What Is 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters was a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) event held from August 26–28, 2022, at the Globox Arena in Hamilton, New Zealand. It was part of the World Series of Darts and featured 16 players, including eight PDC stars and eight regional qualifiers.

Key Facts

The 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters took place from August 26–28, 2022
It was held at the Globox Arena in Hamilton, New Zealand
The tournament featured 16 players: 8 PDC stars and 8 regional qualifiers
Gerwyn Price won the event, defeating Michael Smith 11–10 in the final
It was part of the 2022 PDC World Series of Darts

Overview

The 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters was a significant stop on the Professional Darts Corporation's World Series of Darts calendar, bringing elite-level darts to Oceania. Held from August 26 to 28, the event attracted top international players and local talent, showcasing high-stakes competition in a vibrant atmosphere.

Hosted at the Globox Arena in Hamilton, the tournament followed a single-elimination format over three days. It marked the return of the World Series to New Zealand after pandemic-related disruptions, highlighting the PDC’s ongoing global expansion strategy.

Event dates: The tournament ran from August 26 to 28, 2022, aligning with the southern hemisphere’s late winter schedule.
Location: Held at the Globox Arena in Hamilton, New Zealand, a venue known for hosting major sporting and entertainment events.
Participants: Featured 16 players, including eight top PDC stars and eight qualifiers from regional and Oceanic circuits.
Winner:Gerwyn Price claimed the title by defeating Michael Smith 11–10 in a dramatic final.
Format: Matches were played in a best-of-19 legs format in the later stages, with earlier rounds using shorter sets.

How It Works

The New Zealand Darts Masters follows a structured format designed to balance competitive integrity with fan engagement across time zones and regions. Players are seeded based on rankings, and the event integrates international stars with local qualifiers to promote global participation.

World Series:Part of the PDC World Series of Darts, which includes events in Dubai, Germany, and the USA to expand darts’ global footprint.
Player Selection:Eight PDC Tour Card holders were invited based on rankings, ensuring top-tier competition throughout the event.
Qualifiers:Eight regional players earned spots via Oceanic qualifiers and national rankings, including New Zealand and Australian representatives.
Prize Fund: Offered a total of $100,000 USD, with the winner receiving $25,000 and ranking points toward PDC Order of Merit.
Match Structure: Early rounds used best-of-11 legs, while semifinals and finals were best-of-19 legs to increase intensity.
Television Coverage: Broadcast live on ESPN in the U.S. and Sky Sports in the UK, reaching millions of viewers globally.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters can be better understood by comparing it to other World Series events in terms of format, prize money, and player participation.

Event	Date	Location	Winner	Prize (1st)
New Zealand Darts Masters	Aug 26–28, 2022	Hamilton, NZ	Gerwyn Price	$25,000
US Darts Masters	June 3–4, 2022	New York, USA	Michael van Gerwen	$25,000
German Darts Masters	July 2–3, 2022	Hamburg, Germany	Michael Smith	$25,000
World Series Finals	Nov 4–6, 2022	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Michael van Gerwen	$100,000
Queensland Darts Masters	Aug 19–21, 2022	Wollongong, Australia	Gerwyn Price	$25,000

This comparison shows that the New Zealand Darts Masters offered consistent prize money and format with other regional World Series events, though the Finals in November featured a higher purse. The event also highlighted Gerwyn Price’s dominance in Oceania, as he won both the Queensland and New Zealand legs in 2022.

Why It Matters

The 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters played a crucial role in expanding darts’ popularity beyond its traditional UK base, demonstrating the sport’s growing global appeal and commercial viability. It provided a platform for regional talent and reinforced the PDC’s strategy of international growth.

Global Expansion: Reinforced the PDC’s mission to grow darts in Oceania and Asia through high-profile events.
Local Engagement: Inspired grassroots participation in New Zealand, with over 500 local youth attending darts clinics post-event.
Economic Impact: Generated an estimated $1.2 million NZD in tourism and local spending during the weekend.
Media Reach: Reached over 15 million viewers globally through broadcast partnerships with ESPN and Sky Sports.
Player Development: Gave Oceanic players rare experience competing against world-class professionals on home soil.
Commercial Growth: Attracted sponsors such as Unibet and Unicorn, highlighting increased investment in non-UK darts markets.

By combining elite competition with regional inclusion, the 2022 New Zealand Darts Masters exemplified how niche sports can achieve global reach through strategic event placement and media exposure.