The 2026 Winmau World Masters delivered four days of uncompromising darts at Arena MK, reaffirming its place as one of the sport’s purest examinations. With a £500,000 prize fund, set-play tension and a field rich in pedigree, the Masters once again rewarded composure, precision and nerve when it mattered most.
From major upsets on opening night to a final worthy of the tournament’s history, Milton Keynes witnessed a championship defined by fine margins and elite performance.
From major upsets on opening night to a final worthy of the tournament’s history, Milton Keynes witnessed a championship defined by fine margins and elite performance.
Night One: Statements Made, Standards Set
The tournament ignited with immediate drama as Damon Heta dismantled five-time Masters champion Michael van Gerwen, producing a clinical display on the doubles to claim a landmark victory. Heta converted 63% of his attempts on the outer ring, landing three ton-plus checkouts to punish missed opportunities and remove the world number four at the first hurdle.
Elsewhere, Gerwyn Price produced the performance of the opening night, averaging 108.51 in a ruthless 3–0 victory over James Hurrell. Four maximums, a 13-dart opening set and relentless pressure underlined a reminder of Price’s ceiling in set-play conditions.
Strong wins also followed for Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall, Gian van Veen, James Wade, Chris Dobey and Gary Anderson, as the draw immediately showed its depth - no easy passage, no margin for error.
2026 Winmau World Masters
Thursday January 29
Round One
Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena (2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld (0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-0)
James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0)
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell (2-1, 2-1, 2-0)
Damon Heta 3-1 Michael van Gerwen (2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-1)
Key Session Insights
180’s – 44
Highest Checkout – 161 (Jonny Clayton)
Highest Average – 108.51 (Gerwyn Price)
180’s – 44
Highest Checkout – 161 (Jonny Clayton)
Highest Average – 108.51 (Gerwyn Price)
Night Two: Champions Enter, Pressure Responds
Friday saw the arrival of the sport’s two dominant forces.
Luke Littler survived a major test against Mike De Decker, recovering from a 2–1 deficit after a missed match opportunity from the Belgian. Littler responded with maturity beyond his years, levelling with a 13-darter before sweeping the deciding set to progress.
Defending champion Luke Humphries opened his title defence in emphatic fashion, averaging over 104 to defeat Dave Chisnall. A blistering mid-match surge, featuring 11- and 12-dart legs, set the tone for another deep run.
The night also belonged to Luke Woodhouse, whose scintillating 108.64 average dismantled Martin Schindler and signalled a player operating at a new level, while wins for Danny Noppert, Rob Cross, Josh Rock and Ross Smith completed a compelling second round picture.
2026 Winmau World Masters
Friday January 30
Round One
Luke Woodhouse 3-0 Martin Schindler (2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Ross Smith 3-1 Jimmy van Schie (2-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Danny Noppert 3-1 Daryl Gurney (2-0, 1-2, 2-1, 2-1)
Rob Cross 3-1 Ryan Searle (2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-1)
Josh Rock 3-1 Connor Scutt (1-2, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Luke Littler 3-2 Mike De Decker (2-1, 0-2, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Humphries 3-1 Dave Chisnall (1-2, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Stephen Bunting 3-1 Jeffrey de Graaf (2-0, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Key Session Insights
180’s – 56
Highest Checkout – 150 (Ross Smith)
Highest Average – 108.64 (Luke Woodhouse)
Night Three: Perfection, Pressure and Progression
Saturday delivered one of the defining moments in modern Masters history.
Luke Humphries struck a perfect nine-dart leg against Luke Woodhouse, following the classic 180-180-141 route, yet still required a deciding-leg finish to survive an extraordinary contest. Both players averaged over 100, with Humphries eventually pinning double 18 with his final dart to continue his defence.
Luke Littler advanced with authority, averaging 107.88 in a 4–1 victory over Ross Smith, while Josh Rock dismissed Rob Cross with sustained pressure and scoring consistency to book a quarter-final showdown.
Luke Humphries struck a perfect nine-dart leg against Luke Woodhouse, following the classic 180-180-141 route, yet still required a deciding-leg finish to survive an extraordinary contest. Both players averaged over 100, with Humphries eventually pinning double 18 with his final dart to continue his defence.
Luke Littler advanced with authority, averaging 107.88 in a 4–1 victory over Ross Smith, while Josh Rock dismissed Rob Cross with sustained pressure and scoring consistency to book a quarter-final showdown.
Elsewhere, Gerwyn Price edged Jonny Clayton in a dramatic all-Welsh decider, Danny Noppert whitewashed Stephen Bunting, Gian van Veen impressed again on debut, James Wade showed trademark resilience against Gary Anderson, and Chris Dobey held firm to overcome a late Heta surge.
The quarter-final lineup reflected the Masters at its sharpest - experience, form and fearlessness colliding.
The quarter-final lineup reflected the Masters at its sharpest - experience, form and fearlessness colliding.
2026 Winmau World Masters
Saturday January 31
Afternoon Session
Round Two x4
Chris Dobey 4-3 Damon Heta (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0, 0-2, 0-2, 2-0)
James Wade 4-3 Gary Anderson (0-2,1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-1)
Gian van Veen 4-2 Nathan Aspinall (1-2, 2-1, 2-1, 2-0, 0-2, 2-0)
Gerwyn Price 4-3 Jonny Clayton (1-2, 0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 1-2, 2-1)
Saturday January 31
Afternoon Session
Round Two x4
Chris Dobey 4-3 Damon Heta (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0, 0-2, 0-2, 2-0)
James Wade 4-3 Gary Anderson (0-2,1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 2-1)
Gian van Veen 4-2 Nathan Aspinall (1-2, 2-1, 2-1, 2-0, 0-2, 2-0)
Gerwyn Price 4-3 Jonny Clayton (1-2, 0-2, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 1-2, 2-1)
Evening Session
Round Two x4
Josh Rock 4-1 Rob Cross (2-1, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0)
Danny Noppert 4-0 Stephen Bunting (2-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Littler 4-1 Ross Smith (2-1, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-1)
Luke Humphries 4-3 Luke Woodhouse (2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0, 1-2, 1-2, 2-1)
Round Two x4
Josh Rock 4-1 Rob Cross (2-1, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0)
Danny Noppert 4-0 Stephen Bunting (2-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Littler 4-1 Ross Smith (2-1, 2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-1)
Luke Humphries 4-3 Luke Woodhouse (2-0, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0, 1-2, 1-2, 2-1)
Key Session Insights
180’s – 99
Highest Checkout – 161 (Gerwyn Price)
Highest Average – 107.88 (Luke Littler)
180’s – 99
Highest Checkout – 161 (Gerwyn Price)
Highest Average – 107.88 (Luke Littler)
Finals Day: Littler Ascends, Humphries Pushes History
Sunday delivered a final that will stand among the tournament’s finest.
Luke Littler denied Luke Humphries in a gripping deciding-set epic, fighting back from 5–4 down to claim his maiden Winmau World Masters title. Both players produced sustained excellence, Humphries averaging 105.51 in defeat, Littler responding with decisive 13- and 12-dart legs when the championship hung in the balance.
It was a victory earned the hard way. Littler survived a match dart in round one, elevated his level through the rounds, dismissed Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price on Finals Day, and delivered under maximum pressure in the final set.
Humphries’ defence was equally compelling. The reigning champion averaged over 101 across the tournament, produced a nine-dart leg, and stormed to the final with whitewash victories over Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen, before pushing the new champion to the limit.
In the end, Littler’s composure in the decisive moments defined the outcome, a Masters champion forged through resilience, control and belief.
Luke Littler denied Luke Humphries in a gripping deciding-set epic, fighting back from 5–4 down to claim his maiden Winmau World Masters title. Both players produced sustained excellence, Humphries averaging 105.51 in defeat, Littler responding with decisive 13- and 12-dart legs when the championship hung in the balance.
It was a victory earned the hard way. Littler survived a match dart in round one, elevated his level through the rounds, dismissed Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price on Finals Day, and delivered under maximum pressure in the final set.
Humphries’ defence was equally compelling. The reigning champion averaged over 101 across the tournament, produced a nine-dart leg, and stormed to the final with whitewash victories over Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen, before pushing the new champion to the limit.
In the end, Littler’s composure in the decisive moments defined the outcome, a Masters champion forged through resilience, control and belief.
2026 Winmau World Masters
Sunday February 1
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 4-2 Chris Dobey (1-2, 2-1, 2-1, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0)
Luke Littler 4-0 Josh Rock (2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0)
Gian van Veen 4-2 James Wade (2-0, 0-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Humphries 4-0 Danny Noppert (2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Sunday February 1
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 4-2 Chris Dobey (1-2, 2-1, 2-1, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0)
Luke Littler 4-0 Josh Rock (2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0)
Gian van Veen 4-2 James Wade (2-0, 0-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Humphries 4-0 Danny Noppert (2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 5-4 Gerwyn Price (2-1, 1-2, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-1)
Luke Humphries 5-0 Gian van Veen (2-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 5-4 Gerwyn Price (2-1, 1-2, 2-0, 1-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-1)
Luke Humphries 5-0 Gian van Veen (2-0, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Final
Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphries (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 0-2, 2-1, 1-2, 1-2, 2-0, 2-0)
Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphries (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 0-2, 2-1, 1-2, 1-2, 2-0, 2-0)
Key Session Insights
180’s – 95
Highest Checkout – 153 (Luke Littler)
Highest Average – 107.80 (Luke Humphries)
180’s – 95
Highest Checkout – 153 (Luke Littler)
Highest Average – 107.80 (Luke Humphries)
Winmau Junior World Masters: The Future Takes the Stage
The championship weekend also celebrated the next generation, as Kaya Baysal claimed the Winmau Junior World Masters title with a composed 2–0 victory over Mitchell Lawrie.
In a repeat of the recent Junior World Championship final, Baysal reversed the outcome with a clinical display, averaging 89.37 and producing key combination finishes at decisive moments. His path to the final was equally impressive, not dropping a set on Saturday and averaging over 100 in the semi-finals.
At just 15, Baysal’s performance reflected the values the Masters represent: preparation, precision and the ability to deliver under lights.
In a repeat of the recent Junior World Championship final, Baysal reversed the outcome with a clinical display, averaging 89.37 and producing key combination finishes at decisive moments. His path to the final was equally impressive, not dropping a set on Saturday and averaging over 100 in the semi-finals.
At just 15, Baysal’s performance reflected the values the Masters represent: preparation, precision and the ability to deliver under lights.
A Tournament True to Its Identity
The 2026 Winmau World Masters was a tournament shaped by execution rather than reputation. The set format exposed every weakness, rewarded precision, and left no room to coast. Across four days in Milton Keynes, standards rose session by session, pressure moments were met head-on, and only players capable of sustaining control across sets survived.
The standard of play this year was reflected in the numbers. A total of 294 maximums were recorded across the tournament, a sharp increase on 214 in 2025, underlining a further chapter in the long evolution of excellence, pushing standards ever higher on the sport’s highest level.
The Blade X made its first appearance on the world stage at the Winmau World Masters, providing a playing surface that matched the demands of the occasion. Across the week, it delivered consistent response, true segmentation and a level of reliability that allowed the game’s elite to play with complete confidence. Under sustained pressure and extended set play, the board performed without compromise, a platform worthy of a tournament built on precision, tradition and trust.
The standard of play this year was reflected in the numbers. A total of 294 maximums were recorded across the tournament, a sharp increase on 214 in 2025, underlining a further chapter in the long evolution of excellence, pushing standards ever higher on the sport’s highest level.
The Blade X made its first appearance on the world stage at the Winmau World Masters, providing a playing surface that matched the demands of the occasion. Across the week, it delivered consistent response, true segmentation and a level of reliability that allowed the game’s elite to play with complete confidence. Under sustained pressure and extended set play, the board performed without compromise, a platform worthy of a tournament built on precision, tradition and trust.
Rooted in Winmau heritage. Defined by Performance.
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