Saudi Arabia Darts Masters 2026: Schedule, Field, Draw and Predictions

The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters will take place between January 19-20 at Global Theater in Riyadh in the first edition of the World Series tournament which sees the eight PDC superstars facing off against the top eight players from the PDC Asian Tour.

Leading the PDC line-up are the likes of Luke Littler, Luke Humphries as well as Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting and there are appearances for Danny Noppert and Nathan Aspinall despite them failing to make the Premier League. Gerwyn Price completes the field.

While in the Asian field, Alexis Toylo, Lourence Ilagan, Motomu Sakai, Ryusei Azemoto, Paul Lim, Man Lok Leung, Paolo Nebrida and Tomoya Goto aim to topple the PDC big names. It follows the Bahrain Darts Masters.

The draw will be confirmed a day or so prior to the tournament beginning likely local time. It will be updated here when confirmed.

The schedule is often confirmed around the same time or shortly after albeit it will be the same as other World Series tournaments in that it will utilise the top eight PDC stars playing the eight Asian representatives in the Last 16 before the Quarter-Finals are set.

Samuel Gill, Head Editor of DartsNews.com sees Gerwyn Price as the champion.

I see Gerwyn Price bringing the atmosphere to Riyadh and I believe he will be crowned champion. The pressure will be firmly on Luke Littler as well so it might be one for Price.

Like in Bahrain, I see other players starring who perhaps have points to prove e.g Danny Noppert, Nathan Aspinall and even Price himself after his credentials in the Premier League have been questioned by Paul Nicholson.

Humphries form slump in my view will continue and then revive for the World Masters. I think that Michael van Gerwen too won't be great and we may even get some Asian players winning through with the strongest field of the two compared to Bahrain with Paolo Nebrida joining the party.

*** Gerwyn Price

** Danny Noppert, Nathan Aspinall

Nicolas Gayer, Editor for DartsNews.DE sees Luke Humphries as the winner

Darts is now also heading to Saudi Arabia – news that, in my view, cannot be glossed over even with nine-darters or 170 big fishes. Nevertheless, the sport’s superstars will fulfil their obligations and head to Riyadh at the end of January in pursuit of the second World Series title of the season.

In Riyadh, I am expecting Luke Humphries to claim his first title of the 2026 darts season. Luke Littler and Gian van Veen will, of course, once again generate headlines on the sporting side, but I also anticipate Michael van Gerwen to present himself in strong form in Saudi Arabia. A new tournament, a new title, a new country – throughout his career, these have often been the ingredients that have brought out the very best in Michael van Gerwen.

Among the Asian representatives – unsurprisingly without Saudi Arabian participation – there is one player in particular I am expecting a lot from: Paolo Nebrida. For some time now, Nebrida has been one of the Asian names I believe has the potential for a genuine PDC career. While his fate in Riyadh will largely depend on the draw, I can certainly see him producing a rare victory for the challengers.

Favourites:

***Luke Humphries

**Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen

* Gian van Veen, Danny Noppert, Nathan Aspinall

Mats Leering, Editor for DartsNieuws.com sees Luke Littler crowned champion.

After Bahrain, the players are now travelling to Saudi Arabia for the first time, where the first edition of the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters is on the programme. I am particularly curious to see how crazy the crowd will be there, but of course it's all about the darts.

Given that this is the first edition, I think everyone will be motivated to claim the first title. And if you look at pure talent, I expect Luke Littler to come out on top. I expect him to beat Luke Humphries in the final, which will most likely not be the last time these two meet in the final this year.

Other names to keep an eye on, in my opinion, are Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall. Van Veen confirmed his status as a world-class player at the World Championship and has shown that he can beat any big name. Price had some bad luck at the World Championship but has been in good form for months and always seems to perform well at World Series events. And Aspinall can also surprise when he is in form.

However, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a few surprises from the Asian contenders. Names such as Lourence Ilagan, Paolo Nebrida and Man Lok Leung are all capable of knocking out a big name.

***Luke Littler

**Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen

*Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall, Michael van Gerwen

Lucas Michael, Editor for DartsNews.com sees Nathan Aspinall rising to the challenge.

The inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters is lacking any local presence but does hold a whole heap of talent on both ends of the draw.

Similar to the event in Bahrain, I do not see any of the Asian challengers competing for the title, but there could be the possibility of a few upsets in the early stages, with the PDC regulars needing to be at their best.

I see this event straying away from the dominance of Luke Littler, with a different winner rising to the occasion. It could be anyone from the selection, depending who turns up on the day. Luke Humphries and Gian van Veen have got to be considered the favourites outside of the world number one, with both players consistently racking in high averages and going deep in events.

There is a strong Dutch contingent heading the field in Riyadh, with Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert also set to take part. I see van Gerwen as a firm contender, despite his lack of consistency on the oche. If he is motivated and has his eyes on the prize, I would not be surprised if he rolls back the years and takes the title home.

However, I am going to pick someone else for the title: Nathan Aspinall. He will be motivated to get back on track after the Premier League snub, and will be relishing the challenge of once again challenging the best players in the world on the World Series as he looks to clinch his first title in this category since 2019.

*** Nathan Aspinall

** Luke Littler, Gian van Veen

* Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Danny Noppert