World Series of Darts Finals 2026: Everything You Need To Know
The World Series of Darts Finals brings together some of the biggest names in the sport alongside emerging players who have earned their place through the season’s World Series events and qualifying routes.
The 2026 tournament promises four days of high-quality darts at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, with the action running from 17 to 20 September. The 32-player field includes the leading players from the World Series Order of Merit, additional qualifiers from the PDC Order of Merit and four Tour Card Holder qualifiers.
From big scoring to pressure finishing, the tournament provides plenty of opportunities for players to make their mark. With all 32 competitors entering in the opening round, there is no room for a slow start.
Read on to find out how the finals work, when and where they take place, who is playing, what happened in 2025 and what is at stake in Amsterdam.
How Does The World Series of Darts Finals Work?
The World Series of Darts Finals is the concluding tournament of the PDC World Series season. Unlike the individual World Series events, which feature PDC representatives and regional players, the Finals bring together a 32-player field based on performances across the season and additional qualification routes.
For 2026, the field includes the top 24 players from the final World Series rankings, four players who qualified through the PDC Order of Merit route and four players who came through the Tour Card Holder Qualifier. The top eight players in the World Series rankings are seeded, but all 32 players begin in the first round.
The first and second rounds are played over the best of 11 legs, meaning a player must win six legs to progress. The quarter-finals are best of 19 legs, while the semi-finals and final are best of 21 legs. That means the matches become progressively longer as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
The knockout structure also means there are no second chances. Players have to perform immediately, while the longer matches later in the tournament place greater emphasis on consistency, finishing and the ability to maintain a high level over more legs.
When Is The World Series of Darts Finals 2026?
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals takes place from Thursday 17 September to Sunday 20 September 2026. The first round is split across Thursday and Friday, with the second round taking place on Saturday. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are all played on Sunday 20 September.
The scheduled sessions begin at 19:00 CEST on Thursday and Friday. Saturday features afternoon and evening sessions, starting at 13:00 and 19:00 CEST respectively, while Sunday begins with the quarter-finals at 13:00 before the semi-finals and final take place during the evening session.
Where Is The World Series of Darts Finals Held?
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals will be held at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The venue has become closely associated with the tournament and has hosted the Finals in recent years.
Amsterdam has a strong connection with the World Series Finals. The event has previously been held in other locations, including Glasgow and Vienna, but the Dutch capital has become its established modern home.
For supporters travelling to the event, AFAS Live is located in the Amsterdam-Zuidoost area and benefits from the city’s public transport network.
The combination of a major indoor venue and a passionate Dutch darts audience provides a familiar setting for many of the players in the field.
Who Won The World Series of Darts 2025?
Michael van Gerwen won the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals, defeating Luke Littler 11-7 in the final at AFAS Live. The victory gave Van Gerwen a record-extending sixth World Series of Darts Finals title.
The final was a closely contested affair for long periods. Van Gerwen eventually pulled clear before sealing the championship with a 130 checkout. He finished the match with a 98.37 three-dart average, while Littler averaged 101.99.
Van Gerwen’s route to the title also included wins over Luke Humphries and Josh Rock on Finals Day. His quarter-final against Humphries ended 10-5, while he defeated Rock 11-6 in the semi-final before overcoming Littler in the showpiece.
Littler had entered the 2025 tournament as defending champion after beating Michael Smith 11-4 in the 2024 final. He will therefore be looking to go one step further in 2026 after reaching the final in Amsterdam last year.
What Is The Prize Money For The World Series of Darts Finals?
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals has a total prize fund of £450,000, with £100,000 going to the winner. The increase from the £400,000 prize fund used in 2025 reflects the higher amount available for this year’s tournament.
The 2026 prize distribution is:
Winner — £100,000
Runner-up — £60,000
Semi-finalists — £30,000 each
Quarter-finalists — £17,500 each
Second-round losers — £10,000 each
First-round losers — £5,000 each
Every player who reaches the Finals therefore earns prize money, with the amount increasing as players progress through the knockout draw.
The financial stakes are significant, but the tournament also carries prestige as the concluding event of the World Series season. For players competing in the longer matches on Finals Day, the combination of prize money and a major PDC title provides plenty of incentive to perform at their best.
Who Is Playing In The World Series of Darts Finals?
The 2026 field consists of 32 players. The top 24 from the World Series rankings were joined by four players qualifying through the PDC Order of Merit route and four Tour Card Holder qualifiers.
There have also been late changes to the original draw. Man Lok Leung withdrew and was replaced by Dirk van Duijvenbode, while Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo withdrew because of unresolved visa issues. Daryl Gurney and Maik Kuivenhoven were subsequently called into the field as replacements.
The confirmed field and opening-round draw is:
- Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney
- Kevin Doets vs Ross Smith
- Stephen Bunting vs Josh Rock
- Rob Cross vs Ryan Searle
- Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena
- Viktor Tingstrom vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Gian van Veen vs Chris Dobey
- Karel Sedlacek vs Ben Robb
- Gerwyn Price vs Brody Klinge
- Adam Leek vs Jim Long
- James Wade vs Damon Heta
- Wessel Nijman vs Simon Whitlock
- Luke Littler vs Danny Noppert
- Nathan Aspinall vs Raymond Smith
- Jonny Clayton vs Maik Kuivenhoven
- Motomu Sakai vs Callan Rydz
The eight seeded players are Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Stephen Bunting.
The draw includes several notable opening-round matches. Defending champion Van Gerwen faces Daryl Gurney, while Littler begins against Danny Noppert. Humphries meets Jermaine Wattimena, Price takes on Brody Klinge and former World Champion Rob Cross plays Ryan Searle.
Who Is Favourite To Win The World Series of Darts Finals?
Betting markets provide one indication of how bookmakers are pricing the field, although odds can change before and during the tournament.
Littler arrives in Amsterdam as the 2024 champion and 2025 runner-up. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, is the reigning champion and has won the Finals six times. Humphries and Price also have substantial experience on the World Series stage, while players such as Gian van Veen, Wessel Nijman, James Wade and Jonny Clayton add further depth to the field.
For fans following the tournament, the confirmed draw and recent performances are useful reference points. With all 32 players starting in the opening round, every match can have an immediate impact on the route to the trophy.
Bet on the World Series of Darts Finals at Bet442
The World Series of Darts Finals combines a strong field, a major prize fund and four days of knockout darts in Amsterdam.
If you choose to bet on the tournament, make sure you understand the market and the risks involved before placing a wager.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.