# Where to Watch the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters for Free: Schedule, UK Times, Draw, and Players in Auckland
The 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters, a thrilling chapter in the World Series of Darts, is set to ignite Auckland’s Spark Arena on August 15-16, 2025. As the seventh and penultimate event of the series before the grand finale in Amsterdam, this tournament brings together eight of the PDC’s elite players and eight Oceanic qualifiers for two nights of electrifying competition. With defending champion Luke Humphries aiming to retain his crown and young phenom Luke Littler fresh off a victory in Australia, the stage is set for high-stakes drama. For fans eager to catch every dart thrown, here’s everything you need to know about watching the event for free, the schedule in UK times, the draw, and the star-studded lineup.
### Where to Watch for Free
Fans in the UK can watch the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters live and free on Pluto TV, a streaming platform offering coverage without a subscription fee. “Die New Zealand Darts Masters 2025 GRATIS live im TV bei Pluto TV,” a recent post on social media announced, highlighting this accessible option for darts enthusiasts. For those preferring traditional broadcasts, ITV4 will air the event on delay, with the first round airing at 7pm BST on Friday, August 15, and the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final at 5pm BST on Saturday, August 16. Live streaming is also available on PDCTV for subscribers, though this requires a paid account, except in the UK, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where DAZN covers the event. In New Zealand, Sky Sports will broadcast both days live, ensuring local fans don’t miss a moment of the action at Spark Arena. For global viewers, PDCTV remains the go-to platform for live coverage, while Fox Sports will air the event in Australia alongside PDCTV.
### Schedule and UK Times
The tournament spans two action-packed days, with a schedule tailored to Auckland’s time zone, which is 12 hours ahead of BST. The first round kicks off on Friday, August 15, at 8am BST (8pm NZT), featuring eight matches as the PDC stars face Oceanic qualifiers. The session is expected to wrap up around midday BST, making it an early morning watch for UK fans. On Saturday, August 16, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final begin at 8am BST, concluding by midday. This earlier start compared to the Australian Darts Masters’ 10am BST schedule reflects the time difference and ensures a compact, high-energy viewing experience. “It’s an 8am start time (9am CET),” noted a recent preview, emphasizing the morning slot for UK viewers.
### Draw and Format
The 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters features a 16-player field, with the draw pitting the top eight PDC players against eight Oceanic qualifiers. The PDC contingent includes defending champion Luke Humphries, who dominated last year’s final with an 8-2 rout of Damon Heta, and Luke Littler, who claimed his first World Series title in Australia last week. The draw, finalized on August 14, follows the 2025 World Series rankings after six events, with seedings determining first-round matchups. The format is straightforward: first-round matches are best-of-11 legs, quarter-finals and semi-finals are best-of-13, and the final is best-of-15. Notable absences include Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall, who declined invitations for family reasons, opening the door for debutants like Mike De Decker and Josh Rock.
### Players Involved
The PDC’s elite eight are a powerhouse lineup: Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey, Mike De Decker, Damon Heta, and Josh Rock. Humphries, the 2024 champion, enters as the second favorite behind Littler, whose 104.7 average in Australia showcased his prodigious talent. “Humphries form has been far less consistent this year,” noted a recent analysis, making Littler a slight favorite with UK betting sites. Damon Heta, a local hero, aims to leverage his strong Oceania fanbase after reaching last year’s final. The Oceanic qualifiers include Simon Whitlock, Haupai Puha, and Jonny Tata, who also competed in Australia, alongside one PDC Tour Card holder, five DPNZ qualifiers, and one DPA qualifier. Puha, in particular, nearly upset Littler in Australia, making him a crowd favorite in Auckland.
### Prize Money and Stakes
The 2025 tournament boasts a £100,000 prize pool, a significant jump from last year’s £60,000. The winner will claim £30,000, the runner-up £16,000, semi-finalists £10,000 each, quarter-finalists £5,000, and first-round losers £1,750. This increased purse heightens the stakes, especially for players like De Decker, who reached the Australian final on his World Series debut, and Rock, looking to make a mark in his second World Series event. The passionate Auckland crowd, coupled with the new venue at Spark Arena, promises an electric atmosphere as players vie for the title and a strong finish before the World Series Finals on September 12-14 in Amsterdam.
With free streaming on Pluto TV, a compact schedule for UK viewers, and a field blending darts’ biggest names with hungry qualifiers, the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters is not to be missed. Whether you’re rooting for Humphries to defend his title or Littler to continue his meteoric rise, this tournament delivers world-class darts and unforgettable moments.
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