Nordic Darts Masters: Stephen Bunting beaten by Victor Tingstrom as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen progress | Darts News

Viktor Tingstrom stunned defending champion Stephen Bunting on the opening night of the Mr. Vegas Nordic Darts Masters.

The first day of the year’s third World Series of Darts event saw eight PDC superstars face off against their Nordic and Baltic counterparts at the Forum Copenhagen, as Tingstrom stole the headlines.

The Swedish star has survived seven match darts in Bunting’s accounting, becoming only the third Nordic and Baltic representative to win the event since its inception in 2021.

“I have some good memories in darts, but I don’t think that can beat it at the moment,” revealed the 25-year-old.

“Being the third Nordic and Baltic player in this tournament is a great day.

“I just came here trying to enjoy myself. I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I don’t have any pressure on myself.”

Tingstrom’s reward is a showdown against the 2021 champion Michael van Gerwenwho won his last 16 clash 6-2 against two-time World Cup quarter-finalist Oscar Lukasiak.

Humphries was the standout performer on Friday, though, averaging 109.92 and converting six of his nine attempts to double to win in a high-quality affair against an in-form Jeffrey de Graaf.

“I felt good out there. In the last four to five weeks I have become much more comfortable with my throws and I feel like I can play this level many more times,” asserted the world number two.

“It gives you confidence. I had a 100+ average, a lot of good performances, and my doubles got better.”

Humphries’ next assignment will pit him against the European champions Jean van Veenwho outshot a magnificent 167 to win 6-3 against four-time World Championship qualifier Daniel Larsson.

Luke Littler – eyeing a maiden Nordic Darts Masters crown in the Danish capital – accounted for Norwegian number one Cor Dekker in a 6-1 clash, producing a stylish 129 checkout en route.

“It’s good to see James, it’s good to see him get an opportunity with how well he’s doing,” Littler said.

“Hopefully we’ll have another good game tomorrow. Just a week ago you won the World League Premier League final.

“I’ve probably had one of the best weeks off, just relaxing, chilling, no darts. But I knew from today, this morning, I knew I was back to work.”

He will face James Wade who marked his first World Series of Darts appearance since 2022 with a comprehensive victory at the expense of Mothers Rajma.

Welsh duo Johnny Clayton And Gerwyn Price Will also face off on the final day after back-to-back wins against Andreas Harrison and Darius Labanouskas respectively.

Clayton opened his title bid with a six-leg demolition of the enigmatic Harrison, averaging 104.86 and doubling 75 per cent of his attempts in an all-action display.

Price averaged just north of 104 in a 6-5 win over Labnauskas, in a contest that featured a staggering six-plus ton checkout.

Yet, despite converting checkouts of 120, 128 and 156, Price was forced to survive a match dart to double 16, with Labanouskas also landing a hat-trick of ton-plus finishes with the loss.

The Nordic Darts Masters concludes on Saturday, as Forum Copenhagen plays host to quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals in a blockbuster evening session.

2026 Mr. Vegas Nordic Darts Masters
Friday June 5

Round one
Johnny Clayton 6-0 Andreas Harrison
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Darius Labanauskas
Victor Tingstrom 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Oscar Lukasiak
James Wade 6-1 Mothers Rajma
Luke Littler 6-2 Core Decker
Luke Humphries 6-3 Jeffrey De Graaf
Gian van Veen 6-3 Daniel Larsson

Saturday 6 June (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-final
Michael van Gerwen vs Victor Tingstrom
Garwin Price vs. Johnny Clayton
Luke Littler vs. James Wade
Gian van Veen vs Luke Humphries
Best of 11 legs

semi-final
Van Gerwen/Tingstrom vs. Price/Clayton
Littler/Wade vs. Van Veen/Humphries
Best of 13 legs

the final
Best of 15 legs

What’s happening next for Sky Sports?

The 2026 World Cup of Darts will take place at the Eisporthalle in Frankfurt from June 11-14, as 40 countries compete for the coveted title in a unique pairs event.

The top four ranked nations are selected based on the lowest cumulative PDC ranking of the two competing players and will enter the last 16.

They include top seed England, four-time winners the Netherlands, reigning champions Northern Ireland and two-time champions Scotland.

The remaining 36 nations have been divided into 12 groups of three for a round-robin stage – including the 12 qualifying nations – from which each group winner will advance.

Who will win this Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the final night on Sky Sports next Thursday. Stream darts and more great games now.