Price to open 2026 Australian Darts Masters against Whitlock

Gerwyn Price will begin his campaign for a second Australian Darts Masters title against Simon Whitlock in the opening match of the 2026 KenoGO Australian Darts Masters. The tournament, which serves as the final stop of the World Series of Darts, is scheduled to take place at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on 21 and 22 August 2026.

Price, who claimed the inaugural title in 2024, is the top seed in the competition. He will take centre stage on Friday night to renew his rivalry with Whitlock, a player described as an Australian icon and a legendary figure in the sport. The match is set to be the headline event of the opening night session.

Jonny Clayton is also aiming to secure back-to-back titles following his recent victory in New Zealand. Clayton will face Ben Robb in Friday's schedule, adding another high-profile contest to the preliminary rounds. The presence of multiple title contenders underscores the competitive nature of the event as it reaches its conclusion.

The full Friday schedule includes matches between Ross Smith and Brody Klinge, Stephen Bunting and Mal Cuming, Josh Rock and Adam Leek, and James Wade and Tim Pusey. Additionally, Gian van Veen will face Raymond Smith, while Damon Heta is set to play Joe Comito. These fixtures form the first stage of the competition before the knockout rounds commence.

The tournament structure involves best-of-11-legs matches throughout the event. Following the Friday opening night, the competition will move to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final on Saturday evening. This two-day format allows for a comprehensive conclusion to the World Series of Darts season.

The event highlights the growing profile of darts in Australia, with the WIN Entertainment Centre hosting the final World Series stop. The scheduling of high-profile matches on both days ensures sustained interest from fans and broadcasters as the season draws to a close.