2026 New Zealand Darts Masters: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The World Series of Darts circuit resumes this week, as we head to Auckland for the 2026 New Zealand Darts Masters.
The tournament will feature eight PDC representatives and eight regional qualifiers.
What to know about the New Zealand Darts Masters
Let's take a look at some of the specifics of the tournament.
MORE: 2026 New Zealand Darts Masters qualifiers: Three former world champions sitting event out
2026 New Zealand Darts Masters draw/bracket
*This section will be updated once the info is released
First round
| (1) Gian van Veen vs. Jonny Tata |
| Jonny Clayton vs. Haupai Puha |
| (4) James Wade vs. Kayden Milne |
| Josh Rock vs. Simon Whitlock |
| (2) Gerwyn Price vs. Mark Cleaver |
| Damon Heta vs. Ben Robb |
| (3) Stephen Bunting vs. Raymond Smith |
| Ross Smith vs. Adam Leek |
Quarterfinals
| van Veen/Tata vs. Clayton/Puha |
| Wade/Meikle vs. Rock/Whitlock |
| Price/Cleaver vs. Heta/Robb |
| Bunting/ Ray. Smith vs. Ross Smith/Leek |
Semifinals
| TBD |
| TBD |
Final
| TBD |
2026 New Zealand Darts Masters schedule
Here is the schedule for the tournament.
Day 1 - round of 16 (evening session)
| Match | Date | Time (local) |
| (2) Gerwyn Price vs. Mark Cleaver | Fri., Aug. 14 | 7:15 p.m. |
| Ross Smith vs. Adam Leek | Fri., Aug. 14 | 7:45 p.m. |
| (4) James Wade vs. Kayden Milne | Fri., Aug. 14 | 8:15 p.m. |
| Josh Rock vs. Simon Whitlock | Fri., Aug. 14 | 8:45 p.m. |
| (1) Gian van Veen vs. Jonny Tata | Fri., Aug. 14 | 9:15 p.m. |
| Jonny Clayton vs. Haupai Puha | Fri., Aug. 14 | 9:45 p.m. |
| Damon Heta vs. Ben Robb | Fri., Aug. 14 | 10:15 p.m. |
| (3) Stephen Bunting vs. Raymond Smith | Fri., Aug. 14 | 10:45 p.m. |
MORE: Explaining the significance of the World Series of Darts
Day 2 - quarterfinals (evening session)
| Match | Date | Time (local) |
| TBD | Sat., Aug. 15 | 7:15 p.m. |
| TBD | Sat., Aug. 15 | 7:45 p.m. |
| TBD | Sat., Aug. 15 | 8:15 p.m. |
| TBD | Sat., Aug. 15 | 8:45 p.m. |
Day 2 - semifinals (evening session)
| Match | Date | Time (local) |
| TBD | Sat., Aug. 15 | 9:15 p.m. |
| TBD | Sat., Aug. 15 | 9:45 p.m. |
Day 2 - final (evening session)
| Match | Date | Time (local) |
| TBD | Sat., Aug. 15 | 10:20 p.m. |
Prize money
*Via Wikipedia
| Position (no. of players) | Prize money (Total: £100,000) | |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | (1) | £30,000 |
| Runner-up | (1) | £16,000 |
| Semi-finalists | (2) | £10,000 |
| Quarter-finalists | (4) | £5,000 |
| First round | (8) | £1,750 |
Format
Each PDC representative was matched up with a regional qualifier for the round of 16 on Friday.
The eight winners will advance and play in the quarterfinals on Saturday night.
The semifinals and final follow the quarterfinal round on Saturday night.
The round of 16 and quarterfinal round matches will be best of 11 legs.
The semifinal round games are best of 13 legs, and the final to crown the winner will be a best of 15 game.
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