Darts
Australian Darts Masters 2026: Predictions & Betting Tips
The 2026 Australian Darts Masters welcomes a selection of the PDC’s finest stars to Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre, with William Hill News on hand to preview the action.
The Australian Darts Masters has served as one of the key events on the World Series circuit since its inception in 2024, but there is one notable change in 2026. In a classy touch by the tournament, the victors will now lift the Kyle Anderson Trophy, in honour of the late Australian darts trailblazer.
While neither Luke Littler or Luke Humphries will be competing for the trophy this year, we still have a star-studded line-up including World No.2 Gian van Veen, former World Championship winner and World No.4 Gerwyn Price, four-time PDC Major winner and World No.5 Jonny Clayton, and 13 other big names all in the hat.
Let’s take a look at how things could unfold this weekend.
Predictions
We have one former champion in the field this year as Gerwyn Price returns to Australia to reclaim the crown he lost to Luke Humphries, who won’t be there to defend his title.
Price is the 11/4 outright favourite to win the tournament and he is a worthy market leader having reached the final of the recent New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland last weekend.
His form hadn’t been quite so solid in the preceding PDC World Series events, however, which puts a question mark over his consistency and makes him a favourite worth betting against here.
It’s no surprise to see that last weekend’s winner and Price’s fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton is next in the betting as he continues his fine form on the PDC World Series. Clayton heads here as a 9/2 shot, which looks fair value given he can be backed each-way and still return a small profit if losing in the final.
James Wade has also been ticking along nicely but 7/1 looks a tad too short about a player whose last victory came at the UK Open back in March.
With that in mind, we turn to Gian van Veen and Stephen Bunting for our value selections.
Van Veen is a 9/2 chance here and is no doubt one of the most talented players on the circuit, as his World No.2 status would suggest. The Dutchman hasn’t been winning of late but he’s been going noticeably deep in most tournaments, reaching the semi-finals in four of his last six competitions. If things fall his way elsewhere and he is dealt a favourable draw, he could well prove to be the ultimate value selection.
Lurking in the shadows at double-figure odds is Stephen Bunting (11/1). “The Bullet” has already fired in two wins this season, most recently on Night 16 of the Premier League.
In his most recent PDC World Series outing he left nothing at the oche when falling to a 6-5 defeat by Luke Humphries, with the draw clearly not in his favour there. He has the ability to score his opponents out of the game and can be a potent finisher. If he’s on song he could be a tough nut to crack.
Prediction: Gian van Veen (9/2) OR Stephen Bunting (11/1) to win
*Prices accurate at the time of writing – odds subject to change*
