Darts: Michael van Gerwen eliminated from World Series Finals

World Series of Darts Finals Michael van Gerwen Daryl Gurney Gian van Veen professional darts

The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam saw a major upset on the opening night as defending champion Michael van Gerwen was eliminated in the first round. Van Gerwen lost 6-5 to Daryl Gurney, who entered the tournament as a late replacement for Lourence Ilagan. Despite Van Gerwen leading 5-3, Gurney completed a comeback after the Dutchman missed several match darts.

Other notable results from the opening sessions included Gian van Veen securing a 6-2 victory over Chris Dobey to advance to the second round. Van Veen noted that while his performance felt inconsistent following a recent surgery, his scoring averages remained high. Additionally, Stephen Bunting was knocked out by Josh Rock, while Luke Humphries secured a 6-4 win against Jermaine Wattimena.

The tournament, organized by the PDC, features a 32-player field and a total prize pool of £450,000. Notable absences from the event include Gary Anderson, who declined his invitation.