The 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters begins on Thursday, with newly crowned world champion Luke Humphrys competing in the competition for the first time since lifting the iconic Sid Waddell Trophy earlier this month.
The sport’s biggest names will return to The Dome at the Bahrain International Circuit for the second stage of the World Series of Darts event on January 18th and 19th.
Thursday’s first round will pit eight PDC stars against eight Asian representatives, including two regional qualifiers from Bahrain who will be making their TV debut.
Humphries, ranked number one in the world, will begin his title challenge with a match against Abdullah Saeed, and will play in one of the host country qualifiers to try to advance to the quarter-finals.
Humphries has magically improved in form in recent months following success at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Final with victory at Alexandra Palace on January 3. Ta.
The 28-year-old is looking to extend his incredible 19-match winning streak on Bahrain’s big stage and claim his fifth TV title in six tournaments.
“I haven’t seen Abdullah play so I don’t know what will happen, but I’m not going to discount him because he has a lot of hidden talent.” claimed the world champion.
“He’s going to enjoy the moment and I’m going to enjoy the moment because it’s a real honor to be in a place like this and I’m sure it’s going to be a great spectacle.
“I’m so excited to hear John McDonald announce me as the new world champion. I think that’s the moment that every world champion looks forward to.”
“I’m more motivated now. I want to be more dedicated than ever and build on what I achieved last year to continue my success and win more major titles.”
Reigning champion Michael Smith is also set to headline the star-studded opening day, as the 2023 world champion begins his title defense against former PDC Asian Championship runner-up Paolo Nebrida.
“I’m really happy to be back and looking forward to getting back on that stage again.” Smith said he currently ranks third on the PDC Order of Merit after losing in the fourth round at the world championships.
“When I lost to Chris [Dobey at the World Championship]I literally couldn’t pick up a dart until the day after the final, but I’m practicing again.
“I spent a week recharging in Dubai with my family and then went on the PDC Asia Tour last weekend, which gave me the desire to get back on the dartboard and prepare.
“Bahrain is a beautiful country and I’m really happy to be here, but the most important thing is to put on a great show in front of the audience over the next few days.”
World Championship runner-up Luke Littler will make his long-awaited World Series of Darts debut on Thursday, taking on Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung in a closely contested first round match.
Littler made global headlines for his record-breaking feat at Alexandra Palace and enjoyed a fairytale run to the final on his debut, before being replaced in a match watched by 4.8 million viewers on Sky Sports. They lost to Freeze 7-4.
“I’m back to work.” So insisted the World Youth Champion, who will also be competing in the 2024 BetMGM Premier League Darts, which kicks off in Cardiff next month.
“My life and my family’s lives have changed and I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given.
“It was crazy. I got invited by Warrington Wolves to go to a Manchester United game.” [last weekend] And then I met Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It was really great to meet him and he said some nice things to me about staying committed and continuing to believe in yourself.
“Since the World Championship final, I have calmed down and haven’t thrown many darts, but I’m sure I’ll be fine once I get back to the practice room. Hopefully I can have a good event here.”
Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall will also make their debuts in Bahrain this week, with van Gerwen facing local qualifier Hassan Hadji in the opening round.
The Dutch superstar is the most successful player in the history of the World Series of Darts, winning titles in New York and Warsaw in 2023, before clinching his fifth World Series Finals crown in Amsterdam.
Van Gerwen secured victory on home soil in September when he defeated Aspinall, and the match play world champion begins his campaign against the enigmatic Lawrence Ilagan, the top of the 2023 Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Elsewhere, 2023 Bahrain Darts Masters runner-up Gerwyn Price will take on Philippine qualifier Reynaldo Rivera, while two-time world champion Peter Wright will take on PDC Asia champion Haruki Muramatsu.
The remaining first-round tie will see 2018 world champion Rob Cross take on rising Japanese star Tomoya Goto, who proved himself at last month’s world championships.
Following the first round on Thursday, the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters will conclude on Friday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in one bumper session.
Bahrain Darts Masters will be broadcast live. PDCTV Available in all territories except Germany, Austria and Switzerland (broadcast via DAZN).
UK viewers can watch Thursday on ITVX and Friday’s final stage on ITV4.
2024 Bahrain Darts Masters
draw bracket
(1) Luke Humphries v Abdullah Said
Gerwyn Price v Reynaldo Rivera
(4) Nathan Aspinall v Lawrence Ilagan
Luke Littler v Man Rok Leung
(2) Michael van Gerwen vs Hasan Hadji
Rob Cross vs Tomoya Goto
(3) Michael Smith v Paolo Nebrida
Peter Wright vs Haruki Muramatsu
play schedule
Thursday, January 18th (19:00 local time, 16:00 GMT)
1st round
Peter Wright vs Haruki Muramatsu
Gerwyn Price v Reynaldo Rivera
Nathan Aspinall v Lawrence Ilagan
Rob Cross vs Tomoya Goto
Luke Littler v Man Rok Leung
Luke Humphries v Abdullah Said
Michael van Gerwen vs Hasan Hadji
Michael Smith v Paolo Nebrida
Friday, January 19th (19:00 local time, 16:00 GMT)
Quarter finals
Semi-final
Last
format
Round 1 – Best of 11 Legs
Quarterfinals – Best of 11 Legs
Semi-finals – best of 13 legs
Final – Best of 15 Legs