Two darts stars forced to withdraw from World Series Finals due to visa issues

Filipino darts players Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo have withdrawn from the World Series Finals due to Visa problems.

The duo have been replaced by Daryl Gurney and Maik Kuivenhoven for the Finals, which are set to take place later this month.

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The World Series comes to a conclusion in Amsterdam, starting on Thursday, September 17 and coming to an end on Sunday, September 20.

In a statement, the PDC confirmed what had happened to the duo.

They said: “Lourence Ilagan and Alexis Toylo have withdrawn from the 2026 World Series of Darts Finals due to Visa issues, and will be replaced in the field by Daryl Gurney and Maik Kuivenhoven.

“Ilagan and Toylo did not receive a decision for their Schengen Visa application before being required to travel to China for the final PDC Asian Tour weekend and Monday’s PDC Asian Championship, and as such have withdrawn from the World Series of Darts Finals.

“As per PDC Rule 3.7, the pair have been replaced by Gurney and Kuivenhoven – the highest-ranked players on the Reserve List following last month’s Tour Card Holder Qualifier.

“The Filipino duo have been replaced in order of qualification, therefore Gurney will take Ilagan’s place in the field, and will face reigning champion Michael van Gerwen on Thursday’s opening night in Amsterdam.

“Kuivenhoven, meanwhile, will mark his return to home soil with a clash against 2021 champion Jonny Clayton, having taken Toylo’s spot in next week’s showpiece.”

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World Series Finals: Schedule

(All times GMT)

Thursday, September 17 (18:00)
Round One
Viktor Tingstrom vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
Rob Cross vs Ryan Searle
Karel Sedlacek vs Ben Robb
Kevin Doets vs Ross Smith
Stephen Bunting vs Josh Rock
Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney
Gian van Veen vs Chris Dobey

Friday, September 18 (18:00)
Round One
Adam Leek vs Jim Long
Motomu Sakai vs Callan Rydz
Wessel Nijman vs Simon Whitlock
Nathan Aspinall vs Raymond Smith
James Wade vs Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price vs Brody Klinge
Luke Littler vs Danny Noppert
Jonny Clayton vs Maik Kuivenhoven

Saturday, September 19
Afternoon Session (12:00)
Round Two
Van Gerwen/Gurney vs Doets/Ross Smith
Bunting/Rock vs Cross/Searle
Humphries/Wattimena vs Tingstrom/Van Duijvenbode
Van Veen/Dobey vs Sedlacek/Robb
Order of play to be confirmed.

Evening Session (18:00)
Round Two
Price/Klinge vs Leek/Long
Wade/Heta vs Nijman/Whitlock
Littler/Noppert vs Aspinall/Raymond Smith
Clayton/Kuivenhoven vs Sakai/Rydz
Order of play to be confirmed.

Sunday, September 20
Afternoon Session (12:00)
Quarter-Finals

Evening Session (18:00)
Semi-Finals
Final

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Unexpected spot

The departure of Ilagan and Toylo due to something out of their control has given Gurney and Kuivenhoven a chance they weren’t expecting.

Neither man has an easy draw to start off with if they are to progress. Gurney is action on night one as he takes on defending champion Michael van Gerwen.

The Dutch legend beat Luke Littler in last year’s final 11-7 to claim his sixth World Series title.

And should the Northern Irishman overcome him, Kevin Doets or Ross Smith will be in the second round.

Kuivenhoven has an equally tough evening to start off as he takes on Jonny Clayton.

And in round two, it would either be Motomu Sakai or Callan Rydz.