Luke Littler: World No 1 bids for maiden US Darts Masters crown with Luke Humphries set to defend his title at Madison Square Garden in New York

25.06.2026, 08:43 skysports.com

Luke Humphries will open the defence of his bet365 US Darts Masters title against former North American champion Leonard Gates, while Luke Littler faces David Cameron in his opener.

Thursday's opening round will see eight PDC superstars take on eight North American representatives for a place at Finals Day on Friday.

World No 2 Humphries will take centre stage on American soil, as he plays the enigmatic Gates in a blockbuster tussle.

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Littler will also be among the star attractions on the opening day, as the reigning two-time world champion begins his bid for a maiden US Darts Masters crown against Canadian veteran Cameron.

Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen marks his US Darts Masters debut with a tie against newcomer Fred Krueger, while 2024 runner-up Gerwyn Price also takes on a big-stage debutant in Canada's Brayden Hall.

Price's fellow countryman Jonny Clayton has been pitted against 2008 UK Open runner-up Gary Mawson, with the returning James Wade up against Adam Sevada - the current leader on the CDC rankings.

Stephen Bunting will play two-time CDC Continental Cup champion Alex Spellman, while debutant Josh Rock gets his campaign under way against Canada's No 1 Jim Long.

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Following Thursday's opening night, the 2026 US Darts Masters will conclude on Friday evening with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final during a bumper session at MSG.

Friday's action will also feature the bet365 North American Championship, as the eight US and Canadian stars battle for silverware and qualification for the World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts.

Top-seed Long plays Hall in an all-Canadian affair, before America's premier player Sevada faces a tough opening assignment against Spellman - a two-time World Championship qualifier.

Gates, the 2022 North American champion, kicks off his title challenge against debutant Krueger, while Cameron and Mawson collide in a battle of the darting stalwarts.

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2026 bet365 US Darts MastersThursday June 25 (1900 EST)Round OneGian van Veen vs Fred KruegerGerwyn Price vs Brayden HallJames Wade vs Adam SevadaJosh Rock vs Jim LongLuke Littler vs David CameronLuke Humphries vs Leonard GatesJonny Clayton vs Gary MawsonStephen Bunting vs Alex Spellman

Friday June 26 (1930 EST)Quarter-Finals - Best of 11 legsSemi-Finals - Best of 13 legsFinal - Best of 15 legs

2026 bet365 North American ChampionshipSchedule of PlayFriday June 26 (1300 EST)Quarter-FinalsJim Long vs Brayden HallLeonard Gates vs Fred KruegerAdam Sevada vs Alex SpellmanDavid Cameron vs Gary Mawson

Semi-FinalsLong/Hall vs Gates/KruegerSevada/Spellman vs Cameron/Mawson

All matches best of 11 legs

The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will take place at the iconic Winter Gardens from July 18-26, as a 32-player field competes for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.

Littler will be eyeing back-to-back titles in Blackpool, with 2024 champion Humphries and three-time World Matchplay winner Michael van Gerwen also set to star in the £1m event.

This summer's action will also feature the fifth staging of the Betfred Women's World Matchplay, as eight of the biggest names in the women's game battle it out for the title currently held by Lisa Ashton.

Who will win this year's World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.