Gerwyn Price will begin his defence of the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters against Joe Comito on Friday, with the draw and schedule of play confirmed for the World Series of Darts event.
The opening leg of the PDC’s World Series of Darts Oceanic double-header will take place on August 8-9, as a 16-player field compete for silverware in Wollongong.
Friday’s first round will see the eight PDC stars take on eight Oceanic representatives, with reigning champion Price pitted against Australian qualifier Comito, who made his World Darts Championship debut last year.
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Highlights from the World Matchplay final, where Luke Littler claimed an impressive victory against James Wade
World Champion Luke Littler – runner-up to Price on debut last year – will face New Zealand’s premier player Haupai Puha, while world No 1 Luke Humphries plays Puha’s fellow countryman Jonny Tata for a place in the quarter-finals.
Littler, who is also the reigning World Series of Darts Finals champion and was a 2024 winner in Bahrain and Poland during his incredible first year on the PDC circuit, said: “I’ve been here a few days now, so I’ve settled in but once Friday night comes, we’re in the venue and the crowd are pumping, it will definitely get me up for it.
“Once you are runner-up you want to come back the next year and win it. It’s a long time but now we are here and coming off the back of the Matchplay win, I am feeling very confident and up for the task.
“I got tested in Blackpool and I definitely made a good 10 days of it. Happy to come out with the win and claim the Triple Crown but now we’re Down Under, it’s a different competition and a different mindset.”
Northern Ireland’s World Cup winner Josh Rock will make his World Series bow against Australian icon Simon Whitlock in one of Friday’s stand-out ties, as World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker marks his debut down under with a clash against newcomer Brandon Weening.
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Highlights of Luke Littler against Josh Rock in the semi-final of the World Matchplay
Rock has taken his game to new levels this year, including a World Cup win for Northern Ireland alongside Daryl Gurney in June, but he says he does not yet class himself as one of the game’s elite players.
“Not just yet,” he said. “The Premier League is the aim for next year if not then the year after, then I’ll class myself as an elite player.
“My game has been in a very good place all year, if I keep playing well I can see myself going up higher in the ratings.
“It will obviously be fantastic to win, if you’re going to put your name on the World Series why not do it at the first try?”
Australian No 1 Damon Heta makes his return to home soil against two-time World Championship qualifier James Bailey, with top seed Stephen Bunting drawn against emerging star Brody Klinge.
World No 7 Chris Dobey will get his campaign under way against Australia’s Tim Pusey, who makes his return to World Series action following a six-year hiatus.
Friday’s first round starts at 7pm local time (10am UK and Ireland time) before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place on a bumper Finals Day on Saturday.
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A comparison between Littler’s perfect leg and the vintage nine-darter made my Michael Smith in the 2023 World Darts Championship
Australian Darts Masters
Schedule of Play
Friday August 8
Round One
Mike De Decker vs Brandon Weening
Gerwyn Price vs Joe Comito
Stephen Bunting vs Brody Klinge
Luke Humphries vs Jonny Tata
Damon Heta vs James Bailey
Luke Littler vs Haupai Puha
Josh Rock vs Simon Whitlock
Chris Dobey vs Tim Pusey
Best of 11 legs
Saturday August 9
Quarter-Finals
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs
Format
First Round – Best of 11 legs
Quarter-Finals – Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals – Best of 13 legs
Final – Best of 15 legs
Which event is next on Sky Sports?
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Highlights of the World Grand Prix 2024 between Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker
The 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix will take place at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester from October 6-12, as 32 of the world’s top stars compete in one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries are set to be joined by world champion Luke Littler in headlining this year’s field.
Mike De Decker sensationally stormed to his first Premier Event title at last year’s event.
Sky Sports will once again be the home of the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and more! Stream darts and more top sport with NOW
