Phil Taylor will be looking to continue where he left off in Blackpool as the World Series of Darts returns this week. Starting off in Auckland New Zealand, before two stops in Australia, the international exhibition series will again see eight of the top PDC pros pitted against eight qualifiers.
Taylor will be joined by the likes of Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Raymond Van Barneveld and Aussie star Simon Whitlock this time competing as a PDC seed rather than a home nation qualifier pick. James Wade, Michael Smith, and an in-form Daryl Gurney, complete the line-up and take the title home with Michael Van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis both missing out due to family commitments.
Kyle Anderson will be leading the line for the qualifiers with a recent maiden pro tour title under his belt, winning Players Championship 17. The world number 28 also hit a 9 darter on his way to taking the title in Barnsley last weekend. He’ll be joined by fellow Aussie sensation and World Youth Champion Corey Cadby who made a name for himself in the World Series events last year beating Phil Taylor 6-2 in Perth, avenging his 6-3 loss from the week before in Sydney.
New Zealand’s World Cup duo of Cody Harris and Rob Szabo will again be present, as will veteran Warren Parry. The top 3 from the DPNZ rankings will all be hoping to fare better than last year, collectively winning just 3 legs in the first round.
The 16 players will be rounded off by Mark Cleaver, Darren Hereweni and Rob Modra all winning a qualifier. Cleaver who appeared in the same event in 2015 won the first qualifying event, beating Modra 6-3. Koha Kokiri then narrowly missed out on appearing in Auckland, losing to both TV debutant Darren Hereweni in the second event 6-4, before Modra avenged his earlier final loss becoming the third and final qualifier with a 6-5 win. Kokiri won’t be too disheartened though, fans of the 2015 World Championships will get to see him in both Melbourne and Perth in the coming weeks.
The Auckland Darts Masters, Presented by TAB and Burger will start on Friday 11th August, with play finishing on Sunday 13th. UK Viewers can watch delayed coverage via ITV4.
Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King - Final Field
PDC Representatives
Gary Anderson
Peter Wright
James Wade
Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld
Michael Smith
Simon Whitlock
Daryl Gurney
Oceanic Representatives
Invited Players: Kyle Anderson & Cody Harris
Top two players from 2017 DPNZ Rankings: Rob Szabo & Warren Parry
DPA Qualifier: Corey Cadby
DPNZ Qualifiers: Mark Cleaver, Darren Herewini, Rob Modra
Taylor will be joined by the likes of Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Raymond Van Barneveld and Aussie star Simon Whitlock this time competing as a PDC seed rather than a home nation qualifier pick. James Wade, Michael Smith, and an in-form Daryl Gurney, complete the line-up and take the title home with Michael Van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis both missing out due to family commitments.
Kyle Anderson will be leading the line for the qualifiers with a recent maiden pro tour title under his belt, winning Players Championship 17. The world number 28 also hit a 9 darter on his way to taking the title in Barnsley last weekend. He’ll be joined by fellow Aussie sensation and World Youth Champion Corey Cadby who made a name for himself in the World Series events last year beating Phil Taylor 6-2 in Perth, avenging his 6-3 loss from the week before in Sydney.
New Zealand’s World Cup duo of Cody Harris and Rob Szabo will again be present, as will veteran Warren Parry. The top 3 from the DPNZ rankings will all be hoping to fare better than last year, collectively winning just 3 legs in the first round.
The 16 players will be rounded off by Mark Cleaver, Darren Hereweni and Rob Modra all winning a qualifier. Cleaver who appeared in the same event in 2015 won the first qualifying event, beating Modra 6-3. Koha Kokiri then narrowly missed out on appearing in Auckland, losing to both TV debutant Darren Hereweni in the second event 6-4, before Modra avenged his earlier final loss becoming the third and final qualifier with a 6-5 win. Kokiri won’t be too disheartened though, fans of the 2015 World Championships will get to see him in both Melbourne and Perth in the coming weeks.
The Auckland Darts Masters, Presented by TAB and Burger will start on Friday 11th August, with play finishing on Sunday 13th. UK Viewers can watch delayed coverage via ITV4.
Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King - Final Field
PDC Representatives
Gary Anderson
Peter Wright
James Wade
Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld
Michael Smith
Simon Whitlock
Daryl Gurney
Oceanic Representatives
Invited Players: Kyle Anderson & Cody Harris
Top two players from 2017 DPNZ Rankings: Rob Szabo & Warren Parry
DPA Qualifier: Corey Cadby
DPNZ Qualifiers: Mark Cleaver, Darren Herewini, Rob Modra
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- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026