Rock and De Decker Set for World Series Debuts as Australia and New Zealand Fields Are Finalised

The PDC has confirmed the full line-ups for the upcoming KenoGO Australian Darts Masters and the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters, with rising stars Josh Rock and Mike De Decker set to make their long-awaited debuts on the World Series of Darts stage.

This year’s World Series events in Oceania will feature two high-stakes tournaments taking place across consecutive weekends in August. First up is the Australian Darts Masters, hosted in Wollongong from August 8-9, followed by the New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland from August 15-16.

Each competition will feature a 16-player line-up, with eight of the PDC’s biggest names squaring off against eight Oceanic challengers in a knockout format. The first round will see each PDC player matched up with a regional representative, with the winners advancing to a blockbuster Finals Day comprising the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final.

New Faces, New Expectations

Among the headline additions to the World Series roster this year are Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Belgium’s Mike De Decker. Both men have earned their places through impressive form across the 2025 season.

Rock has enjoyed a breakout year so far, most notably guiding Northern Ireland to an historic maiden World Cup of Darts triumph last month. The 2022 World Youth Champion also made headlines with a run to the UK Open semi-finals in March — his first appearance in the last four of a televised ranking event. He then went on to capture his fifth career ProTour title in April, cementing his position as one of the sport’s hottest young talents.

De Decker, meanwhile, is enjoying a career-best season of his own. The current World Grand Prix champion recently surpassed compatriot Dimitri Van den Bergh to become Belgium’s top-ranked player. The 29-year-old reached a European Tour final earlier this year and will return to the World Matchplay stage this weekend. His continued surge up the rankings places him within touching distance of the world’s top 16.

World-Class Line-up for Oceania Events

Joining Rock and De Decker on the transcontinental journey will be an elite group of established stars. Reigning World Champion and world number one Luke Humphries returns to defend his New Zealand Darts Masters title, while teenage sensation Luke Littler – already a global phenomenon – will also feature.

The two Lukes will be joined by Gerwyn Price, who lifted the Australian Darts Masters trophy in 2024 with a dominant 8-1 win over Littler in the final. Price enters these events in red-hot form, having recently triumphed at the Poland Darts Masters and added a ninth European Tour title to his name in Kiel.

Premier League stars Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey also return to World Series action, with Bunting riding high after capturing titles in both Bahrain and Copenhagen earlier this year. Australian number one Damon Heta completes the PDC contingent and will be hoping to shine on home soil.

Home Hopefuls Ready to Challenge the Elite

The Oceanic representation features a mix of seasoned campaigners and fresh faces looking to make an impact on the big stage. Leading the charge is Australian darting legend Simon Whitlock, alongside New Zealand’s number one Haupai Puha, who will appear in both events.

Other familiar names include Joe Comito, Tim Pusey, and James Bailey, who secured qualification for the Australian leg through the DartPlayers Australia (DPA) circuit. Brody Klinge and Brandon Weening are also set to make their televised debuts in Wollongong.

In New Zealand, Puha will be joined by his World Cup partner Mark Cleaver and five-time World Championship qualifier Ben Robb. John Hurring returns to the fold, while newcomer Dean Reyland earns his first World Series appearance. Gordon Mathers, a former PDC Tour Card holder, completes the Auckland line-up after qualifying through the DPA system.

High Stakes, High Drama Ahead

Both events promise plenty of excitement, with every match played over a short format that often favors the underdog. Last year’s Oceania swing produced two decisive finals, with Price thrashing Littler in Australia and Humphries overcoming Heta in New Zealand.

With world-class talent, rising stars, and local heroes all set to collide, the 2025 editions of the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters look poised to deliver two thrilling weekends of World Series drama.

After these events, the World Series will briefly pause before resuming in Antwerp for the Flanders Darts Trophy (ET10) from August 29–31.

Rock and De Decker Set for World Series Debuts as Australia and New Zealand Fields Are Finalised

2025 World Series of Darts

KenoGO Australian Darts Masters

August 8-9, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong

PDC Representatives

Luke Humphries (England)

Luke Littler (England)

Damon Heta (Australia)

Stephen Bunting (England)

Gerwyn Price (Wales)

Chris Dobey (England)

Josh Rock (Northern Ireland)

Mike De Decker (Belgium)

Oceanic Representatives

Haupai Puha (New Zealand)

Simon Whitlock (Australia)

Joe Comito (Australia)

Brody Klinge (Australia)

Tim Pusey (Australia)

Brandon Weening (Australia)

James Bailey (Australia)

Jonny Tata (New Zealand)

SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters

August 15-16, Spark Arena, Auckland

PDC Representatives

Luke Humphries (England)

Luke Littler (England)

Damon Heta (Australia)

Stephen Bunting (England)

Gerwyn Price (Wales)

Chris Dobey (England)

Josh Rock (Northern Ireland)

Mike De Decker (Belgium)

Oceanic Representatives

Haupai Puha (New Zealand)

Simon Whitlock (Australia)

Jonny Tata (New Zealand)

Mark Cleaver (New Zealand)

John Hurring (New Zealand)

Ben Robb (New Zealand)

Dean Reyland (New Zealand)

Gordon Mathers (Australia)