The 2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters gets underway on Friday, as Luke Humphries begins his bid for back-to-back titles against Haupai Puha.
The year’s seventh and final World Series of Darts event will take place at the Spark Arena on August 15-16, as eight PDC superstars go head-to-head with eight Oceanic representatives across two days of action in Auckland.
Reigning champion Humphries claimed his maiden World Series of Darts crown at this event 12 months ago, and he’s eyeing a return to winning ways on his return to New Zealand.
The world number one was struggling with illness in Australia last weekend, although he insists he’s fighting fit ahead of his blockbuster clash with New Zealand’s number one Puha.
Puha forced Luke Littler to a last-leg shoot-out at the Australian Darts Masters, while he was also edged out in a decider by Rob Cross on home soil last year.
“Obviously it didn’t go the way I wanted last weekend, but I feel much better now,” declared Humphries, who lifted the US Darts Masters title in June.
“New Zealand holds great memories for me. To win my first World Series title here was really special, and I want to go and do that again.
“I didn’t play very well in Australia last year and then I managed to win in New Zealand, so hopefully history can repeat itself this weekend!
“I haven’t won a title since New York and I’m used to winning tournaments, so a win this weekend would give me a big confidence boost going into the back end of the year.”
Humphries’ great rival Littler claimed the spoils in Wollongong, producing a string of superb displays on Finals Day to clinch his third World Series of Darts title.
The World Champion will face Puha’s World Cup partner Mark Cleaver on Friday’s opening night, as he sets his sights on back-to-back wins Down Under.
“It felt great to win in Wollongong,” reflected Littler, also the reigning World Series of Darts Finals champion.
“Obviously it hadn’t gone to plan on the World Series circuit this year, but I played really well when it mattered last weekend.
“I cannot wait for Auckland now. We’re all here to win, and hopefully I can go back-to-back.”
Littler’s success in Australia catapulted him above Humphries and into third place on the World Series of Darts rankings, although top spot is still occupied by Stephen Bunting.
Bunting boasts an eight-point lead over his closest rival Gerwyn Price following wins at the Bahrain Darts Masters and the Nordic Darts Masters, while he’s also reached finals in Den Bosch and Poland.
The world number four could join an exclusive club this weekend, as he bids to emulate Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson by winning a hat-trick of World Series titles in the same calendar year.
“To be in the same company as the likes of Phil and Gary would be amazing,” admitted Bunting, who plays five-time World Championship qualifier Ben Robb in his opener.
“I believe I can do it. I’ve got a tough first game, but that will settle me into the tournament and then we’ll see how far I can go.
“I played really well in Australia, so I’m coming here in good form and I’m looking forward to playing Ben.
“I’ve loved every minute of the World Series, and if I can finish top of the rankings it would be a massive achievement.”
However, Bunting can still be overhauled by 2022 NZ Darts Masters champion Price, who will play former quarter-finalist Jonny Tata for a place in the quarter-finals.
Australian number one Damon Heta – runner-up to Humphries last year – will face big stage debutant Dean Reyland, as former Masters champion Chris Dobey takes on Australian icon Simon Whitlock in another eye-catching clash.
Australian Darts Masters runner-up Mike De Decker locks horns with former Tour Card Holder Gordon Mathers in Friday's curtain-raiser, before Northern Ireland’s World Cup winner Josh Rock meets DPNZ Qualifier John Hurring.
Friday's first round gets underway at 1900 local time (0800 BST) at the Spark Arena, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place on a bumper Finals Day on Saturday August 16.
The 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters will be broadcast live on Sky in New Zealand and Fox Sports in Australia, through DAZN in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and on PDCTV in all other global territories.
UK fans can also watch live on PDCTV and ITVX, with delayed coverage on ITV4 beginning from 1900 BST on Friday, and 1700 BST on Saturday.
2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters
August 15-16, Spark Arena, Auckland
Draw Bracket
(1) Stephen Bunting v Ben Robb
Chris Dobey v Simon Whitlock
(4) Luke Humphries v Haupai Puha
Damon Heta v Dean Reyland
(2) Gerwyn Price v Jonny Tata
Josh Rock v John Hurring
(3) Luke Littler v Mark Cleaver
Mike De Decker v Gordon Mathers
Schedule of Play
Friday August 15 (1900 NZST)
First Round
Mike De Decker v Gordon Mathers
Josh Rock v John Hurring
Gerwyn Price v Jonny Tata
Damon Heta v Dean Reyland
Stephen Bunting v Ben Robb
Luke Humphries v Haupai Puha
Luke Littler v Mark Cleaver
Chris Dobey v Simon Whitlock
Best of 11 legs
Saturday August 16 (1900 NZST)
Quarter-Finals
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.