Luke Littler will open his defence of the World Series of Darts Finals title against Simon Whitlock, following confirmation of the draw and schedule for September’s showpiece in Amsterdam. The PDC Premier event runs from September 12-14 at AFAS Live, with 32 players competing for the prestigious crown.

Littler returns to the venue where he lifted the title last year, having also enjoyed back-to-back World Series victories in Australia and New Zealand during August. He will face Australian veteran Whitlock in a headline round one tie. Five-time champion Michael van Gerwen begins his campaign against Wessel Nijman, while Raymond van Barneveld meets Cor Dekker in another all-Netherlands affair.

Top seed Stephen Bunting, who leads the 2025 World Series Rankings after wins in Bahrain and Copenhagen, faces Dutch number two Danny Noppert. World number one Luke Humphries takes on former champion James Wade, while Gerwyn Price meets Danny Lauby and Rob Cross faces Haupai Puha.

World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker will play Gabriel Clemens, with Nathan Aspinall drawn against Dave Chisnall and Chris Dobey facing Luke Woodhouse.

A star-studded opening night on Friday September 12 will see Humphries against Wade, Van Gerwen versus Nijman, and Bunting battling Noppert after Kevin Doets meets Jermaine Wattimena. Saturday afternoon features Littler against Whitlock and Van Barneveld versus Dekker, before round two concludes that evening.

The tournament culminates on Sunday September 14 with quarter-finals in the afternoon and the semi-finals and final in the evening. An £80,000 top prize is at stake from a £400,000 prize fund, featuring 22 World Series players, four from the Werner Rankings Ladder and six Tour Card Holder Qualifiers.

Source: PDC.TV