Michael van Gerwen will begin his defence of the TOTO Dutch Darts Masters against his fellow countryman Dirk van Duijvenbode on Friday, as the sport’s biggest names descend on Den Bosch.
The year’s second World Series of Darts event will take place at De Maaspoort on January 24-25, as a star-studded 16-player field compete for the Toon Greebe Trophy.
Dutch superstar Van Gerwen stormed to victory on home soil 12 months ago, defeating Luke Littler in a thrilling final to maintain his incredible World Series record.
“It’s nice to be back! I feel good, I feel comfortable, and I’m looking forward to it,” insisted Van Gerwen, who will face 2022 runner-up Van Duijvenbode in Friday’s first round.
“Last year was a really amazing tournament for myself. I produced some amazing darts, but that was last year, and now I have to do the same this year.
“Nobody gave me a chance at the World Championship, but I showed everyone that I can still produce some great darts, and moving forward that gives me confidence.
“I think it’s a tough draw against Dirk, but we have 16 really good dart players in this tournament – there are no easy games.”
Van Gerwen could renew his rivalry with Littler in Saturday’s quarter-finals, in a repeat of last year’s showpiece and January’s World Championship decider.
Littler was beaten by an inspired Gerwyn Price in last weekend’s Bahrain Darts Masters quarter-finals, and he returns to action against reigning UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh.
“I’ve not picked up my darts since Bahrain,” revealed the newly-crowned World Champion.
“I celebrated my 18th birthday on Tuesday, and now I’d love to pick up my second title of 2025 here in Den Bosch.
“I’ve played Dimi plenty of times and I know how well he can play, so whoever turns up best on the day wins.”
Stephen Bunting prevailed on his Bahrain Darts Masters debut last weekend, and the reigning Masters champion begins his bid for back-to-back World Series titles against Gian van Veen.
Bunting overcame Nitin Kumar, Chris Dobey, Luke Humphries and Price to triumph in the Middle East, and he’s in confident mood ahead of his clash against World Youth Champion Van Veen.
“Getting the win in Bahrain last week; the confidence I’ve gained from that is massive,” insisted Bunting, the current world number five.
“Wherever we play – whether it be Bahrain, Germany, the Netherlands or back home in the UK, the fanbase that I’m building at the moment is crazy.
“I am playing the best I have ever played. I’m more consistent than ever before and now I’m believing I can win titles.”
World number one Humphries meets a resurgent Jermaine Wattimena in round one, in a repeat of their quarter-final tie in October’s European Championship.
Bahrain Darts Masters runner-up Price plays Dutch number two Danny Noppert in another mouth-watering showdown, with Chris Dobey pitted against Dutch icon Raymond van Barneveld.
“It’s a tough draw, but it’s one that I am relishing,” claimed Dobey, who climbed into the world’s top ten after reaching the World Championship semi-finals earlier this month.
“Raymond is a big fan favourite in the Netherlands, so playing him on his home turf is going to be exciting.
“It’s amazing to be involved in the World Series. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’m getting, and I’m looking forward to the challenges to come.”
Friday’s other first round encounters will see former World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall take on Kevin Doets, while world number four Rob Cross plays World Series debutant Richard Veenstra.
Following Friday’s first round, the tournament concludes on Saturday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in one bumper session in Den Bosch.
Watch the TOTO Dutch Masters on Viaplay in the Netherlands, Poland and Nordic & Baltic region, as well as on ITV4 in the UK and DAZN in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – as well as through other PDC broadcasters worldwide.
Coverage of the TOTO Dutch Darts Masters is also available on PDCTV outside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
2025 TOTO Dutch Darts Masters
Draw Bracket
(1) Stephen Bunting v Gian van Veen
Chris Dobey v Raymond van Barneveld
(4) Luke Littler v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode
(2) Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets
(3) Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Rob Cross v Richard Veenstra
Schedule of Play
Friday January 24 (1900 local time, 1800 GMT)
First Round
Rob Cross v Richard Veenstra
Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets
Stephen Bunting v Gian van Veen
Chris Dobey v Raymond van Barneveld
Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Littler v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Saturday January 25 (1900 local time, 1800 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
——ENDS——
Images: PDC
