Stephen Bunting is eyeing World Series of Darts history this weekend, as he bids to become the first player to win back-to-back titles at the Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters. Bunting will be among the 16 players battling it out for silverware at Forum Copenhagen on June 5-6, as eight PDC superstars take on eight […]
Stephen Bunting is eyeing World Series of Darts history this weekend, as he bids to become the first player to win back-to-back titles at the Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters.
Bunting will be among the 16 players battling it out for silverware at Forum Copenhagen on June 5-6, as eight PDC superstars take on eight Nordic & Baltic representatives in the Danish capital.
Former champions Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price will also headline, as World Champion Luke Littler and world number two Luke Humphries eye maiden titles on Scandinavian soil.
“I have really great memories from last year,” reflected Bunting, who finished top of last year’s World Series of Darts rankings.
“Being in the wonderful city of Copenhagen is always a pleasure. It’s such a beautiful place and to win the title there was a great honour.
“I played some great matches along the way against Oskar [Lukasiak], Jonny [Clayton] and Nathan [Aspinall].
“To then beat Rob Cross in the final after Rob had beaten me in the final of the Dutch Masters was a nice way to end the tournament on a high.
“It would be fantastic if I can become the first player to retain this title.
“It’s not just a great event but it’s one of the nicest trophies to win also, so that’s a huge incentive.”
Bunting returns to Copenhagen buoyed by a strong end to his Premier League campaign, which saw him celebrate Night 16 success in Sheffield and clinch a fifth-place finish.
The 41-year-old delivered a trio of superb performances in the Steel City, defeating Humphries in the final to leapfrog Dutch duo Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen in the table.
“Winning any night in the Premier League is always hard,” conceded Bunting, who also claimed the Night Four spoils in Belfast back in February.
“We’re playing the best players in the world, so to win two nights – I’m ecstatic.
“After a long campaign I can say I really enjoyed being part of it and I’m happy to have finished fifth.
“It’s given me the confidence to push on now for the rest of the season and beyond.”
Bunting averaged 98.49 across the 16 weeks of league phase action – a record only bettered by Humphries, Littler and Price – three of the four semi-finalists.
The former Masters champion will be aiming to reproduce that form in Denmark this weekend, having been pitted against Sweden’s Viktor Tingstrom in his opening round tie.
“In all honesty I’m not sure what to expect,” continued reigning champion Bunting.
“I’ve seen a few of his results on the tour and looked at his averages, but I’ll just focus on putting in a top performance and concentrate on my own game.”
2026 Nordic Darts Masters
June 5-6, Forum Copenhagen
Draw Bracket
(1) Michael van Gerwen v Oskar Lukasiak
Stephen Bunting v Viktor Tingstrom
(4) Gerwyn Price v Darius Labanauskas
Jonny Clayton v Andreas Harrysson
(2) Luke Littler v Cor Dekker
James Wade v Madars Razma
(3) Gian van Veen v Daniel Larsson
Luke Humphries v Jeffrey de Graaf
Schedule of Play
Friday June 5 (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Round One
Jonny Clayton v Andreas Harrysson
Gerwyn Price v Darius Labanauskas
Stephen Bunting v Viktor Tingstrom
Michael van Gerwen v Oskar Lukasiak
James Wade v Madars Razma
Luke Littler v Cor Dekker
Luke Humphries v Jeffrey de Graaf
Gian van Veen v Daniel Larsson
Saturday June 6 (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Best of 13 legs
Final
Best of 15 legs