The PDC has confirmed the draw and schedule for the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals, with a straightforward first round in Amsterdam: Luke Littler versus Danny Noppert, Michael van Gerwen versus Lourence Ilagan, and a full draw now finalised for AFAS Live. The tournament will take place from 17 to 20 September 2026, featuring 32 players and building in intensity right through to Sunday’s quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
This time, the key information is no longer just the line-up. The draw provides a real insight into the tournament: Van Gerwen begins his title defence on home soil, Littler faces a strong Dutch opponent, and several sections of the draw already promise high-profile clashes from the second round onwards. The PDC’s official statement also finalises the session schedule, making the weekend much more tangible for fans.
Van Gerwen and Littler face two closely watched paths
Michael van Gerwen arrives as the defending champion and faces a very specific pressure: defending his World Series Finals crown in front of a Dutch home crowd. His first-round match against Lourence Ilagan, a two-time PDC Asian champion, looks on paper like a manageable start, but there’s a catch. On a short evening, with the crowd and the pace of a first-round match, this sort of fixture leaves little room for error.
On the other side of the draw, Luke Littler will face Danny Noppert. This is probably the most intriguing first-round fixture for a European audience: the 2024 champion taking on a former UK Open winner, on home soil or thereabouts, in a venue that is likely to give the Dutch players a huge boost. Following confirmation of the full line-up in Amsterdam, this draw finally adds the missing piece: the possible routes to Sunday.
Matches that could prove decisive from the very first round
The draw isn’t limited to the two headliners. Luke Humphries will face Jermaine Wattimena, Gerwyn Price will kick off against Brody Klinge, and Gian van Veen will face a serious test against Chris Dobey. Another highly competitive clash: Stephen Bunting versus Josh Rock – a fixture that would almost feel like a round of 16 match in a different context.
The draw also features several interesting match-ups for the second round. The winner of Littler v Noppert will face the winner of Nathan Aspinall v Raymond Smith. In the top half, Van Gerwen or Ilagan will take on Kevin Doets or Ross Smith. In other words: the favourites have room to make their mark, but it’s by no means a walk in the park.
The schedule for the 2026 World Series Finals
The PDC has spread the first round over two evenings. On Thursday 17 September, the session will open with Humphries, Van Gerwen and Van Veen, amongst others. On Friday 18 September, Littler, Price, Wade and Clayton are on the programme. Saturday will serve as a qualifying round with the eight second-round matches, before a very busy final day on Sunday.
| Session | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Thursday 17 September, 7.00 pm CEST | 8 first-round matches, featuring Humphries, Van Gerwen and Van Veen |
| Friday 18 September, 7.00 pm CEST | 8 first-round matches, featuring Price, Wade, Littler and Clayton |
| Saturday 19 September, 1.00 pm CEST | 4 second-round matches, top half of the draw |
| Saturday 19 September, 7.00 pm CEST | 4 second-round matches, lower half of the draw |
| Sunday 20 September, 1.00 pm CEST | Quarter-finals |
| Sunday 20 September, 7.00 pm CEST | Semi-finals followed by the final |
Why this draw matters now
The tournament was already tipped as one of September’s major events, but the draw changes the sporting narrative. It puts the Dutch players at the centre of the story, with Van Gerwen, Noppert, Wattimena, Van Veen, Doets and Nijman all in the mix. It also presents Littler with an early test that could immediately set the tone for his campaign.
Sky Sports points out that the tournament boasts a prize fund of £450,000, with £100,000 going to the winner. So this is not just a late-summer exhibition event: it is a genuine televised trophy, with a short draw, big names and a venue that can quickly become noisy if the home crowd gets fired up.
Two aspects in particular will be worth keeping an eye on: the exact order of Saturday’s matches, which is yet to be confirmed, and any last-minute withdrawals. For now, the message is clear: Amsterdam has its draw, its two opening nights, and a Littler v Noppert clash capable of instantly setting the tone for the start of the tournament.
