The 2024 Bahrain Masters draw is confirmed.

Michael Smith will defend his Bahrain Darts Masters title against Paolo Nebrida, while Luke Humphries will make his World Championship debut against local qualifier Abdulla Saeed in Thursday’s first round.

The 2024 World Series of Darts kicks off this week with the second edition of the Bahrain Darts Masters, which will be held in The Dome at the Bahrain International Circuit on January 18-19.

In Thursday’s first round, eight of the sport’s top stars will face eight Asian representatives, as defending champion Smith looks to defend his title in the 16-player event.

The 2023 World Champion will face former PDC Asian Championship runner-up Nebrida, who made his second World Darts Championship appearance last month.

“It’s amazing to be back here in Bahrain, and I’m looking forward to getting back on that stage again,” reflected Smith, who defeated Gerwyn Price to triumph in last year’s decider.

“I’ve had a week in Dubai with the family to recharge the batteries and then I went to the PDC Asian Tour last weekend, which gave me the hunger to get back on the dartboard and get ready for this.”

Meanwhile, recently crowned World Champion Humphries, who became the new world number one following his Alexandra Palace heroics, will face Bahrain’s Saeed, who is making his broadcast debut on home soil after qualifying last month.

“I’m very excited to hear John McDonald announce me as the new World Champion. I think that’s a moment every World Champion looks forward to,” admitted Humphries, who is bidding to extend his incredible 19-match winning run on the big stage.

 

“My motivation is high now. I’m going to be more dedicated than ever, and I want to continue to be successful and win more major titles.”

Luke Littler, the World Championship runner-up, will face Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung in possibly the most intriguing first round match, as the World Youth Champion makes his much anticipated World Series of Darts debut.

“It’s back to business for me now,” said Littler. “I’ve chilled out and not really thrown many darts since the World Championship final, but I’m sure that once I’m in the practice room I’ll be alright.

 

“I like playing all the time but after the World Championship, I wanted to get away, which me and the family did. Hopefully, I can have a good event here to get back playing.”

Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen will make his Bahrain debut against local qualifier Hasan Haji, while 2023 runner-up Price will face Philippines’ Reynaldo Rivera.

World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall will begin his campaign against eight-time World Championship qualifier Lourence Ilagan, while 2018 World Champion Rob Cross will face young Japanese star Tomoya Goto.

On Thursday, two-time World Champion Peter Wright will open the event, competing against PDC Asian Champion Haruki Muramatsu for the opportunity to face Smith or Nebrida in the last eight.

2024 Bahrain Darts Masters

Draw Bracket

(1) Luke Humphries v Abdulla Saeed

Gerwyn Price v Reynaldo Rivera

(4) Nathan Aspinall v Lourence Ilagan

Luke Littler v Man Lok Leung

(2) Michael van Gerwen v Hasan Haji

Rob Cross v Tomoya Goto

(3) Michael Smith v Paolo Nebrida

Peter Wright v Haruki Muramatsu

 

Schedule of Play

Thursday, January 18 (1900 local time, 1600 GMT)

First Round

Peter Wright v Haruki Muramatsu

Gerwyn Price v Reynaldo Rivera

Nathan Aspinall v Lourence Ilagan

Rob Cross v Tomoya Goto

Luke Littler v Man Lok Leung

Luke Humphries v Abdulla Saeed

Michael van Gerwen v Hasan Haji

Michael Smith v Paolo Nebrida

 

Friday, January 19 (1900 local time, 1600 GMT)

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Final

 

Format

First Round – Best of 11 legs

Quarter-Finals – Best of 11 legs

Semi-Finals – Best of 13 legs

Final – Best of 15 legs