Van Veen Stranded in Auckland as Luggage Remains in Paris Ahead of World Series Event
World No 2 Gian van Veen arrives in New Zealand for the Masters tournament while his equipment stays in Europe, prompting an apology from the carrier.
Dutch darts player Gian van Veen has arrived in Auckland for the New Zealand Darts Masters, but his competition gear remains stranded in Paris. The world No 2, who recently surpassed Luke Humphries to claim the second spot in the rankings, took to social media to request urgent assistance from Qatar Airways regarding the mishandled baggage.
Van Veen posted a message on the platform X, tagging the airline’s support page to highlight the logistical failure. He confirmed his presence in Auckland but noted that his bags were still at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, emphasising the critical need for the equipment before the weekend’s World Series tournament.
Qatar Airways responded to the public appeal with an apology for the incident. The carrier requested that Van Veen contact them directly to facilitate the recovery and delivery of his luggage, though the exact timeline for the items’ arrival in New Zealand has not been confirmed.
The New Zealand Darts Masters represents the fifth of six regular World Series events in 2026. Previous winners in the circuit include Michael van Gerwen, who claimed titles in Bahrain and the Nordic Masters, Luke Littler in Saudi Arabia, and Luke Humphries at the US Masters.
Van Veen’s credentials ahead of the Auckland event are significant, having finished as runner-up to Luke Littler at the 2026 World Darts Championship and winning the 2025 European Championship. He is also a two-time World Youth champion.
The field in Auckland features a strong lineup of international players, including Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock, Ross Smith, and Damon Heta. Local competitors Simon Whitlock, Jonny Tata, and Haupai Puha will also be in action.
The tournament schedule continues with the Australian Masters later this month, followed by the World Series Finals in Amsterdam from September 17 to 20. Michael van Gerwen won the previous year’s final in Amsterdam, defeating Littler 11-7. Sky Sports will subsequently broadcast the BoyleSports World Grand Prix from September 28 to October 4, where Littler will defend his title.
