Summary:
The quarter-final draw for the 2026 US Darts Masters is now complete following an action-packed first evening in New York. Luke Littler will face Jim Long, who pulled off a major upset against Josh Rock, whilst Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, James Wade, Stephen Bunting, Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton are also set to feature on a second night that will see the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place back-to-back.
Why the Littler v Long quarter-final is already stealing the show
The standout fixture of this second evening is clear: Luke Littler versus Jim Long. On paper, Littler remains one of the weekend’s biggest names, capable of turning any World Series session into a global showcase. But up against him, Long brings everything the tournament could have hoped for in sporting and emotional terms: a local surprise, a crowd immediately on board, and a credible contender to ensure New York isn’t reduced to a mere parade of headliners.
The Canadian beat Josh Rock 6–4 in the first round and has already provided the tournament with its biggest upset. For Darts Nerd, this is also what really brings this final evening to life: instead of an expected quarter-final between two established names, the Madison Square Garden crowd is treated to a much more lively contest, featuring a massive favourite and an underdog who has already changed the narrative of the weekend. To put this into full context, the results from the first day have already shown why this draw has taken on a whole new dimension.
This quarter-final will not be judged solely on the logic of the rankings. It will also be assessed in terms of the pressure of the stage, Littler’s ability to quickly close out a match that has become highly exposed, and Long’s ability to sustain the energy he showed on the first night. In a short-format tournament, this kind of clash can very quickly become the focal point of the entire event.
The full quarter-final draw
The first night confirmed a generally solid pecking order, whilst opening up a real window of uncertainty at the top of the draw. The result: four very distinct quarter-finals, each with its own sporting narrative.
| Quarter-final | Quick rundown |
|---|---|
| Luke Littler vs Jim Long | The most high-profile quarter-final, pitting the tournament’s biggest rising star against the outsider who has kept the local story alive. |
| Gerwyn Price vs James Wade | Two experienced players capable of sealing a match very quickly and turning the session on its head with a few crucial doubles. |
| Luke Humphries vs Stephen Bunting | The defending champion takes on a player who can quickly ramp up the intensity if it’s a tight start. |
| Gian van Veen vs Jonny Clayton | Perhaps the most wide-open quarter of the draw, pitting Dutch dynamism against the solidity of a player who performs very well in this type of format. |
This draw has a quality rarely seen on a World Series evening: it doesn’t rely on a single headline clash. Even aside from the Littler–Long clash, each quarter-final holds its own distinct promise. Price v Wade could turn into a tactical battle of wits. Humphries v Bunting has the potential to be a very intense match if Bunting finds his rhythm quickly. Van Veen v Clayton, meanwhile, looks like the quarter-final where the evening could most easily take an unexpected turn towards an unexpected semi-final.
Humphries, Price and Wade arrive with a real sporting obligation
The surprise package, Jim Long, has dominated the narrative, but that mustn’t make us forget the pressure surrounding the other favourites. Luke Humphries, the defending champion, has got his title defence off to a perfect start and remains the natural benchmark for the weekend. His quarter-final against Stephen Bunting will be crucial, as it could either confirm a smooth path to the title or suddenly open up the lower half of the draw.
Gerwyn Price and James Wade find themselves in a clash that is far less of a formality than it appears. Both players are adept at reducing short matches to a matter of runs, disrupted rhythm and finishing. It may not be the most visually spectacular quarter-final, but it is perhaps one of the most difficult to predict for the rest of the draw. The winner will send out a clear signal as the semi-finals approach.
Finally, Jonny Clayton comes into this match on the back of a very solid opening night, whilst Gian van Veen has also secured his place without ever really putting himself under pressure for too long. This is undoubtedly the most wide-open fixture of the four, and therefore the one that could change the sporting dynamic of the evening if it leads to a semi-final that’s more tense than expected.
Why this second evening could really reshape the weekend
The format of the US Darts Masters lends particular significance to this final session. Everything takes place on the same evening: quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. This means that a player can go from being a first-round survivor to tournament winner in a matter of hours, provided they can keep up the pace and navigate the pivotal moments effectively.
For Littler, the challenge is clear: to ensure that the quarter-final against Long does not turn into an emotional and media trap. For Humphries, it’s a matter of defending his position on a night when several challengers have enough experience to dictate the pace. For Long, finally, the question is simple yet significant: can yesterday’s surprise run turn into a genuine campaign? It is this question that provides the best editorial angle for the second day.
In New York, the tournament has already found its drama, its dark horse and its final line-up. All that remains now is to find its champion. And even before the semi-finals, everything points to the quarter-final between Luke Littler and Jim Long being the first crucial step towards that answer.
