The roar of the crowd at Alexandra Palace has barely faded, yet the world of professional darts is already surging forward. Just days after Luke Littler claimed a history-making £1 million prize, the sport’s biggest names are preparing for back-to-back events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Littler, still basking in the glow of his World Championship victory, and runner-up Gian van Veen will lead a formidable lineup including Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price. These titans of the oche will face a unique challenge as the sport expands into new territories.
But the upcoming tournaments aren’t just about the established stars. A true crowd favorite from the World Championship, Motomu Sakai, is set to return to the stage. The Japanese player, affectionately known as “The Creature,” captivated audiences with his electrifying walk-ons and wildly expressive performances.
Sakai’s story is as unconventional as his on-stage persona. He revealed that he initially picked up darts hoping to impress girls, but quickly discovered a passion for the game. His unique style, complete with bizarre faces and energetic dances, has become his trademark.
“I always make weird faces,” Sakai confessed, “and everybody tells me that I look like a creature when I do that. I believe that the more I dance, the more my darts fly well.” Despite a second-round exit at the World Championship, his impact was undeniable.
Joining Sakai and the PDC’s elite will be a host of talented Asian players, including Filipino hopefuls Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia events will provide a crucial platform for these rising stars to test themselves against the best in the world.
Adding to the intrigue is the presence of darts legend Paul Lim, a remarkable 71 years young. “The Singapore Slinger” proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with, winning his first-round match at Ally Pally and reminding everyone of his legendary 9-darter from the 1990 World Championship.
The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters will mark a historic moment – the first professional darts event ever held in the Kingdom. Players will navigate a different atmosphere, respecting local traditions and laws. It’s a new frontier for a sport rapidly gaining global appeal.
Beyond Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the 2026 World Series of Darts promises a packed schedule, with events planned for the Nordic region, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, culminating in the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. The darting world is expanding, and the excitement is only just beginning.
