WORLD CHAMPION Gary Anderson is to make his debut in the PDC's World Series of Darts during 2015 after being confirmed amongst the eight competitors for May's Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters.
The Scottish star rose back into the world's top eight during a superb 2014 before capping the year by winning the Players Championship Finals and World Championship titles to move up to third in the PDC Order of Merit.
He will compete for the first time on the PDC's international World Series of Darts circuit in 2015 as one of eight leading stars competing this year, with the opening event being held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai on May 28 & 29.
World number one Michael van Gerwen is aiming to win the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters title for a third successive year, with the event's two previous beaten finalists, Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright, also in action.
Phil Taylor, the 16-time World Champion and a World Series of Darts winner in Perth and Sydney last summer, is also amongst the field alongside reigning UK Open champion Adrian Lewis, 2014 Masters winner James Wade and former Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting.
The eight-player event will begin at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on Thursday May 28 with the four quarter-finals, with play concluding on Friday May 29 with the semi-finals and final.
Coverage of the event - unique for being played outdoors at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium - will be broadcast live across the Middle East on Dubai Sports TV and OSN, with further live coverage to be confirmed.
Dubai Duty Free have continued their backing of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters with a new sponsorship deal, alongside partners Qantas, JW Marriott and Sixt Car Hire, while new partner NKD Pizza will allow fans to buy tickets through their delivery service when ordering from them.
The tournament is also being backed by the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Calendar, with official media partners 7Days, Time Out, Arabian Radio Network's Dubai Eye, Dubai 92 and Virgin Radio and Radio 2 also supporting the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters.
"The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters has been a very positive development in augmenting the exposure of darts in both Dubai and across the Middle East," said PDC Chief Executive Matthew Porter.
"Darts fans in Dubai will now get to see the best players in darts live both in the stadium and on television.
"With players from 21 countries having competed recently in William Hill World Darts Championship, we at the PDC see the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters as an important stepping-stone in the sport's worldwide growth."
Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters are available now, with a special offer of General Admission tickets costing AED139 per day or AED249 for both days for tickets bought before March 31.
From April 1, General Admission tickets will be priced at AED180 per day or AED299 for both days.
Tickets will be sold through Irish Village (www.irishvillage.ae) and Timeout Tickets (www.itp.net/tickets).
VIP Hospitality tables, which include all food and beverages, are also available starting at AED7,999 for ten persons. For further information, please call the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters hotline on: +971 553 095 495.
Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
General Admission (Daily Ticket, Free Seating) AED180
General Admission (Both Sessions, Free Seating) AED299
Corporate Table (Ten Persons) Thursday AED7,999/Friday AED9,999
Corporate Table (Both Sessions, Ten Persons) AED15,999
Special Offer
General Admission tickets purchased before March 30 are on sale at the following prices:
General Admission (Daily Ticket, Free Seating) AED139
General Admission (Both Sessions, Free Seating) AED249
Holiday Packages to Dubai, which include flight, hotel and tickets to the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, will be announced in due course.
Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
2015 Competitors
Michael van Gerwen
Phil Taylor
Gary Anderson
Adrian Lewis
Peter Wright
James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld
Stephen Bunting