"I think everybody in this tournament will feel this is an opportunity to win a TV title": No Littler, Humphries and a big chance for Gian van Veen
PDCFriday, 14 August 2026 at 11:44
Gian van Veen heads into the New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland on Friday as the top seed. The current Dutch number one will make his long-awaited Down Under debut at Spark Arena and hopes to crown his first appearance in New Zealand with a title right away.
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The New Zealand Darts Masters is the opening leg of the World Series double-header in Oceania. Van Veen faces Jonny Tata in the first round. The New Zealander has previously represented his country at the World Cup of Darts and will look to spring a surprise in front of a home crowd.
Van Veen, the current world number two, is fully aware of the threat posed by his first opponent. Even so, the Dutchman is confident of a positive outcome.
Van Veen, the current world number two, is fully aware of the threat posed by his first opponent. Even so, the Dutchman is confident of a positive outcome.
“Jonny is a dangerous opponent, but I know what to expect and I know what I have to produce to beat him,” declared the Dutch number one,” Van Veen said ahead of the tournament in an interview with pdc.tv.
Gian van Veen begins the New Zealand Darts Masters on Friday as the top seed
The absence of several big names also creates opportunities for the rest of the field. Van Veen firmly includes himself among the players capable of claiming the top prize in Auckland. “I think everybody in this tournament will feel this is an opportunity to win a TV title, and I’m thinking the same."
Van Veen’s first trip to this part of the world is special regardless. Starting the event as the world number two only adds to the significance of his Down Under debut, he says. "Especially coming here as the world number two, it’s a dream come true for me, and hopefully I can play well this week.
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Van Veen has shown signs of rediscovering form in recent weeks, but he is still waiting for his first title of 2026. He wants to change that in Auckland. “The last few weeks have been going well, but I still haven’t picked up a title this year, so it would be nice to kickstart things by lifting the title.”
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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