Darts’ spell Down Under continues this week as some of the sport’s biggest names compete in the New Zealand Masters.
The latest World Series event comes less than a week after Luke Littler triumphed at the Australian Darts Masters with an 8-4 victory over Mike De Decker in Wollongong, Sydney.
Luke Humphries is the reigning champion in New Zealand, comfortably beating Damon Heta in last year’s final in Hamilton.
After edging past teenage sensation Littler in a thrilling 7–6 semi-final comeback, the world No.1 then thrashed Australia’s Heta 8-2 to claim his first World Series title.
The 30-year-old is now back to defend his title this year, as he headlines the PDC representation, alongside Littler.
2024 finalist Heta is also returning to compete, as well as Premier League stars Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey and Gerywn Price.
New Zealand Masters: Date and where to watch
The event will begin on Friday, 15 August, and come to a close the next day on Saturday, 16 August.
It is taking place at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.
The action is expected to begin at 9pm local time on both days, which is 10am UK time.
Fans will be able to watch the tournament for FREE in the UK.
ITV4 will be broadcasting the event, but on a delay, not broadcasting until 7pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday.
If you want to watch the action live as it happens, it will be streamed on PDCTV, with subscriptions costing £4.99 per month.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date.
New Zealand Masters: Format
The New Zealand Masters includes a total of 16 players.
Eight of those will be representatives of the PDC, while the other eight will be qualifiers from the Oceanic region.
The tournament will be played across a first round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a knockout format.
First round matches are best of 11 legs and it’s the same for the quarters before things change in the latter stages.
The semi-finals are best of 13 legs and the final is best of 15.
The winner of the tournament will win £20,000 in prize money.
New Zealand Darts Masters: Prize money details
Total prize pot: £60,000
- Winner: £20,000
- Runner-up: £10,000
- Semi-finalist: £5,000
- Quarter-finalist: £2,500
- First-round losers: £1,250
New Zealand Masters: Draw and players
As mentioned, Littler, Humphries and Price are the leading PDC representatives, with Bunting and Dobey involved too.
From Oceania, darts legend Simon Whitlock is competing.
PDC representatives
- Luke Humphries (England)
- Luke Littler (England)
- Damon Heta (Australia)
- Stephen Bunting (England)
- Gerwyn Price (Wales)
- Chris Dobey (England)
- Josh Rock (Northern Ireland)
- Mike De Decker (Belgium)
Oceanic qualifiers
- Simon Whitlock (Australia)
- Haupai Puha (New Zealand)
- Jonny Tata (New Zealand)
- Mark Cleaver (New Zealand)
- John Hurring (New Zealand)
- Ben Robb (New Zealand)
- Dean Reyland (New Zealand)
- Gordon Mathers (Australia)
New Zealand Darts Masters: Schedule
All times UK
Friday, August 8
- Mike De Decker 6-1 Gordon Mathers
- Josh Rock 6-2 John Hurring
- Gerwyn Price 6-4 Jonny Tata
- Damon Heta 6-1 Dean Reyland
- Stephen Bunting 6-3 Ben Robb
- Luke Humphries 6-3 Haupai Puha
- Luke Littler 6-4 Mark Cleaver
- Chris Dobey 6-4 Simon Whitlock
Saturday, August 9 (From 10am)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 11 legs)
- Stephen Bunting vs Chris Dobey
- Luke Humphries vs Damon Heta
- Gerwyn Price vs Josh Rock
- Luke Littler vs Mike De Decker
- Semi-Finals (Best of 13 legs)
- Final (Best of 15 legs)