Humphries is ready to start his defence of his New Zealand Darts Masters title 

Auckland will be the next stop for the World Series of Darts this weekend as 16 players — including some of the sport’s biggest names and leading Oceanic talent — battle for the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters title at the Spark Arena. The tournament runs from August 15–16 and offers a £100,000 prize fund, with the PDC stars facing off against regional qualifiers in the first round.

Humphries Begins Title Defence Against Puha

World number one Luke Humphries returns to New Zealand looking to defend the title he claimed in Hamilton last year — his first World Series success. The reigning champion’s opening match sees him take on Haupai Puha, the New Zealand number one and a Tour Card holder who came close to upsetting Luke Littler in Wollongong last week.

Humphries has already lifted the US Darts Masters trophy in 2025 but arrives in Auckland after a heavy defeat to Mike De Decker in Australia. The 29-year-old has been under the weather since landing Down Under, but will aim to avoid an early upset against a home favourite eager to impress.

Littler Looks to Extend Winning Streak

Fresh from lifting the Australian Darts Masters title, 18-year-old Luke Littler heads into the event chasing his third major trophy of the summer. After ending a five-month title drought with victory at the World Matchplay in July, Littler is now unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions.

His first assignment in Auckland comes against Mark Cleaver, a DPNZ qualifier who represented New Zealand at the World Cup of Darts earlier this year. On paper, Littler is the clear favourite, but Cleaver will be hoping the home crowd can help him cause a shock.

Price Targets Second New Zealand Crown

Former world champion Gerwyn Price — who won the New Zealand Masters in 2022 — begins his campaign against Jonny Tata, a WDF World Championship quarter-finalist. The Welshman has been a consistent force in World Series events, claiming six titles in total, with only Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen owning more. His most recent triumph came at the Poland Darts Masters just last month.

Bunting Eyes More Silverware

Top seed Stephen Bunting has been one of the standout performers of the 2025 World Series, winning the Bahrain Masters and Nordic Masters, and reaching the final in two other events. His first-round opponent is Ben Robb, who is still searching for his first victory at this tournament since 2019.

Bunting came close in Australia last week before losing out to Littler in the semi-finals, while Robb will be eager to make a statement on home soil.

Whitlock vs Dobey — Experience Meets Momentum

Australian darting icon Simon Whitlock faces Chris Dobey in a battle between experience and momentum. Dobey reached his first World Series semi-final in Wollongong, defeating Tim Pusey and Price along the way, before bowing out to De Decker. Whitlock, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Josh Rock in last week’s opener.

De Decker’s Breakthrough Continues

Belgium’s Mike De Decker produced one of the stories of last week in Wollongong, defeating Humphries en route to his first World Series final, where he eventually lost to Littler. He will kick off proceedings in Auckland against former Tour Card holder Gordon Mathers.

Rock and Heta Also in Action

Josh Rock, part of Northern Ireland’s World Cup of Darts winning team, will face John Hurring — a player who famously came within a dart of beating Rob Cross in Auckland back in 2018.

Home favourite Damon Heta, runner-up in last year’s New Zealand Masters and a double Players Championship winner this season, takes on debutant Dean Reyland.

How to Watch and Format

The action begins at 8am BST (7pm local time) on Friday. All first-round ties are played over the best of 11 legs, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final taking place on Saturday.

With title defences, unbeaten runs, and hometown heroes all in the mix, the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters promises another thrilling weekend on the World Series stage.

Humphries is ready to start his defence of his New Zealand Darts Masters title 

Schedule of Play

Friday August 15 (1900 local time)

First Round

Mike De Decker v Gordon Mathers

Josh Rock v John Hurring

Gerwyn Price v Jonny Tata

Damon Heta v Dean Reyland

Stephen Bunting v Ben Robb

Luke Humphries v Haupai Puha

Luke Littler v Mark Cleaver

Chris Dobey v Simon Whitlock

Best of 11 legs