The Stage is Set in Riyadh
The prestigious Global Theater in Riyadh will host the 2026 Riyadh Season Saudi Arabia Darts Masters on Monday, January 19th, and Tuesday, January 20th. This exciting World Series of Darts event unfolds over two action-packed days, culminating in a dramatic finals night.
Event Structure:
- Day One (Monday, January 19th): Features the highly anticipated first round matches.
- Day Two (Tuesday, January 20th): A ‘bumper session’ where the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand final will all be played, promising non-stop drama and high-pressure finishes.
Clash of the Darts Titans: Round One Highlights
The opening round presents a series of captivating matchups, pitting darts’ biggest names against emerging talents and seasoned pros. Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated clashes:
Key First Round Matches:
- Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) vs. Nitin Kumar (India): Fresh off his Bahrain Darts Masters victory last week, Van Gerwen kicks off his campaign for back-to-back titles. Kumar steps in as a late replacement due to illness, adding an unexpected twist.
- Luke Littler (England) vs. Paul Lim (Singapore): The teenage sensation, World Champion Luke Littler, faces the legendary ‘Singapore Slinger’ Paul Lim in a rematch from the previous World Series event. Expect fireworks!
- Luke Humphries (England) vs. Ryusei Azemoto (Japan): World number two Luke Humphries will aim for a strong start against Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto.
- Gian van Veen (Netherlands) vs. Motomu Sakai (Japan): The impressive Bahrain runner-up, Gian van Veen, looks to continue his strong form against Japan’s Motomu Sakai.
- Gerwyn Price (Wales) vs. Alexis Toylo (Philippines): Former World Champion Gerwyn Price takes on PDC Asian Tour winner Alexis Toylo.
- Nathan Aspinall (England) vs. Lourence Ilagan (Philippines): A rematch of their Bahrain encounter, promising another closely contested battle.
- Stephen Bunting (England) vs. Tomoya Goto (Japan)
- Danny Noppert (Netherlands) vs. Man Lok Leung (Hong Kong)
The Ultimate Prize: A Shot at $200,000 Perfection!
Beyond the trophy and prize money, a truly extraordinary incentive awaits the players: a massive bonus for a perfect leg. Any player who achieves the elusive nine-darter (hitting 180, 180, and then a 141 finish in nine darts) will instantly earn $100,000.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. This unique event introduces the ‘Riyadh Season Bullseye’ challenge. After landing a nine-darter, the player will get one single dart at the bullseye. Successfully hitting the bullseye will double their bonus to an incredible $200,000! This unprecedented prize adds immense pressure and thrill to every leg, especially in a fast-paced format where momentum can shift in an instant. It’s an incentive designed to push players to their absolute limits and create unforgettable moments.
Tournament Schedule
Here’s the full schedule for the 2026 Riyadh Season Saudi Arabia Darts Masters:
Monday, January 19th
- Time: 7:00 PM AST (Arabia Standard Time) / 4:00 PM GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
- Event: Round One (All matches played as Best of 11 legs)
- Order of Play:
- Danny Noppert v Man Lok Leung
- Stephen Bunting v Tomoya Goto
- Nathan Aspinall v Lourence Ilagan
- Michael van Gerwen v Nitin Kumar
- Luke Littler v Paul Lim
- Gerwyn Price v Alexis Toylo
- Luke Humphries v Ryusei Azemoto
- Gian van Veen v Motomu Sakai
Tuesday, January 20th
- Time: 7:00 PM AST (Arabia Standard Time) / 4:00 PM GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
- Event: Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final (All matches played as Best of 11 legs)
- Projected Quarter-Final Matchups (based on Round One winners):
- Winner of Van Gerwen/Kumar v Winner of Bunting/Goto
- Winner of Aspinall/Ilagan v Winner of Noppert/Leung
- Winner of Van Veen/Sakai v Winner of Littler/Lim
- Winner of Price/Toylo v Winner of Humphries/Azemoto
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
