NZ Darts Masters 2026: Price, Wade Look Unstoppable Heading into Quarter-Finals

Gerwyn Price Peaking at the Perfect Time in Auckland 

Gerwyn Price has not had the best season to this point, but he entered the stage at Auckland’s Spark Arena with a point to prove, and his 6-1 demolition of local challenger Ben Robb showed that “The Iceman” is now operating at his terrifying peak. 

Price’s first nine-dart average hovered comfortably over the 106-mark, allowing him to break Robb’s throw early and completely remove the impact of the boisterous home crowd from the equation en route to victory and confirming our NZ Darts Masters predictions.

Following his match, Price openly stated that his focus is purely on the trophy. In a best-of-11-legs quarter-final environment, his unmatched scoring consistency is built perfectly to choke out any potential underdog ambushes through the remainder of the weekend. 

See our darts predictions

James Wade’s 6-0 Lockout Proves That “The Machine” Is Humming

While Price relied on brute force in his opener, James Wade delivered a masterclass in ruthless efficiency by executing a flawless 6-0 whitewash over New Zealand youngster Kayden Milne. The victory was a clear indicator that “The Machine” is set for a deep run here in Auckland. 

Despite facing a partisan crowd, Wade’s trademark stone-cold demeanour allowed him to control the match clock, killing the game off in record time before Milne could even register a shot at double. Indeed, The Machine turned every scoring error by the youngster into immediate psychological punishment. 

The World Series Finals Day requires a player to win three matches in a single day. Wade’s clinical, low-energy destruction on opening day means he enters Saturday completely fresh, making him the standout in the top half of the draw. 

NZ Darts Masters 2026: Quarter-Finals Bracket Confirmed