Summary:
Michael van Gerwen won the 2026 Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen by defeating Luke Humphries 8-7 in a thrilling final. The Dutchman, the tournament’s top seed, had to fight back until the very last leg after trailing 3-1, then turning the tables with a run of four consecutive legs.
Key Takeaways
Van Gerwen beats Humphries 8-7 in a very close final.
The Dutchman first defeated Viktor Tingstrom 6-5 and then Jonny Clayton 7-4.
Humphries himself had put in a strong performance against Luke Littler, winning 7-5 in the semifinals with an average of 105 and a 132 finish.
Van Gerwen claims his 18th PDC World Series title and his second of 2026.
Final Match Stats
| Statistics | Michael van Gerwen | Luke Humphries |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 8 | 7 |
| Average 3 darts | 98.90 | 98.83 |
| Average of the first 9 | 310.13 | 327.47 |
| 180s | 5 | 5 |
| 140+ | 12 | 11 |
| 100+ | 11 | 12 |
| Checkouts | 8/14 | 7/23 |
| Success rate on doubles | 57.14% | 30.43% |
| Highest checkout | 109 | 98 |
A tough run-up to the final
As the top seed in Copenhagen, Van Gerwen didn’t have an easy time of it. In the quarterfinals, he had to edge out Viktor Tingstrom 6-5 after a very tense match. In the semifinals, he then had better control over Jonny Clayton and secured his spot in the final with a 7-4 victory.
This run adds significance to the title. The Dutchman didn’t win on a single flash of brilliance. He built his run match by match, weathering several moments when the tournament could have slipped away from him. It’s this kind of resilience that explains why he remains one of the most dangerous players on the circuit when the pressure mounts.
Humphries had, however, set the tone for the final
On the other side, Luke Humphries had also sent a strong signal in the semifinals. He dominated Luke Littler 7-5 with an average of 105, a 132 finish, and true composure in the clutch. The final thus had all the makings of a highly anticipated showdown between two former world champions.
Humphries started the match in the best possible way and took a 3-1 lead. But Van Gerwen found the right response at the right time, stringing together four legs in a row to turn the tables. The two players then traded breaks of throw back and forth until a final leg played out under intense pressure.
In the decisive leg, Humphries missed his chance at the bullseye. Van Gerwen then closed out the match with a 72 finish on double top, a clean and unflinching finish that sealed the title.
A Symbol of a Return to the Forefront
Beyond the trophy, the message is clear. Van Gerwen claimed his 18th World Series title, became the first player to win the Nordic Darts Masters twice since the tournament’s inception in 2021, and leaves with a real boost in confidence for the rest of the season.
The context of the draw was already evident in our piece on Stephen Bunting’s return to Copenhagen, where we saw that the slightest detail could tip the scales for the evening. At this level, one leg more or less completely changes the narrative of an entire weekend.
Van Gerwen thus leaves Denmark with a title that matters. Not only because it adds another line to his list of achievements, but because it reminds the entire circuit that he remains capable of closing out major events when the margin for error disappears.