The desert lights are flicking on, the boards are being bolted down, and the World Series caravan rolls into the Middle East once more. The 2026 Bahrain Darts Masters explodes into life on Thursday night, with one man instantly pulling the gravitational force of the entire tournament towards him – Luke Littler.
Fresh off retaining the Sid Waddell Trophy and casually reminding the sport who owns the crown, the world number one steps back into competitive action for the first time since lifting that famous silverware. And Bahrain, of all places, is where the noise starts again.
It was here that Littler first detonated on the global stage – a nine-darter, a dismantling of Michael van Gerwen, and the now-iconic date palm trophy hoisted like it weighed nothing. Last year, Gerwyn Price slammed the door shut with a jaw-dropping 115.31 average, but history has a habit of looping back around when Littler’s involved.
“I’ve been chilling out, throwing a few darts and I’ll be ready for tomorrow,” he shrugged, ahead of an opening-night meeting with Singapore legend Paul Lim – a generational clash separated by 53 years and one frightening level of scoring power.
“When I came here two years ago I was coming here after the defeat to Luke [Humphries], and people were wondering if that run was a fluke, so that was a big moment for me.
“I couldn’t defend my title last year, but hopefully I can start the new 2026 season with a win.”
Thursday’s opening round sees the familiar World Series format return – eight PDC heavyweights thrown headfirst into battle with eight Asian representatives, all chasing a spot on Finals Day.
Reigning champion Stephen Bunting is back to defend his crown after a dominant 2025 World Series campaign that saw him top the rankings. The Liverpool left-hander opens against Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto, with either Michael van Gerwen or Asian Tour winner Alexis Toylo lurking beyond.
Then there’s Gian van Veen – the new Dutch number one and one of the breakout forces of last season. His 2025 surge ended under the Alexandra Palace spotlight, launching him into the world’s top three, and he begins here against Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung in a rematch soaked in unfinished business.
“I wanted to play Man Lok Leung because of course everyone remembers that game at the World Championship two years ago,” van Veen admitted.
“It was my first game at Alexandra Palace, so I wanted revenge, and hopefully I’ll be able to get it tomorrow.
“2025 was an amazing year for me. Of course it’s going to be difficult to get to the same level in 2026, but hopefully it’s going to be another great one.
“It’s fantastic to be here in Bahrain for the first time. It’s an honour.”
Elsewhere, Luke Humphries faces Bahrain’s Abdulla Saeed for the third straight year, Gerwyn Price returns against Japan’s cult hero Motomu Sakai, and Danny Noppert takes on local favourite Basem Mahmood.
One night to survive. One trophy carved from tradition. And the first World Series title of 2026 waiting under the lights.
Round One (Friday)
(Best of 11 legs)
Gerwyn Price v Motomu Sakai
Gian van Veen v Man Lok Leung
Danny Noppert v Basem Mahmood
Nathan Aspinall v Lourence Ilagan
Luke Humphries v Abdulla Saeed
Luke Littler v Paul Lim
Michael van Gerwen v Alexis Toylo
Stephen Bunting v Ryusei Azemoto
Quarter-Finals (Friday)
(Best of 11 legs)
Littler or Lim v Price or Sakai
Van Gerwen or Toylo v Bunting or Azemoto
Humphries or Saeed v Aspinall or Ilagan
Van Veen or Leung v Noppert or Mahmood
Semi-Finals (Friday)
(Best of 13 legs)
Final (Friday)
(Best of 15 legs)
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
