-round clash between darting sensation Luke Littler and legendary veteran Paul Lim. The two-day event, featuring a £100,000 prize fund, culminates in an exciting final where a new champion will be crowned.
The Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 marks the highly anticipated start of the World Series of Darts circuit. This fourth edition of the event is set to unfold at the state-of-the-art **Exhibition World Bahrain**, a new venue conveniently located near its predecessor. With top darts talent from around the globe converging on the Middle East, fans can expect an electrifying display of skill and precision.
Tournament Format Explained
True to the World Series tradition, the Bahrain Masters pits eight hand-picked PDC superstars against eight regional qualifiers. While Bahrain itself is still developing its darts scene, the PDC has allocated two spots to local players. The remaining regional berths have been filled by established names from the wider East Asian darting community, ensuring a diverse and competitive field.
The Star-Studded Line-Up: PDC Nominated Players
The roster for the 2026 Bahrain Darts Masters features a formidable collection of darting legends and rising stars, many of whom are also key players in this year’s Premier League. Here’s a closer look at the elite eight:
- Luke Littler: The two-time World Champion leads the charge. In a fascinating twist, his opening match will see him face the legendary **Paul Lim**, a veteran 53 years his senior – a match-up Littler himself reportedly wished to avoid at the World Championship. This promises to be a generational clash not to be missed!
- Stephen Bunting: The reigning 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters champion returns to defend his title, aiming for back-to-back victories.
- Luke Humphries: A consistent force in the darting world, Humphries is always a strong contender in any tournament he enters.
- Michael van Gerwen: The Dutch maestro makes a welcome return to the World Series circuit, undoubtedly looking to add another title to his impressive collection.
- Gian van Veen: This marks Van Veen’s first World Series appearance outside his home country, a significant step in his burgeoning career.
- Danny Noppert: The ‘Freeze’ joins the line-up, with many speculating this invitation serves as a consolation for his absence from the Premier League.
- Gerwyn Price: After reaching two finals previously but failing to clinch the title, ‘The Iceman’ is more determined than ever to secure a World Series crown.
- Nathan Aspinall: ‘The Asp’ completes the PDC contingent, known for his entertaining style and fierce competitiveness.
Challengers from the Region: The Qualifiers
The regional qualifiers bring a blend of local talent and seasoned Asian darting figures, eager to make their mark against the sport’s elite:
- Abdulla Saeed & Basem Mahmood: These two players will represent Bahrain for their third appearance at the Masters, hoping to improve on previous showings.
- Alexis Toylo: The winner of the PDC Asian Tour, from the Philippines, earns his well-deserved spot.
- Lourence Ilagan: Another strong contender from the Philippines, known for his consistent performances.
- Motomu Sakai: The Japanese player who caused a stir at the World Championship makes his World Series debut.
- Ryusei Azemoto: Also making his debut, Azemoto adds another exciting Japanese talent to the mix.
- Man Lok Leung: Familiar with the Bahrain event, Leung will be looking to leverage his experience.
- Paul Lim: The legendary ‘Singapore Slinger’ is undoubtedly the most prominent name among the Asian contingent, setting up that epic clash with Luke Littler.
Notably absent this year is **Paolo Nebrida**, who famously pulled off the only upset victory by a regional player twelve months ago.
Tournament Schedule: Two Days of High-Stakes Darts
The seeding for the top four players is based on the current World Rankings, as this is the first World Series event of the year. The tournament spans two action-packed days:
Day 1: Thursday, January 15, 2026 – First Round
All first-round matches will be played in a **Best of 11 Legs** format, kicking off at 17:00 CET. Highlights include:
- Gerwyn Price vs. Motomu Sakai
- Gian van Veen vs. Man Lok Leung: A chance for Van Veen to settle a score from past World Championship encounters.
- Danny Noppert vs. Basem Mahmood
- Nathan Aspinall vs. Lourence Ilagan: A rematch of their World Championship encounter.
- Luke Humphries vs. Abdulla Saeed: Saeed will be aiming to prevent a whitewash and put up a stronger fight this time.
- Luke Littler vs. Paul Lim: The generational battle and arguably the **highlight of the opening session!**
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Alexis Toylo
- Stephen Bunting vs. Ryusei Azemoto
Day 2: Friday, January 16, 2026 – Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, & Final
Starting at 17:00 CET, Friday will feature a rapid-fire succession of matches, culminating in the grand finale. The match distances increase as the tournament progresses:
- Quarter-finals: Best of 11 Legs
- Semi-finals: Best of 13 Legs
- Final: Best of 15 Legs
The Stakes: Prize Money and World Series Points
A substantial total prize fund of **£100,000** is up for grabs at the Bahrain Darts Masters. The winner not only walks away with the prestigious palm trophy but also a significant cash prize and crucial ranking points for the World Series of Darts standings. These points are vital for qualification to the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.
Prize Money & Points Breakdown:
- Winner: £30,000 (12 points)
- Runner-Up: £16,000 (8 points)
- Semi-finalists: £10,000 (5 points)
- Quarter-finalists: £5,000 (3 points)
- First Round Losers: £1,750 (1 point)
It’s important to note that while the prize money is considerable, it **does not count towards the PDC Order of Merit** (World Rankings).
How to Watch the Bahrain Darts Masters 2026
Fans eager to catch all the action from the Bahrain Darts Masters 2026 will have various options. Coverage is typically available through **major sports broadcasting networks** in different regions, as well as dedicated **darts streaming platforms**. Some broadcasters may offer free-to-air coverage or highlight packages, while premium subscriptions often provide full live and on-demand access to every match.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
