The 2026 Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam kicked off with a seismic shock: defending champion and home favourite Michael van Gerwen was dramatically eliminated in the first round by Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. In a thrilling 6-5 decider, Gurney, a late tournament addition, survived five match darts from Van Gerwen before sealing a sensational upset. Elsewhere, Josh Rock also won a tight 6-5 battle, and Luke Humphries secured a 6-4 victory, while most other favourites advanced. Van Gerwen’s early exit has blown the top half of the draw wide open, setting the stage for an unpredictable tournament.
The Shockwave in Amsterdam: Defending Champion Falls
The 2026 Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals opened under the bright lights of AFAS Live with the kind of drama this event has come to deliver. Eight first-round ties produced two nail-biting deciders, a clutch of impressive averages, and undoubtedly the biggest early shock of the tournament: defending champion Michael van Gerwen is already on his way home.
Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney, affectionately known as ‘Superchin’, was a late addition to the field, stepping in after visa issues prevented two Philippine players from competing. He seized his chance spectacularly, producing a classic performance to edge Van Gerwen 6-5 in a match that had the home crowd in stunned silence.
The Van Gerwen vs. Gurney Thriller: A Match Breakdown
- Gurney’s Explosive Start: Gurney raced into a commanding 3-0 lead, showcasing early dominance.
- Van Gerwen’s Resilient Comeback: The Dutchman, a three-time world champion, fought back fiercely, winning the next three legs to level the score at 3-3, and eventually reaching 5-5.
- The Missed Opportunities: In the crucial tenth leg, Van Gerwen shockingly missed five match darts, a moment that will haunt him.
- Gurney’s Clutch Finish: When the opportunity returned, Gurney held his nerve, finding double 16 to complete the monumental upset.
This result means the three-time world champion exits at the first hurdle of his title defence, leaving the packed AFAS Live arena in disbelief.
Other Thrilling Encounters and Strong Starts
Moments before Van Gerwen’s shock exit, another Northern Irishman had survived an equally tight scrap, demonstrating the high calibre of competition.
- Josh Rock’s Nerve-Wracking Victory: Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting served up one of the purest quality contests of the night, with both players averaging over 101. Rock held his nerve in the final leg, pinning double 12 to win 6-5 and book a last-16 meeting with Ryan Searle.
- Humphries Keeps His Cool: Luke Humphries, known as ‘Cool Hand’, made relatively light work of local favourite Jermaine Wattimena, closing out a 6-4 victory after a few wayward match darts. Humphries looked solid rather than spectacular, but the job was done efficiently.
Favourites Advance, But The Road Ahead Is Clearer
While Van Gerwen’s exit stole the show, many top seeds secured their spots in the next round, setting up exciting clashes for Saturday.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode opened the evening with a controlled 6-4 win over Viktor Tingström.
- Ryan Searle was clinical against Rob Cross, winning 6-2.
- Karel Sedláček impressed with a 100-plus average in a convincing 6-4 success over Ben Robb.
- Ross Smith continued his strong European Tour form by beating Kevin Doets 6-3.
- Gian van Veen rounded off the night in style, easing past Chris Dobey 6-2.
The result leaves the top half of the draw looking far more open and unpredictable than it did twenty-four hours ago, promising an enthralling weekend of darts.
Looking Ahead: Saturday’s Showdowns and Friday’s Final First-Round Ties
With the first half of the draw now settled, Saturday promises more intense action with these confirmed last-16 matchups:
- Daryl Gurney vs. Ross Smith
- Josh Rock vs. Ryan Searle
- Luke Humphries vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Gian van Veen vs. Karel Sedláček
Meanwhile, Friday night will complete the first round with the remaining ties, featuring some of the sport’s biggest names:
- Luke Littler begins his campaign against Danny Noppert.
- Gerwyn Price faces Brody Klinge.
- James Wade lines up against Damon Heta.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
