Schedule Friday Dutch Darts Masters 2025: Littler, Van Gerwen, Humphries and Bunting begin Den Bosch campaigns
PDC
The World Series of Darts resumes on Friday with the opening round of the 2025 Dutch Darts Masters taking place at Maaspoort in Den Bosch. It is the third edition of the tournament with Michael van Gerwen as defending champion.
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But also he will return after missing the opening World Series of Darts tournament of the season through a family holiday in Thailand. Refreshed and ready for the run-in, he rejoins the established World Series line-up or as it is better known, the Premier League Darts line-up against home representatives.
Mike de Decker seemingly was invited but he is on holiday instead. Also Vincent van der Voort supposedly wanted his farewell at this tournament but wasn't afforded it. Still the Benelux contingent will include Raymond van Barneveld, a Jermaine Wattimena truly at his best, Kevin Doets and Dimitri van den Bergh.
As well as of course Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, Chris Dobey, Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross and the Bahrain champion Stephen Bunting.
Van Gerwen opens up against Dirk van Duijvenbode in a tasty home hope tie. Littler will face off against Van den Bergh in his first match as an 18-year-old. He could set up a first re-run of the World Championship final in the Quarter-Finals. Top seed Bunting who was sublime last week in the Middle East and perhaps overshadowed before winning the title by Gerwyn Price throwing a massive 115 average minutes after his 112 will face Gian van Veen.
Despite Littler, Van Gerwen etc likely being the favourites, Bunting perhaps goes in with the most stock after an incredible 2024 and opening to the year. After his Masters win last season, his stock has risen exponentially and he is playing the darts of his life. Gerwyn Price isn't playing too badly either after a poor year in comparison. He threw that 115 average to defeat Luke Littler who perhaps saw it as a blessing in disguise.
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Now 18, Luke Littler returns to action. But is Stephen Bunting an outside favourite for two in a row?
Littler was back in Manchester on Saturday watching the Misfits Influencer boxing card and then was paraded around Old Trafford as Manchester United's woes continued but he was able to go home early after being defeated by Price.
'The Iceman' will face former UK Open champion, Danny Noppert. While World Number One Luke Humphries played some good darts last weekend whilst not being spectacular, he faces Jermaine Wattimena who reached the European Championship final last season. He has finally emerged from the pack after being a bit part player before. While Raymond van Barneveld as ever returns.
The doyen of Dutch darts Raymond van Barneveld returns.
A player that with his links to the sponsors TOTO and being in their Dart Kings stable as well as a home hero was always going to be involved, he faces Chris Dobey who perhaps isn't the A side in this battle given the opponent. While Rob Cross faces World Series debutant Richard Veenstra. Some perhaps were puzzled why Wessel Nijman didn't get the chance instead with the rising star being one of the players of last year but instead it is 'Flyers' turn.
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Kevin Doets also is afforded a chance after he beat Michael Smith at the World Darts Championship showing a superb account of himself. He will aim to dump out Nathan Aspinall.
As ever it follows a pattern with the first round taking place in bracket order. The Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final will be played on Friday night. Both start at 6pm.
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TV Guide
The Dutch Darts Masters will be broadcast in the UK as usual by ITV4. All matches during both sessions can be seen via this channel.
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It will begin at 6pm on Thursday which takes in the first round with a bumper Friday featuring the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final all in one session to crown the champion also from 6pm.
Prize Money
The Prize Money remains the same from previous World Series of Darts editions with £20,000 to the winner. The runner-up seals £10,000. While semi-finalists seal £10,000. The Quarter-Finals gleams £2,500 while losing in the first round claims £1,250.
As ever these events are non-ranked so won't count towards the PDC rankings.
Format
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| Round | Best of (legs) |
| First Round | 11 legs |
| Quarter-Finals | 11 legs |
| Semi-Finals | 13 legs |
| Final | 15 legs |
Schedule Dutch Darts Masters 2025
Friday January 24 (1900 local time, 1800 GMT)
First Round
Rob Cross v Richard Veenstra
Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets
Stephen Bunting v Gian van Veen
Chris Dobey v Raymond van Barneveld
Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Littler v Dimitri Van den Bergh
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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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- Well,I suppose if you don't play the tournaments ,then why should any player qualify? There are players who enter every tournament,and if they don't win it,they carry on, spending money they haven't won,yet certain players seem to think they should qualify. Winners only I thinkrick6714-11-2026
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- 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