The 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters begins in New York on Friday, as the sport’s biggest names go head-to-head on American soil.
The seventh staging of the US Darts Masters will take place in The Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 27-28, with 16 players competing for World Series glory at the iconic venue.
Reigning champion Rob Cross will be amongst the stars in action, with world number one Luke Humphries and World Champion Luke Littler also set to headline in the Big Apple.
Cross added to his World Series haul with victory in January’s Dutch Darts Masters, and he opens his bid for further silverware against American number one Danny Lauby.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be here,” claimed Cross, the number two seed in this year’s showpiece.
“Danny is a great dart player. He’s a dangerous player, but I’m going to have to be myself and perform.
“I’m looking forward to the game, I’m looking forward to coming back and trying to defend the crown, and I think I’ve got a great chance this week.
“I’ve had a lot of family time recently and I think that’s been important. I feel fresh and I’m ready to go!”
Friday’s first round will pit the eight PDC superstars against their North American counterparts for a place in the quarter-finals, with Humphries set to face former Grand Slam quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz.
Humphries broke his duck on the World Series circuit with victory in last year’s NZ Darts Masters, and he’s determined to add to his title tally in New York this weekend.
“You want to win every event, but this one is really special,” insisted the newly crowned Premier League champion.
“This is the one that every player wants to win. It’s such an iconic venue, so for me to put my name on that trophy would mean a lot to me.
“I’ve got plenty of goals I want to achieve this year, but I’m fully focused on this weekend and getting back in the winner’s circle again.”
Littler, meanwhile, opens his title challenge against Tour Card Holder Jules van Dongen, and the teenage sensation is setting his sights on a first World Series triumph of the campaign.
“I’m feeling very confident,” declared the reigning World Series of Darts Finals champion.
“It’s great to be back. Darts is getting bigger in the States so I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere.
“I’ve had a holiday with the family in Spain, but now I’m here I will get some practice in before tomorrow, and hopefully I can kickstart the second half of the season with a win.”
Michael van Gerwen will also headline a star-studded opening night at MSG, as the Dutch superstar makes his return to competitive action following a five-week hiatus.
Van Gerwen lifted the US Darts Masters title back in 2017 and 2023, and his bid to complete the hat-trick will begin with a tough test against CDC Cross-Border Challenge winner Leonard Gates.
“I love coming here. I’ve got a great record in the US as well, so being back on American soil feels like home,” admitted Van Gerwen.
“I’m really excited to be back. Everybody knows I’ve been going through really tough times, but I’m dealing with it and I’m living by the moment.
“I’m here to win, but I also need to be realistic. I’ve never been in this situation where I’ve had so many weeks of not playing competitive darts, but my head still says I need to smash them!
“I’m probably going to have a new shirt, new darts, everything. It’s going to be a new Michael. Michael 2.0!”
Nathan Aspinall – also a US Darts Masters champion in 2019 – will meet Canadian number one Matt Campbell for a place in the last eight, with a potential showdown against Littler awaiting the winner.
2024 runner-up Gerwyn Price faces CDC Order of Merit leader Adam Sevada in his opener, while top seed Stephen Bunting also takes centre stage on his US Darts Masters debut.
The former Masters champion has already celebrated World Series success in Bahrain and Copenhagen in 2025, and he kicks off his latest title tilt against CDC Qualifier Jason Brandon.
Damon Heta is another PDC superstar making their Madison Square Garden bow this week, and the Australian number one will play Canadian veteran Jim Long in the opening match of the tournament.
Following Friday's first round, the US Darts Masters will conclude on Saturday evening, as the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are held during a bumper session of action in The Theater at MSG.
Earlier in the day, the bet365 North American Championship will take place, as the eight North American challengers compete for the prestigious title and qualification for this year’s World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts.
Reigning champion Campbell plays Brandon for a place in the last four, while Lauby and Gates also do battle in an all-American affair.
Van Dongen and Buntz renew their rivalry for the second consecutive year, with Long and Sevada locking horns in Saturday afternoon’s other quarter-final clash.
The 2025 bet365 US Darts Masters will be broadcast live through Peacock and FanDuel in the US, with coverage on DAZN also available exclusively in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Other live global coverage will be broadcast through Viaplay in various territories including the Netherlands, as well as via PDCTV in all countries outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with live coverage also available on ITVX in the UK.
Delayed ITV coverage in the UK will be as follows:
1700-2100 BST Saturday June 28 on ITV4 - showing First Round
1700-2100 BST Sunday June 29 on ITV4 - showing Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final
2025 bet365 US Darts Masters Draw Bracket
(1) Stephen Bunting v Jason Brandon
Damon Heta v Jim Long
(4) Luke Littler v Jules van Dongen
Nathan Aspinall v Matt Campbell
(2) Rob Cross v Danny Lauby
Luke Humphries v Stowe Buntz
(3) Gerwyn Price v Adam Sevada
Michael van Gerwen v Leonard Gates
2025 bet365 North American Darts Championship
Draw Bracket
(1) Matt Campbell v Jason Brandon
(4) Jules van Dongen v Stowe Buntz
(2) Danny Lauby v Leonard Gates
(3) Jim Long v Adam Sevada
2025 bet365 US Darts Masters
Friday June 27 (1900 EST)
First Round
Damon Heta v Jim Long
Rob Cross v Danny Lauby
Stephen Bunting v Jason Brandon
Gerwyn Price v Adam Sevada
Luke Littler v Jules van Dongen
Nathan Aspinall v Matt Campbell
Luke Humphries v Stowe Buntz
Michael van Gerwen v Leonard Gates
Saturday June 28 (1300 EST)
2025 bet365 North American Darts Championship
Schedule of Play
Quarter-Finals
Matt Campbell v Jason Brandon
Jules van Dongen v Stowe Buntz
Danny Lauby v Leonard Gates
Jim Long v Adam Sevada
Semi-Finals
Campbell/Brandon v Van Dongen/Buntz
Lauby/Gates v Long/Sevada
Final
v
All games - best of 11 legs
2025 bet365 US Darts Masters
Evening Session (1900 EST)
Quarter-Finals - best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals - best of 13 legs
Final - best of 15 legs