Australian Darts Masters 2026 | Day One Preview and Order of Play
The 2026 Australian Darts Masters commences on Friday as the PDC stars and Oceanic representatives collide in Wollongong.
The sixth event in this year’s World Series of Darts calendar features 16 players competing for £100,000 in prize money at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
The opening day sees the eight seeded stars each come up against an Oceanic qualifier as they aim to avoid a shock early exit.
Ross Smith looks to atone for last week’s disappointing World Series debut defeat at the hands of Adam Leek when he takes on emerging star Brody Klinge in the opening tie of the session.
Smith remarkably squandered a 4-1 lead and six match darts in a deciding-leg defeat to Leek in Auckland last week and will be wary of the threat of another scalp against one of the stand-out performers on the ADA circuit this year.
Meanwhile, Jonny Clayton launches his quest for back-to-back World Series titles with a clash against New Zealand’s Ben Robb.
Clayton claimed the New Zealand Darts Masters title for the first time and is the number three seed in the draw as he aims to continue his winning run Down Under.
Robb, a five-time PDC World Championship qualifier, is the sole DNPZ representative in the competition and was denied 6-4 by Damon Heta in Auckland a week ago.
Aussie number one Heta is set for a rapturous reception on his return to home soil when he faces compatriot Joe Comito – who stunned Niko Springer in the first round of the World Championship last December.
Gerwyn Price, champion here two years ago, opens up against Aussie darting icon Simon Whitlock.
Price finished runner-up to his Welsh compatriot Jonny Clayton in Auckland last time out and will be determined to go one better as he vies to become the first ever multiple winner of this event.
Former European Champion Whitlock qualified courtesy of last year’s ANZ Premier League triumph and will be out to improve on last week’s showing in Auckland – where he was beaten 6-4 by Josh Rock with an average of just 83.6.
Rock has struggled to make it beyond the quarter-final stage in the World Series this year and will be out to avoid a potential banana skin against fellow Tour Card holder Adam Leek.
Leek was denied by Raymond Smith in last week’s quarter-finals, though both players are already assured of a place in next month’s World Series Finals.
Smith produced a magnificent display of finishing during his landmark campaign at the New Zealand Masters and will be eyeing another upset when he faces world number two Gian van Veen.
Stephen Bunting, twice a World Series event winner last year, aims to bounce back from last week’s opening round defeat to Raymond Smith when he faces Mal Cuming – who replaces the injured Darren Penhall in this year’s field.
Ten-time major winner James Wade remains on the hunt for a maiden regular World Series title, and evergreen left-hander starts out with a tie against World Championship qualifier Tim Pusey.
The action gets under way from 10am BST, with first round ties to be contested over the best of 11 legs.
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Australian Darts Masters 2026 Day One Schedule of Play
All times BST (local time +9 hours)
Friday August 21
First Round
10am-2pm
Ross Smith v Brody Klinge
Stephen Bunting v Mal Cuming
Josh Rock v Adam Leek
James Wade v Tim Pusey
Gian van Veen v Raymond Smith
Jonny Clayton v Ben Robb
Gerwyn Price v Simon Whitlock
Damon Heta v Joe Comito
