Luke Littler will make his first appearance since winning his second Premier League title at the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen. The world No 1, who also won the inaugural Riyadh Season Saudi Arabia Darts Masters in January, is hunting his second World Series of Darts title of 2026. Littler produced a scintillating display to pip Luke Humphries in a last-leg decider, averaging 111.67 in the highest-quality final the competition has ever witnessed.
The 19-year-old returns to action in Copenhagen against Norway's No 1 Cor Dekker. "I can't wait to have some down time and then return to the oche next week," affirmed Littler after claiming the Premier League title at The O2 last Thursday. "The Premier League was my first ever major title, so to pick it up again means the world. I hope the Premier League win is a turning point. It was one of those wins that I just had to get done."
The tournament kicks off on Friday, as Stephen Bunting aims to become the first player to secure back-to-back titles in the Danish capital. Bunting headlines the return of the World Series of Darts to the Forum Copenhagen, with a star-studded cast of 16 players battling for the title. The former Masters winner produced a string of dominant displays to scoop his second World Series title last year, defeating Oskar Lukasiak, Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross. Bunting has been pitted against Viktor Tingstrom in his opening match. "I have really great memories from last year," reminisced Bunting. "Being in the wonderful city of Copenhagen is always a pleasure. It's such a beautiful place and to win the title there was a great honour. It would be fantastic if I can become the first player to retain this title."
Premier League finalist Humphries will take on Jeffrey de Graaf in a mouth-watering tie. World No 2 Humphries averaged 105.60 despite falling short to Littler in a last-leg decider — the second-highest losing average ever recorded in a Premier League final. "I'm proud of myself that I managed to have the chance to retain my Premier League title and give it a shot, and boy did I give it a shot," affirmed Humphries. De Graaf enters the tournament after claiming his second PDC ranking title at Players Championship 19 on Tuesday in Milton Keynes.
Elsewhere, No 1 seed Michael van Gerwen will take on De Graaf's World Cup of Darts partner Lukasiak. Clayton will renew his rivalry with Andreas Harrysson in the opening match. Gerwyn Price — the 2024 Nordic Darts Masters champion — will lock horns with Lithuania's Darius Labanauskas. James Wade returns to the World Series fold against Latvian No 1 Madars Razma. European Champion Gian van Veen will take on Daniel Larsson. Following Friday's opening round, the event will conclude on Saturday evening with quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
