THE PDC's top stars have landed in New Zealand for the Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King, which kicks off August's World Series of Darts treble-header Down Under.
The Auckland Darts Masters will be held from August 11-13 at the Trusts Arena, with 16 players competing for the title in the fourth international World Series event of 2017.
Reigning champion Gary Anderson will be defending his title in the tournament, and is joined amongst the eight PDC representatives by 2015 Auckland Darts Masters runner-up Raymond van Barneveld.
Legendary 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor is competing in New Zealand for the final time ahead of his retirement - and could be celebrating his 57th birthday on Sunday with victory should he go all the way to the title.
Daryl Gurney makes his second World Series appearance after reaching the U.S. Darts Masters final in Las Vegas in July on his debut, while Michael Smith is making his first appearance in the international World Series events.
Australia's Simon Whitlock - the runner-up in the 2014 Singapore Darts Masters - returns to the World Series of Darts stage, alongside two other former World Series finalists, Peter Wright and James Wade.
The eight Oceanic Representatives include top New Zealand trio Cody Harris, Rob Szabo and Warren Parry, as well as Australian pair Kyle Anderson - who won his first PDC ranking title last weekend - and Corey Cadby, the reigning PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion.
DPNZ qualifiers Mark Cleaver and Rob Modra both competed in the 2015 Auckland Darts Masters, while New Zealand's Darren Herewini is making his debut on the TV stage this weekend after he battled through last weekend's knockouts at Swanson RSA.
The draw for the Auckland Darts Masters will be made on Thursday August 10, with the tournament beginning with the first round on Friday August 11 (7pm) at the Trusts Arena.
The quarter-finals will take place on Saturday August 12 (7pm) with the event concluding on Sunday August 13 (6pm) with the semi-finals and final.
Following the Auckland Darts Masters, the World Series of Darts crosses the Tasman Sea to Australia for the Unibet Melbourne Darts Masters (August 18-20, Hisense Arena, Melbourne) and TABtouch Perth Darts Masters (August 25-27, HBF Stadium, Perth).
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF THE DRAW
Daryl Gurney Arrives In New Zealand
Superchin has landed ?? thanks @OfficialPDC journey was long but great now time for some sleep interview with TV tomorrow
— Daryl Gurney (@Superchin180) August 8, 2017
James Wade & Wife Sammi Celebrate Their Wedding Anniversary In The Air
Thank you @emirates for looking after @sammimarsh1 and I #DubaitoNewZealand #2hourstellweland pic.twitter.com/L5XJxbftZo
— James Wade (@JamesWade180) August 8, 2017
Ticket Information
The Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King, will be held from August 11-13 at the Trusts Arena. For tickets, visit www.ticketek.co.nz.
The Unibet Melbourne Darts Masters will take place from August 18-20 at the Hisense Arena. For tickets, visit www.ticketek.com.au or call 132 849. Order Season Tickets - including $120 Tiered Seat season ticket - via this link.
The TABtouch Perth Darts Masters will be held from August 25-27 at HBF Stadium. For tickets visit www.downunderevents.com.au and www.ticketmaster.com.au.
Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King
PDC Representatives
Gary Anderson
Peter Wright
James Wade
Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld
Michael Smith
Simon Whitlock
Daryl Gurney
Oceanic Representatives
Invited Players: Kyle Anderson & Cody Harris
Top two players from 2017 DPNZ Rankings: Rob Szabo & Warren Parry
DPA Qualifier: Corey Cadby
DPNZ Qualifiers: Mark Cleaver, Darren Herewini, Rob Modra
Worldwide TV
Sky Sport - New Zealand
Fox Sports - Australia
ITV - UK (Delayed with 7pm BST start on all three days)
Setanta - Ireland
RTL7 - Netherlands (Delayed highlights, 10pm start on Friday & Saturday & 10.40pm Sunday)
OSN - Middle East & North Africa
DAZN - Germany, Japan & Canada
CCTV - China
Madison Online - China
Fox Sports - Asia
Kwese - South Africa & Sub-Sahara Africa
Viasat - Scandinavia
Nova - Czech Republic
Eleven Sports - USA
PDCTV-HD via www.pdc.tv - For Rest of the World Subscribers (outside UK, Ireland & Netherlands)