The darts world descended upon Riga, Latvia, for an action-packed weekend, starting with the inaugural Latvian Masters. This exciting event saw two prominent names emerge victorious: Paul Milford secured his second WDF ranking title, while Aileen de Graaf clinched her fifth WDF title of 2026. Their impressive performances set the stage for the highly anticipated WDF Silver-ranked Latvian Open on Saturday, promising even more high-stakes darts action and substantial prize money for both senior and junior players.
The Latvian Masters: A Dominant Start to the Weekend
The WDF Winmau Latvian and Riga Open weekend burst into life on Friday with the first-ever Latvian Masters, and it delivered an immediate spectacle as two familiar faces claimed the top honours.
Paul Milford Secures Men’s Title
Former England international, Paul Milford, showcased exceptional form to capture his second career WDF ranking title. In a commanding performance in the final, Milford defeated Sweden’s Dennis Nilsson with a decisive 6-1 victory, punctuating his triumph with two impressive 180s along the way. His precision and composure were evident throughout the match, making him a deserving champion.
Aileen de Graaf Claims Women’s Crown
In the women’s event, Dutch sensation Aileen de Graaf added another prestigious title to her impressive resume, winning the Women’s Latvian Masters. De Graaf overcame Finland’s Anu Rasmus with a strong 5-1 win in the final. This victory marks her fifth WDF title of 2026, a remarkable achievement that comes eight years after her previous success at the Latvian Open. Despite a brilliant 129 checkout from Rasmus during the final, De Graaf maintained her focus and stormed to the title, demonstrating why she remains a force in women’s darts.
What’s Next? The WDF Silver-Ranked Latvian Open Beckons
The excitement in Riga continues on Saturday with a significantly bigger challenge: the WDF Silver-ranked Latvian Open. This event promises even more intense competition and a larger prize pool, attracting top talent from across the globe.
Prize Money Highlights:
- Men’s Open Winner: €1,800 (from a total Open prize fund of €6,180)
- Women’s Champion: €600 (from a total Women’s prize fund of €1,820)
Tournament Schedule and Formats:
The main Open and Women’s events are scheduled to kick off at 13:00 local time (11:00 UK time).
- Men’s Open:
- Early rounds: Best of seven legs
- Semi-finals: Best of nine legs
- Grand Final: Best of 11 legs
- Women’s Event:
- Early rounds: Best of seven legs
- Grand Final: Best of nine legs
Junior Events: Developing Future Stars
Earlier in the day, the U18 and U23 singles events will begin at 10:00 local time (8:00 UK time). These junior competitions are crucial for nurturing emerging talent:
- Match Formats: Best of five or seven legs, with a best-of-seven final for all junior categories.
- Ranking Status:
- U18 Open and Girls events are Silver ranked.
- U23 events are Bronze ranked.
The Riga Darts weekend promises continuous high-level competition and thrilling moments for darts enthusiasts, showcasing both established stars and promising young talents.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
