Nordic Darts Masters Viktor Tingstrom beats Bunting Littler Humphries van Gerwen progress

Nordic Darts Masters opened with a surprise as Viktor Tingstrom stunned reigning champion Stephen Bunting in the first round. The Swedish star edged Bunting 6-5 in a tight match, becoming only the third Nordic or Baltic player to reach the knockout stages since the event began in 2021. Tingstrom, 25, called the win “the best memory in darts” and said he approached the match without pressure. His next opponent will be 2021 champion Michael van Gerwen, who defeated Oskar Lukasiak 6-2 in his last 16 clash.

Meanwhile, Luke Humphries delivered a standout performance, averaging 109.92 in a 6-3 win over Jeffrey de Graaf. The world number two credited improved confidence and double accuracy to his recent form. “I’ve had so many 100+ averages,” Humphries said. “My doubles have been better.” He will face Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals after the Dutch star edged Daniel Larsson 6-3, including a 167 outshot in the final leg.

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Another highlight came from Luke Littler, who beat Norway’s Cor Dekker 6-1. The 17-year-old, chasing his first Nordic Darts Masters title, landed a 129 checkout during the match. “I had a good week off,” Littler said. “But I knew today was back to work.” He will face James Wade in the quarter-finals, who returned to the World Series of Darts with a 6-1 win over Madars Razma.

Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton also advanced. Price survived a match dart in a 6-5 thriller against Darius Labanauskas, despite hitting three ton-plus checkouts. Clayton, meanwhile, demolished Andreas Harrysson 6-0, averaging 104.86 and converting 75% of his doubles. Both will meet in the final if they progress.

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The tournament continues Saturday with quarter-finals at the Forum Copenhagen. The top four teams from the 2026 World Cup of Darts will be seeded, including England, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The event will take place in Frankfurt from June 11-14, with 40 nations competing in a pairs format. The draw for the World Cup will be based on PDC rankings, with the lowest cumulative score determining seeds.

The Nordic Darts Masters will conclude with the final on Saturday, June 6, at the Forum Copenhagen. The World Cup of Darts, scheduled for June 11-14 in Frankfurt, will see teams compete in a unique pairs format. The top four nations based on PDC rankings will be seeded, while the remaining 36 countries will compete in round-robin groups. The tournament’s structure aims to balance experience with emerging talent, ensuring a competitive field.

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As the event progresses, attention will focus on Tingstrom’s ability to challenge van Gerwen, Humphries’ pursuit of another high average, and Littler’s bid for his first major title. The Nordic Darts Masters has proven to be a platform for underdogs, with Tingstrom’s victory a reminder that the sport’s unpredictability continues to captivate fans worldwide.