After the excitement of Auckland culminating in an excellent but un-expected final, the World Series heads to Melbourne for the first of two events in Australia.
Auckland finalists Kyle Anderson and Corey Cadby will again headline for the non-seeds, both will be hoping to make the most of a home crowd as they attempt to reach the same stage again. Seed Simon Whitlock will also be hoping for crowd support as he plays in Australia as the seeded player for the first time.
Its unchanged in the seed ranks; Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Phil Taylor are joined by James Wade, Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld, Daryl Gurney and the previously mentioned Simon Whitlock. All eight will be looking to avoid an early upset, keeping one eye on the World Series Order of Merit with Michael van Gerwen again absent. The Scottish world cup pairing of Anderson and Wright will be particularly keen to atone for last weeks first round losses.
In the qualifiers ranks, Rhys Mathewson and David Platt will again appear in the world series. The pair both had memorable games in Sydney last year for differing reasons. Mathewson produced a fabulous comeback against James Wade from 5-2 down to win 6-5 as the Machine missed handfuls of doubles. Platt wasn’t as successful as Matthewson, but was featured in stories all the same as he noticeably upset Gary Anderson, the 2-Time world champion upset with Platts antics whilst collecting his darts from the board.
Dave Marland and Justin Thompson will make their TV debuts, whilst Kiwi Koha Kokiri will return to our tv screens after appearances in the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Perth Masters. Cody Harris completes the line-up, the talented Kiwi world cup player still yet to fully show what he is capable of to a UK audience.
Coverage will be available internationally via numerous associated betting websites, whilst UK coverage will again be delayed on ITV4.
Unibet Melbourne Darts Masters - Final Field
PDC Representatives
Gary Anderson
Peter Wright
James Wade
Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld
Michael Smith
Simon Whitlock
Daryl Gurney
Oceanic Representatives
Invited Player: Kyle Anderson
Top three players from DPA World Series Order of Merit: Corey Cadby, Rhys Mathewson & Justin Thompson
DPNZ Qualifier: Cody Harris
DPA Qualifiers: David Platt, Dave Marland, Koha Kokiri
Auckland finalists Kyle Anderson and Corey Cadby will again headline for the non-seeds, both will be hoping to make the most of a home crowd as they attempt to reach the same stage again. Seed Simon Whitlock will also be hoping for crowd support as he plays in Australia as the seeded player for the first time.
Its unchanged in the seed ranks; Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Phil Taylor are joined by James Wade, Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld, Daryl Gurney and the previously mentioned Simon Whitlock. All eight will be looking to avoid an early upset, keeping one eye on the World Series Order of Merit with Michael van Gerwen again absent. The Scottish world cup pairing of Anderson and Wright will be particularly keen to atone for last weeks first round losses.
In the qualifiers ranks, Rhys Mathewson and David Platt will again appear in the world series. The pair both had memorable games in Sydney last year for differing reasons. Mathewson produced a fabulous comeback against James Wade from 5-2 down to win 6-5 as the Machine missed handfuls of doubles. Platt wasn’t as successful as Matthewson, but was featured in stories all the same as he noticeably upset Gary Anderson, the 2-Time world champion upset with Platts antics whilst collecting his darts from the board.
Dave Marland and Justin Thompson will make their TV debuts, whilst Kiwi Koha Kokiri will return to our tv screens after appearances in the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Perth Masters. Cody Harris completes the line-up, the talented Kiwi world cup player still yet to fully show what he is capable of to a UK audience.
Coverage will be available internationally via numerous associated betting websites, whilst UK coverage will again be delayed on ITV4.
Unibet Melbourne Darts Masters - Final Field
PDC Representatives
Gary Anderson
Peter Wright
James Wade
Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld
Michael Smith
Simon Whitlock
Daryl Gurney
Oceanic Representatives
Invited Player: Kyle Anderson
Top three players from DPA World Series Order of Merit: Corey Cadby, Rhys Mathewson & Justin Thompson
DPNZ Qualifier: Cody Harris
DPA Qualifiers: David Platt, Dave Marland, Koha Kokiri
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I stumbled into the world of darts quite by accident back in 2013. For a Journalism School assignment, I had to produce a live sports report and as it happened, the European Tour event in Veldhoven was the only available option. That weekend, I caught the darts bug. The post-match interviews especially appealed to me, as darts players tend to be much more open and approachable than what you usually see with footballers on television.
After a few detours, I joined Dartsnieuws.com in 2017 as editor-in-chief. I don’t have much competitive experience myself, although I once entered a PDC Development Tour weekend just to experience what it’s like from a player’s perspective. I even managed to win a leg against a Tour Card holder and, quite by accident, earned £50 in prize money.
In 2022, I was also involved in the founding of the TOTO Dart Kings, a commercial darts team, where I worked as media manager for three years. Unfortunately, due to new legislation in the Netherlands, that project came to an end in 2025.
Through my work in darts, I’ve been fortunate to travel to some incredible events, from Premier League nights at Ahoy Rotterdam, to several World Championships, and even the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Beyond darts, I’m a passionate sports fan in general. You can always wake me up for a game of tennis or padel, and I love following football, tennis, padel, cycling, Formula 1, and ice skating.
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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