World Masters - First Round
Report and Statistics, First Tournament Day
Report and Statistics, Second Tournament Day
The 2026 Winmau World Masters kicked off with a scintillating night of action on Thursday at Arena MK, as Heta knocked out newly crowned Bahrain Darts Master Van Gerwen by producing a doubling clinic.
The Australian number - a two-time quarter-finalist in Milton Keynes - took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a classy 124 outshot, before Van Gerwen rallied to level proceedings. Heta then capitalised on a profligate outer-ring performance from his opponent to take the next two sets and defeat the five-time Masters winner, taking out his third ton-plus checkout to put out the world number four.
"It was special that I got the win, it didn't matter who I played," admitted Heta, who converted 63% of his double attempts.
"Me and Michael have had a few battles over the years, but to get a win over him is defiantly a feather in the cap.
"At the end of the day, you have to take your chances. I missed a few but I took a few, so happy days!"
Price produced the standout performance of the evening, averaging 108.5 in his 3-0 drubbing of James Hurrell. The former World Champion won the opening set with a 13-darter and crashed in four 180s to win six of the eight legs available to cap off a dominant display.
"I think I was a little bit ruthless in that game," confessed Price, who has not progressed past round two since 2022 in Milton Keynes.
"It's a cut-throat format, I think he had a shot at double to win the first set. You have to be more concentrated in every leg.
"I had to perform well as James played fantastic. If I had one or two slip-ups it would have been a completely different game, but thankfully I was up for it."
Price's Welsh World Cup partner Clayton also made a winning return to Arena MK, dispatching Wessel Nijman 3-1. The 2021 Masters champion and runner-up in Milton Keynes last year ceded the opening set despite taking out a whopping 161 checkout, before taking out six of the next eight legs to prevail.
Nathan Aspinall impressed in his round one clash, reeling off six straight legs and averaging over 105 to defeat debutant Shane McGuirk 3-1. The Stockport star initially trailed after McGuirk conjured up an unconventional 141 finish to lead 1-0 in sets, but Aspinall did not lose a leg from then on, taking out seven of his 11 double attempts over the contest.
European Champion Gian van Veen claimed victory in his maiden appearance at the World Masters, downing Ryan Joyce 3-1 to set up a round two showdown with Aspinall.
James Wade averaged over 102 to see past Madars Razma 3-2, as the 2014 Masters champion won eight of the 12 legs in the contest despite being pushed the distance by the Latvian number one.
2023 Masters winner Chris Dobey breezed to a whitewash victory over Jermaine Wattimena thanks to a clinical display on the outer-ring, whilst Gary Anderson delivered a 101 average to battle past a resilient Niels Zonneveld 3-2.
The Winmau World Masters continues on Friday, as defending champion Luke Humphries and World Champion Luke Littler open their campaigns. Humphries takes on St Helens star Dave Chisnall, whilst Littler will mark his second World Masters appearance by facing former World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker. Also on Friday evening, 2024 Masters winner Stephen Bunting takes on Jeffrey de Graaf, and World Cup winners Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney play Connor Scutt and Dutch arrowsmith Danny Noppert respectively.
Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena (2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld (0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-0)
James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0)
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell (2-1, 2-1, 2-0)
Damon Heta 3-1 Michael van Gerwen (2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce (1-2, 2-0 2-0, 2-1)
Friday's action saw the world's top two players enter the fray at Arena MK, as Littler overturned a 2-1 deficit to deny former World Grand Prix champion De Decker in a five-set thriller.
The world number one edged a competitive opening set, before De Decker - inspired by a 121 checkout on the bull - reeled off five consecutive legs to threaten a significant upset. Despite Littler missing double 15 for a nine-darter midway through set four, De Decker had an opportunity to triumph in style, only to wire double 11 for a match-winning 142 combination in the following leg. Littler capitalised on this reprieve by levelling up proceedings with a 13-darter, before completing a clean sweep in the deciding set to preserve his title aspirations.
"It was a tough game tonight," conceded the 19-year-old, who landed seven maximums en route to victory. "I didn't really get going there. Mike deserved to win the second and third sets so I had to fight back, and that's what I did. "I'm glad I got over the line. I managed to find a bit of form and I got the win."
Humphries, meanwhile, began his bid for back-to-back World Masters titles with a 3-1 win over Dave Chisnall, averaging 104.13 and crashing in seven 180s in just ten legs.
The world number two squandered five darts at double to win the opening stanza, but he made amends in emphatic fashion, producing a brace of 12 and 11-dart legs during a blistering mid-game burst.
"My scoring was top notch, but I need to sharpen up on my doubles," reflected the reigning champion. "It's always great to be the defending champion in any tournament. I've got fond memories from last year, and I'm hoping to create more memories this year. "It's a cut-throat tournament. If you're not hitting your doubles you're going to put yourself under pressure, but I'm really pleased with the way I ended that match."
Humphries' next assignment will pit him against Luke Woodhouse, who produced a scintillating 108.64 average to dismantle German number one Martin Schindler in straight sets.
The Bewdley-born star converted a stunning 136 finish to clinch the opening set, which he followed up with legs of 14, 14, 13 and 14 darts to cap off an imperious display.
"I don't feel like I've shown my true game over a really consistent period," admitted Woodhouse, a European Championship semi-finalist in 2024. "This year I really want to push on. I've just shown tonight what I'm capable of, so now it's about doing it over a long period of time and in the big TV events."
Danny Noppert overcame Daryl Gurney in a high-quality opening round affair, defying seven maximums from the Northern Irishman to secure a 3-1 victory with an average upwards of 99. The Dutchman will now take on 2024 Masters champion Stephen Bunting, who marked his return to Milton Keynes with an average of almost 99 to sink Swedish number one Jeffrey de Graaf.
Earlier in the evening, Rob Cross ran out a 3-1 winner against World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle, pinning 46% of his attempts at double to kick off his campaign. Cross' reward will be a tussle against Northern Irish number one Josh Rock, who rattled off six consecutive legs to close out a convincing 3-1 success against Connor Scutt.
Elsewhere, former European Champion Ross Smith overcame Dutch debutant Jimmy van Schie by the same scoreline to set up a clash against Littler, with a clutch 150 checkout in the penultimate set proving decisive.
The 2026 Winmau World Masters continues with a bumper double session on Saturday, as round two takes place at Arena MK.
Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price collide in an all-Welsh affair, as two-time World Champion Gary Anderson faces 2014 Masters winner James Wade in another stellar showdown.
World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen plays Nathan Aspinall for a place in the quarter-finals, while 2023 Masters champion Chris Dobey meets Australian number one Damon Heta in Saturday's opening tie.
Littler and Humphries will take centre stage on Saturday evening when they face Smith and Woodhouse respectively, with Cross and Rock also set to collide.
Elsewhere, Bunting and Noppert lock horns in a repeat of last year's quarter-finals, with coverage set to be broadcast live on ITV4 and across the PDC's global broadcast partners.
Luke Woodhouse 3-0 Martin Schindler (2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Ross Smith 3-1 Jimmy van Schie (2-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Danny Noppert 3-1 Daryl Gurney (2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Rob Cross 3-1 Ryan Searle (2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-1)
Josh Rock 3-1 Connor Scutt (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Luke Littler 3-2 Mike De Decker (2-1, 0-2, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Humphries 3-1 Dave Chisnall (1-2, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Stephen Bunting 3-1 Jeffrey de Graaf (2-0, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Report and Statistics, Second Tournament Day
Report and Statistics, First Tournament Day | Top ⇑ |
HETA DUMPS OUT VAN GERWEN AS PRICE SHINES ON NIGHT ONE OF WORLD MASTERS
Damon Heta eliminated five-time Masters winner Michael van Gerwen to deliver a big upset on Thursday evening, as Gerwyn Price impressed on the opening night in Milton Keynes.The 2026 Winmau World Masters kicked off with a scintillating night of action on Thursday at Arena MK, as Heta knocked out newly crowned Bahrain Darts Master Van Gerwen by producing a doubling clinic.
The Australian number - a two-time quarter-finalist in Milton Keynes - took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a classy 124 outshot, before Van Gerwen rallied to level proceedings. Heta then capitalised on a profligate outer-ring performance from his opponent to take the next two sets and defeat the five-time Masters winner, taking out his third ton-plus checkout to put out the world number four.
"It was special that I got the win, it didn't matter who I played," admitted Heta, who converted 63% of his double attempts.
"Me and Michael have had a few battles over the years, but to get a win over him is defiantly a feather in the cap.
"At the end of the day, you have to take your chances. I missed a few but I took a few, so happy days!"
Price produced the standout performance of the evening, averaging 108.5 in his 3-0 drubbing of James Hurrell. The former World Champion won the opening set with a 13-darter and crashed in four 180s to win six of the eight legs available to cap off a dominant display.
"I think I was a little bit ruthless in that game," confessed Price, who has not progressed past round two since 2022 in Milton Keynes.
"It's a cut-throat format, I think he had a shot at double to win the first set. You have to be more concentrated in every leg.
"I had to perform well as James played fantastic. If I had one or two slip-ups it would have been a completely different game, but thankfully I was up for it."
Price's Welsh World Cup partner Clayton also made a winning return to Arena MK, dispatching Wessel Nijman 3-1. The 2021 Masters champion and runner-up in Milton Keynes last year ceded the opening set despite taking out a whopping 161 checkout, before taking out six of the next eight legs to prevail.
Nathan Aspinall impressed in his round one clash, reeling off six straight legs and averaging over 105 to defeat debutant Shane McGuirk 3-1. The Stockport star initially trailed after McGuirk conjured up an unconventional 141 finish to lead 1-0 in sets, but Aspinall did not lose a leg from then on, taking out seven of his 11 double attempts over the contest.
European Champion Gian van Veen claimed victory in his maiden appearance at the World Masters, downing Ryan Joyce 3-1 to set up a round two showdown with Aspinall.
James Wade averaged over 102 to see past Madars Razma 3-2, as the 2014 Masters champion won eight of the 12 legs in the contest despite being pushed the distance by the Latvian number one.
2023 Masters winner Chris Dobey breezed to a whitewash victory over Jermaine Wattimena thanks to a clinical display on the outer-ring, whilst Gary Anderson delivered a 101 average to battle past a resilient Niels Zonneveld 3-2.
The Winmau World Masters continues on Friday, as defending champion Luke Humphries and World Champion Luke Littler open their campaigns. Humphries takes on St Helens star Dave Chisnall, whilst Littler will mark his second World Masters appearance by facing former World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker. Also on Friday evening, 2024 Masters winner Stephen Bunting takes on Jeffrey de Graaf, and World Cup winners Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney play Connor Scutt and Dutch arrowsmith Danny Noppert respectively.
Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena (2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld (0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-0)
James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0)
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell (2-1, 2-1, 2-0)
Damon Heta 3-1 Michael van Gerwen (2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce (1-2, 2-0 2-0, 2-1)
Statistics First Round, First Tournament Day
| Ave | 180s | Doubles | Player | v | Player | Ave | 180s | Doubles |
| 99.36 | 3 | 6/11 | Dobey | 3:0 | Wattimena | 89.73 | 2 | 2/5 |
| 101.21 | 3 | 7/21 | Anderson | 3:2 | Zonneveld | 95.01 | 2 | 5/8 |
| 102.46 | 4 | 8/15 | Wade | 3:2 | Razma | 95.80 | 4 | 4/14 |
| 105.80 | 2 | 7/11 | Aspinall | 3:1 | McGuirk | 89.67 | 1 | 2/8 |
| 102.83 | 2 | 7/13 | Clayton | 3:1 | Nijman | 91.82 | 3 | 4/11 |
| 108.51 | 4 | 6/9 | Price | 3:0 | Hurrell | 101.10 | 3 | 2/6 |
| 86.46 | 1 | 7/11 | Heta | 3:1 | v.Gerwen | 88.36 | 2 | 4/17 |
| 96.75 | 4 | 7/15 | v.Veen | 3:1 | Joycwe | 90.50 | 4 | 3/10 |
Report and Statistics, Second Tournament Day | Top ⇑ |
LITTLER & HUMPHRIES TRIUMPH ON DAY TWO IN MILTON KEYNES
Luke Littler survived a major scare against Mike De Decker on Day Two at the Winmau World Masters, as Luke Humphries began his title defence with a terrific display in Milton Keynes.
Friday's action saw the world's top two players enter the fray at Arena MK, as Littler overturned a 2-1 deficit to deny former World Grand Prix champion De Decker in a five-set thriller.
The world number one edged a competitive opening set, before De Decker - inspired by a 121 checkout on the bull - reeled off five consecutive legs to threaten a significant upset. Despite Littler missing double 15 for a nine-darter midway through set four, De Decker had an opportunity to triumph in style, only to wire double 11 for a match-winning 142 combination in the following leg. Littler capitalised on this reprieve by levelling up proceedings with a 13-darter, before completing a clean sweep in the deciding set to preserve his title aspirations.
"It was a tough game tonight," conceded the 19-year-old, who landed seven maximums en route to victory. "I didn't really get going there. Mike deserved to win the second and third sets so I had to fight back, and that's what I did. "I'm glad I got over the line. I managed to find a bit of form and I got the win."
Humphries, meanwhile, began his bid for back-to-back World Masters titles with a 3-1 win over Dave Chisnall, averaging 104.13 and crashing in seven 180s in just ten legs.
The world number two squandered five darts at double to win the opening stanza, but he made amends in emphatic fashion, producing a brace of 12 and 11-dart legs during a blistering mid-game burst.
"My scoring was top notch, but I need to sharpen up on my doubles," reflected the reigning champion. "It's always great to be the defending champion in any tournament. I've got fond memories from last year, and I'm hoping to create more memories this year. "It's a cut-throat tournament. If you're not hitting your doubles you're going to put yourself under pressure, but I'm really pleased with the way I ended that match."
Humphries' next assignment will pit him against Luke Woodhouse, who produced a scintillating 108.64 average to dismantle German number one Martin Schindler in straight sets.
The Bewdley-born star converted a stunning 136 finish to clinch the opening set, which he followed up with legs of 14, 14, 13 and 14 darts to cap off an imperious display.
"I don't feel like I've shown my true game over a really consistent period," admitted Woodhouse, a European Championship semi-finalist in 2024. "This year I really want to push on. I've just shown tonight what I'm capable of, so now it's about doing it over a long period of time and in the big TV events."
Danny Noppert overcame Daryl Gurney in a high-quality opening round affair, defying seven maximums from the Northern Irishman to secure a 3-1 victory with an average upwards of 99. The Dutchman will now take on 2024 Masters champion Stephen Bunting, who marked his return to Milton Keynes with an average of almost 99 to sink Swedish number one Jeffrey de Graaf.
Earlier in the evening, Rob Cross ran out a 3-1 winner against World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle, pinning 46% of his attempts at double to kick off his campaign. Cross' reward will be a tussle against Northern Irish number one Josh Rock, who rattled off six consecutive legs to close out a convincing 3-1 success against Connor Scutt.
Elsewhere, former European Champion Ross Smith overcame Dutch debutant Jimmy van Schie by the same scoreline to set up a clash against Littler, with a clutch 150 checkout in the penultimate set proving decisive.
The 2026 Winmau World Masters continues with a bumper double session on Saturday, as round two takes place at Arena MK.
Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price collide in an all-Welsh affair, as two-time World Champion Gary Anderson faces 2014 Masters winner James Wade in another stellar showdown.
World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen plays Nathan Aspinall for a place in the quarter-finals, while 2023 Masters champion Chris Dobey meets Australian number one Damon Heta in Saturday's opening tie.
Littler and Humphries will take centre stage on Saturday evening when they face Smith and Woodhouse respectively, with Cross and Rock also set to collide.
Elsewhere, Bunting and Noppert lock horns in a repeat of last year's quarter-finals, with coverage set to be broadcast live on ITV4 and across the PDC's global broadcast partners.
Luke Woodhouse 3-0 Martin Schindler (2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Ross Smith 3-1 Jimmy van Schie (2-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Danny Noppert 3-1 Daryl Gurney (2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Rob Cross 3-1 Ryan Searle (2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-1)
Josh Rock 3-1 Connor Scutt (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Luke Littler 3-2 Mike De Decker (2-1, 0-2, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Humphries 3-1 Dave Chisnall (1-2, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Stephen Bunting 3-1 Jeffrey de Graaf (2-0, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Statistics First Round, Second Day
| Ave | 180s | Doubles | Player | v | Player | Ave | 180s | Doubles |
| 95.55 | 1 | 1/3 | Schindler | 0:3 | Woodhouse | 108.64 | 2 | 6/11 |
| 94.13 | 3 | 7/19 | Ross | 3:1 | van Schie | 93.23 | 4 | 5/11 |
| 99.30 | 3 | 7/12 | Noppert | 3:1 | Gurney | 95.85 | 7 | 4/16 |
| 93.73 | 5 | 4/11 | Searle | 1:3 | Cross | 91.13 | 3 | 7/15 |
| 95.57 | 3 | 7/24 | Rock | 3:1 | Scutt | 92.27 | 3 | 2/7 |
| 98.62 | 7 | 6/19 | Littler | 3:2 | d.Decker | 91.42 | 1 | 6/17 |
| 104.13 | 7 | 7/20 | Humphries | 3:1 | Chisnall | 86.75 | 2 | 3/11 |
| 98.96 | 4 | 6/16 | Bunting | 3:1 | d.Graaf | 89.61 | 1 | 3/6 |