New Zealand Darts Masters 2026 Tournament Preview
The SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters returns to Auckland in 2026 as part of the PDC World Series of Darts, with the tournament taking place at Spark Arena on August 14 and 15. The 16-player field combines eight PDC representatives with eight players from the Oceanic region, creating a mix of established international names and leading Australasian talent.
This year’s line-up has a different look from 2025. Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen are not travelling to New Zealand, meaning Gian van Veen arrives as the highest-ranked player in the field.
The Dutchman will make his New Zealand Darts Masters debut, while experienced players including Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Stephen Bunting provide plenty of World Series pedigree.
The tournament is played over two days, with the opening round on Friday followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final on Saturday. With a £100,000 prize fund and a strong field of international and Oceanic players, there is plenty to follow when the action begins.
When Is The New Zealand Darts Masters?
The 2026 New Zealand Darts Masters takes place on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Spark Arena in Auckland. The event is the first half of the 2026 World Series of Darts’ Australian and New Zealand double-header, with the Australian Darts Masters following in Wollongong on August 21 and 22.
The opening round is scheduled for Friday, with all eight first-round matches taking place during the evening session. The winners then return on Saturday for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. The knockout format means every match has immediate significance, with no league stage or second chance for players who are eliminated.
The event will be staged at Spark Arena, which has hosted the New Zealand Darts Masters since the tournament moved to Auckland. Tickets and venue information are available through the official event listings, while broadcasters and streaming services can provide coverage for fans watching from outside New Zealand.
What Time Does The New Zealand Darts Masters Start?
The advertised start time for both main sessions is 6:00pm local time in Auckland. The New Zealand Darts Masters is scheduled for 6:00pm on Friday, August 14, and 6:00pm on Saturday, August 15.
The first session contains the eight first-round matches, while Saturday’s session continues with the quarter-finals before progressing to the semi-finals and final. Exact individual match times depend on the running order and the length of preceding matches, so fans should treat the session start as the reliable reference rather than expecting every match to begin at a fixed time.
For international viewers, the Auckland start time needs to be converted into the relevant local time zone. Fans attending Spark Arena should also check the latest venue and ticket information before travelling, particularly for entry arrangements and any updates to the running order.
Who Won the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters?
Luke Littler won the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters, defeating Luke Humphries 8–4 in the final. Littler produced an outstanding performance in the showpiece match, averaging more than 115, to complete a second consecutive World Series title in the region after winning the Australian Darts Masters the previous week.
Humphries had entered the 2025 tournament as defending champion after beating Damon Heta 8–2 in the 2024 final. He reached the final again in 2025 but could not retain the title against Littler.
Littler will not defend his New Zealand title in 2026. He, Humphries and Michael van Gerwen have all opted not to make the trip to Australia and New Zealand this year, leaving the 2026 field without the players who occupied two of the previous two New Zealand finals and the sport’s most decorated Dutch star.
Who Is Playing In The New Zealand Darts Masters?
The 2026 field consists of 16 players: eight PDC representatives and eight Oceanic representatives.
The PDC representatives are Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, James Wade, Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Ross Smith and Damon Heta. Van Veen is the highest-ranked player in the field and will make his debut at the New Zealand Darts Masters.
The Oceanic representatives are Adam Leek, Simon Whitlock, Ben Robb, Jonny Tata, Mark Cleaver, Kayden Milne, Haupai Puha and Raymond Smith. Five of the New Zealand players qualified through the DartPlayers New Zealand rankings, while Leek and Whitlock received their places through the established World Series selection process and Raymond Smith qualified as the leading Australian Darts Association player.
The line-up includes several players with previous World Series success. Gerwyn Price won the New Zealand Darts Masters in 2022, while Jonny Tata has also enjoyed a notable moment at Spark Arena, defeating Peter Wright at the venue in 2023. Simon Whitlock brings considerable experience of playing on the World Series stage, while the New Zealand contingent will be looking to make the most of home conditions.
What Is The Prize Money For The New Zealand Darts Masters?
The 2026 New Zealand Darts Masters has a total prize fund of £100,000, with the winner receiving £30,000. The prize money is distributed according to how far each player progresses through the knockout tournament.
The current breakdown is:
- Winner: £30,000
- Runner-up: £16,000
- Semi-finalists: £10,000 each
- Quarter-finalists: £5,000 each
- First-round losers: £1,750 each
The £100,000 total represents an increase from the £60,000 prize fund used for the 2024 and 2025 editions. In 2025, Littler collected £30,000 after beating Humphries in the final, with the event’s prize fund having been increased from the previous year’s level.
Bet on the New Zealand Darts Masters at Bet442
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