Darts: Hamilton confirmed to host 2020 NZ Masters

Hamilton will again host the biggest names in darts in 2020 when the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Series returns to New Zealand. 

Following the success at Claudelands Arena successfully earlier this year, the PDC confirmed Hamilton would host next year's event on August 21-22, 2020. 

The event sees eight of the game's best players, who have yet to be named, joined by eight qualifiers from the Oceania region.

While the PDC have yet to confirm the players' list, defending NZ champion Michael van Gerwen is set to return while its understood Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price is expected to make the trip down under for the first time. 

PDC chief executive Matthew Porter is pleased to return to Hamilton, after more than 7500 fans turned up to watch the event back in August. 

"It's fantastic for us to be able to return to Hamilton for the NZ Darts Masters in 2020, following what was a really successful debut at the Claudelands Arena in August," said Porter.

"The World Series of Darts continues to go from strength to strength and the NZ Darts Masters will be our last of six worldwide events in 2020 as our top stars compete globally against the best local talent.

"It's been great to see the progression of darts in New Zealand in recent years as more players make their mark at the top level, and this will be another great opportunity for them to play against the sport's top names in front of their home fans."

This year's event was a massive success for New Zealand darts, with Canterbury's Ben Robb becoming just the third Kiwi to win a World Series match, while local referee Terry Jowett took control of three matches. 

Hamilton is the second city to be confirmed for the 2020 World Series, with Madison Square Garden in New York to host the North American leg of the tour on June 5-6. Further 2020 World Series of Darts events will be announced in due course.