The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam kicked off with immediate drama, as defending champion Michael van Gerwen suffered a stunning early exit. Despite holding multiple match darts, ‘Mighty Mike’ was defeated by a resurgent Daryl Gurney. The opening night also saw another seeded player, Stephen Bunting, knocked out by Josh Rock. However, not all favorites faltered, with Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen securing their spots in the next round.
The Fall of a Champion: Van Gerwen’s Shock Exit
The biggest story from the opening night was undoubtedly the elimination of three-time World Series Finals champion, Michael van Gerwen. ‘Mighty Mike’ faced Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney, and the match proved to be a rollercoaster. Gurney, known as ‘Superchin’, started incredibly strong, racing to a 3-0 lead, even hitting a sensational 170 checkout. Van Gerwen, however, showed his fighting spirit, clawing his way back to level the score at 3-3 and then taking a commanding 5-3 lead, seemingly on the verge of victory.
But the drama was far from over. Gurney broke back, and then came the pivotal moment: Van Gerwen missed a staggering six match darts. The Dutch crowd, desperate to see their hero advance, roared their support, but it wasn’t enough. In the decisive leg, Gurney held his nerve, sealing a memorable 6-5 victory with an 18-darter, sending the defending champion home early. This defeat marks a continuation of what some observers are calling a challenging period for van Gerwen.
Other Major Upsets and Nail-biting Finishes
- Stephen Bunting (8) vs. Josh Rock: This match also went down to the wire. ‘The Bullet’ Bunting, after taking a 3-1 lead and even checking out a superb 161 finish, found himself in a decider. He then crucially missed a match dart on the bullseye, allowing rising star Josh Rock to step in and secure a 6-5 victory with a 72 checkout. Rock had also impressed with a 142 checkout earlier in the match.
- Rob Cross vs. Ryan Searle: In another tight contest, Rob Cross, despite a slightly higher average, fell 6-2 to Ryan Searle. The match was level at 2-2 before ‘Heavy Metal’ Searle found another gear, hitting a crucial 127 checkout and winning three consecutive legs to close out the match.
Dominant Displays and Promising Starts
While some seeds tumbled, others advanced with confidence:
- Gian van Veen (5) vs. Chris Dobey: The young Dutchman, ‘The Giant’ Gian van Veen, delivered a commanding performance, defeating Chris Dobey 6-2. Van Veen showcased his clinical finishing with a 101 checkout and closed out the match by winning three legs in a row.
- Luke Humphries (4) vs. Jermaine Wattimena: ‘Cool Hand Luke’ Humphries secured a 6-4 victory over Jermaine Wattimena. Despite missing eight match darts himself, Humphries demonstrated his scoring power with a 132 checkout and an 11-darter to maintain control.
- Karel Sedlacek vs. Ben Robb: ‘Evil Charlie’ Sedlacek booked his spot in the last 16 with a solid 6-4 win, boasting an impressive 99 average. He hit a stunning 147 checkout and maintained a two-leg lead to seal his victory with a 12-darter.
- Ross Smith vs. Kevin Doets: ‘The Smudger’ Ross Smith also impressed, averaging 103 in his 6-3 win over Kevin Doets. Smith started strong with a 130 finish and never looked back after taking a 4-1 lead.
The Comeback Kid: Van Duijvenbode’s Resilience
The opening match of the tournament saw a remarkable turnaround. Viktor Tingström raced to a 4-1 lead against Dirk van Duijvenbode. However, ‘The Titan’ mounted a fierce comeback, winning five consecutive legs to snatch a 6-4 victory. Van Duijvenbode’s resilience was highlighted by a crucial 111 checkout and a double four finish to seal the win after Tingström had missed his own check darts.
What’s Next at the World Series of Darts Finals?
The action continues on Friday, September 18th, 2026, as the first round concludes with eight more exciting matches. Fans can look forward to seeing more top players in action, including:
- Nathan Aspinall
- James Wade
- Gerwyn Price
- Luke Littler
- Jonny Clayton
- And many more rising talents.
Tournament Format and Prize Money
The World Series of Darts Finals features a progressive format:
- Round 1: Best of 11 Legs
- Round 2 & Quarter-Finals: Best of 19 Legs
- Semi-Finals & Final: Best of 21 Legs
A substantial prize fund of £450,000 is up for grabs, with the champion taking home a handsome £100,000. It’s important to note that as an invitational event, the prize money from the World Series Finals does NOT count towards the PDC Order of Merit.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
