2025 World Series of Darts Finals: Amsterdam Braced for Showpiece Weekend

The World Series of Darts Finals returns to Amsterdam this weekend, with AFAS Live preparing to host three days of top-class arrows from Friday September 12 to Sunday September 14. A 32-player line-up featuring world champions, major winners and rising stars will battle it out for the £80,000 top prize in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PDC calendar.

At the centre of attention is defending champion Luke Littler, who will step on stage for his opening tie against Australian stalwart Simon Whitlock. The teenage sensation captured this title in spectacular fashion last year, and after a remarkable summer on the global circuit, he heads into the Dutch showpiece brimming with belief.

“I’ve never faced Simon before so it will be a new challenge, but I know it will be a good game,” said Littler. “Last year was brilliant for me – the match against Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals probably stands out as the highlight. To win it again would mean the world. I know I can do it because I’ve done it before, and right now I’m in really good form.”

That confidence is well-founded. Littler lifted successive World Series titles in Wollongong and Auckland before returning to Europe to claim another title in Antwerp. With momentum firmly on his side, few will bet against him enjoying another deep run in Amsterdam.

A Star-Studded Opening Night

The action begins on Friday evening, with several headline names set to appear in a packed first session. Top seed Stephen Bunting, who topped the 2025 World Series rankings thanks to triumphs in Bahrain and Copenhagen, will face Dutch number two Danny Noppert in what promises to be a fiercely competitive opener.

Bunting has enjoyed one of the best years of his career, not only collecting two World Series titles but also reaching finals in Den Bosch and Gliwice. The 2024 Masters champion has relished the circuit, though he admits Noppert is a dangerous early opponent. “It’s been a great campaign and I feel fresh heading into the weekend. Danny’s been playing well, so I’ll need to be at my best.”

World number one Luke Humphries is also in Friday’s line-up. The reigning US Masters champion begins with a blockbuster showdown against James Wade, the 2018 World Series Finals winner. The pair met just last week at the Czech Darts Open, where Humphries ran out a convincing 7-1 winner in the semi-finals before going on to lift the trophy. Wade, however, has been one of the most consistent performers of the season, stringing together three straight European Tour semi-final appearances in addition to reaching the finals of both the UK Open and World Matchplay.

Meanwhile, Dutch hero Michael van Gerwen will ignite home hopes when he takes on young compatriot Wessel Nijman. Van Gerwen is chasing a record-extending sixth World Series Finals crown, while Nijman will be eager to impress on the big stage after coming through the Tour Card Holder Qualifier.

Friday’s other ties include Rob Cross against New Zealand’s Haupai Puha, and Belgian star Mike De Decker – seeded after his impressive summer – against Germany’s Gabriel Clemens. Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock meets Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, Damon Heta plays Joe Cullen, and the curtain-raiser features a Dutch battle between Kevin Doets and Jermaine Wattimena.

Saturday Showdowns

Saturday’s afternoon session completes the first round, with Littler’s clash against Whitlock taking top billing. Fans will also see former champions Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton testing themselves against American debutants Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon. Dutch icon Raymond van Barneveld will lock horns with Norway’s Cor Dekker, while Peter Wright faces Scotland’s Cameron Menzies in a fiery all-Scottish contest.

Elsewhere, Nathan Aspinall – a runner-up in 2023 – faces Dave Chisnall, Ross Smith meets New Zealand’s Jonny Tata, and Premier League star Chris Dobey starts his campaign against first-timer Luke Woodhouse.

The evening session will then see the remaining players return for round two, with the winners from both days of opening-round action thrown back into the mix.

The Road to Sunday Glory

By Sunday, the field will be whittled down to the last eight. The quarter-finals are scheduled for the afternoon session before the competition reaches its climax with the semi-finals and final in the evening. With £400,000 in total prize money on offer and the World Series title at stake, the atmosphere at AFAS Live is set to be electric.

For Littler, a successful defence would add yet another milestone to his rapidly growing résumé. For veterans like Van Gerwen, Wade, and Whitlock, it’s another chance to prove their enduring class. And for newer names such as Rock, De Decker and Woodhouse, it represents an opportunity to break through on the world stage.

One thing is certain – Amsterdam is in for another unforgettable weekend of darts.

2025 World Series of Darts Finals: Amsterdam Braced for Showpiece Weekend

2025 Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals

September 12-14

AFAS Live, Amsterdam

Draw Bracket

(1) Stephen Bunting v Danny Noppert

Krzysztof Ratajski v Josh Rock

(8) Mike De Decker v Gabriel Clemens

Damon Heta v Joe Cullen

(4) Luke Humphries v James Wade

Kevin Doets v Jermaine Wattimena

(5) Rob Cross v Haupai Puha

Wessel Nijman v Michael van Gerwen

(2) Luke Littler v Simon Whitlock

Jonny Clayton v Jason Brandon

(7) Nathan Aspinall v Dave Chisnall

Jonny Tata v Ross Smith

(3) Gerwyn Price v Danny Lauby

Cor Dekker v Raymond van Barneveld

(6) Chris Dobey v Luke Woodhouse

Cameron Menzies v Peter Wright

Schedule of Play

Friday September 12 (1900 local time)

First Round x8

Kevin Doets v Jermaine Wattimena

Krzysztof Ratajski v Josh Rock

Damon Heta v Joe Cullen

Mike De Decker v Gabriel Clemens

Luke Humphries v James Wade

Wessel Nijman v Michael van Gerwen

Stephen Bunting v Danny Noppert

Rob Cross v Haupai Puha

Saturday September 13

Afternoon Session (1245 local time)

First Round x8

Chris Dobey v Luke Woodhouse

Cameron Menzies v Peter Wright

Jonny Tata v Ross Smith

Cor Dekker v Raymond van Barneveld

Gerwyn Price v Danny Lauby

Luke Littler v Simon Whitlock

Jonny Clayton v Jason Brandon

Nathan Aspinall v Dave Chisnall

Evening Session (1900 local time)

Second Round

De Decker/Clemens v Heta/Cullen

Bunting/Noppert v Ratajski/Rock

Humphries/Wade v Doets/Wattimena

Cross/Puha v Nijman/Van Gerwen

Price/Lauby v Dekker/Van Barneveld

Dobey/Woodhouse v Menzies/Wright

Littler/Whitlock v Clayton/Brandon

Aspinall/Chisnall v Tata/R Smith

Sunday September 14

Afternoon Session (1245 local time)

Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (1900 local time)

Semi-Finals

Final