The 2025 World Series of Darts global tour rolls into its final destination of the year this coming weekend—Auckland, New Zealand.
It’s the seventh leg of a journey that has spanned four continents, countless flights, and probably enough hotel breakfasts to feed a small army. In a couple of months, the circus heads back to Amsterdam for the grand finale – the World Series of Darts Finals.
New Zealand has hosted a World Series stop-off since 2015 – COVID put a temporary halt to proceedings, but that’s a story for another day. Fun fact: Adrian Lewis edged out Raymond van Barneveld in the nation’s first ever final. Not fun of course for Barney.
Now, for the first time since 2018, the Kiwi leg of the Down Under tour returns to Auckland in all its glory. After a few name changes and costume tweaks over the years, it’s now officially the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters. The PDC eight – which sounds a little like a Quentin Tarantino film – remain the same from last week’s event across the Tasman, but the Oceanic line-up rotates to reflect the current Kiwi rankings.
Simon Whitlock and Haupai Puha keep their spots in the starting line-up. Puha, because he’s got a PDC tour card and is currently the only Kiwi wielding one – an honour not to be sniffed at. Whitlock…well, because he’s Simon Whitlock. That’s like having an Oasis gig without either Gallagher brother.
Joining them from DPNZ qualifiers are Jonny Tata (the only other Oceanic bloke from the Wollongong event), Mark Cleaver, John Hurring, Ben Robb, and Dean Reyland. Gordon Mathers gets a nod as the DPA qualifier, completing the local contingent. All keen to make life difficult for the PDC stars and maybe nab a selfie or two along the way.
Defending champion is Luke Humphries, who last year beat Damon Heta 8-2 in Hamilton. Aside from this year’s US Masters victory, that was Cool Hands’ only other World Series Tour triumph to date. Somehow, I doubt his career tally will end at two.
And of course, we can’t forget the other bloke named Luke who’s equally handy on the oche. He picked up his first WSOD title on Australasian soil just last week, so there’s every chance he doubles up in Auckland. The Warringtonian always has faith – and just to be sure, he took his own.
2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters
August 15-16, Spark Arena, Auckland
Draw Bracket
(1) Stephen Bunting v Ben Robb
Chris Dobey v Simon Whitlock
(4) Luke Humphries v Haupai Puha
Damon Heta v Dean Reyland
(2) Gerwyn Price v Jonny Tata
Josh Rock v John Hurring
(3) Luke Littler v Mark Cleaver
Mike De Decker v Gordon Mathers
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
Saturday August 16 (1900 local time)
Quarter-Finals
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.
—–ENDS—–
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