The 2026 Bahrain Darts Masters gets underway on Thursday, as newly-crowned two-time World Champion Luke Littler makes his first appearance since retaining the Sid Waddell Trophy earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Littler will take centre stage in the opening World Series of Darts event of 2026, as a star-studded 16-player field go head-to-head at the Exhibition World Bahrain on January 15-16.<\/p>\n
The teenage sensation memorably marked his arrival on the global stage with a nine-darter on his way to victory at the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters, overcoming Michael van Gerwen to lift the unique date palm trophy.<\/p>\n
His bid for back-to-back titles was curtailed by an inspired Gerwyn Price 12 months ago, with the Welshman averaging a staggering 115.31 to triumph in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
However, the world number one is determined to reclaim the crown on his return to the Middle East, ahead of his opening round tie against darting icon Paul Lim.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been chilling out, throwing a few darts and I\u2019ll be ready for tomorrow,\u201d insisted Littler, who is relishing the showdown against a player 53 years his senior.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I came here two years ago I was coming here after the defeat to Luke [Humphries], and people were wondering if that run was a fluke, so that was a big moment for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t defend my title last year, but hopefully I can start the new 2026 season with a win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s opening round will see the eight PDC superstars pitted against eight Asian representatives for a place at Finals Day, with reigning champion Stephen Bunting also set to star.<\/p>\n
Bunting overcame Price in last year\u2019s showpiece, and after claiming Nordic Darts Masters glory before reaching a further two finals in Den Bosch and Gliwice, the Liverpudlian claimed top spot on the 2025 World Series of Darts rankings.<\/p>\n
The world number seven will open his title defence against Japan\u2019s Ryusei Azemoto, with three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen or PDC Asian Tour winner Alexis Toylo awaiting the winner.<\/p>\n
New Dutch number one Gian van Veen will also headline the action, as he makes his first World Series of Darts appearance outside of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
The European Champion enjoyed a sensational 2025 campaign, culminating in a run to January\u2019s World Championship final which catapulted him into the world\u2019s top three.<\/p>\n
Van Veen will kick off his campaign against Hong Kong\u2019s World Cup quarter-finalist Man Lok Leung – in a repeat of their clash at the 2023\/24 World Championship – and the Dutchman has revenge in his sights.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to play Man Lok Leung because of course everyone remembers that game at the World Championship two years ago,\u201d admitted Van Veen, who succumbed on debut having led 2-0 at one stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was my first game at Alexandra Palace, so I wanted revenge, and hopefully I\u2019ll be able to get it tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201c2025 was an amazing year for me. Of course it\u2019s going to be difficult to get to the same level in 2026, but hopefully it\u2019s going to be another great one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic to be here in Bahrain for the first time. It\u2019s an honour.”<\/p>\n
World number two Luke Humphries will lock horns with Bahrain\u2019s Abdulla Saeed for a third consecutive year, having won both of their previous encounters without conceding a leg.<\/p>\n
The winner will advance to a showdown against former World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall or PDC Asian Champion Lourence Ilagan, who also renew their rivalry in a rematch of their clash at the World Championship last month.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, two-time Bahrain Darts Masters runner-up Price makes his return to the Middle East against Japan\u2019s Motomu Sakai, who became a cult hero on debut at the recent World Darts Championship.<\/p>\n
Price or Sakai will play Littler or Lim in the quarter-finals, while the remaining round one tussle pits Dutch number three Danny Noppert against Bahrain\u2019s premier player Basem Mahmood.<\/p>\n
Following Thursday’s opening round, the Bahrain Darts Masters concludes on Friday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, as the sport’s biggest names battle it out for the unique date palm trophy and the first World Series title of 2026.<\/p>\n