Introducing the North American Contenders for the 2025 US Darts Masters

The 2025 US Darts Masters marks the fourth World Series event of the season and will take place this weekend, running from Friday, June 27th to Saturday, June 28th at the iconic Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.

The tournament will see eight North American players go head-to-head with eight PDC stars in a knockout format. Among the home contingent are four PDC Tour Card holders and four qualifiers from the CDC, the Championship Darts Circuit, the PDC's North American affiliate tour. Let’s meet the players representing North America on one of darts’ biggest stages.

Matt Campbell – World Number 53

Nickname: The Ginja Ninja

Campbell has enjoyed a steady 2025 so far, producing solid performances and recording his best-ever run on the European Tour. The Canadian looks well on course to retain his PDC Tour Card for a fourth successive season and will be aiming to become the first player to successfully defend the North American Championship title, which he won last year. He has also reached two Pro Tour finals in his career and continues to climb the rankings with consistent displays.

Round 1 Opponent: Nathan Aspinall

Danny Lauby – World Number 86

Nickname: The Cujo

The rapid-throwing American earned his PDC Tour Card in January 2024 but looks likely to lose it at the end of this season unless there’s a dramatic upturn in form. Lauby is yet to progress beyond the third round of a Players Championship event and has qualified for just one European Tour during his time on the circuit. A four-time CDC title winner, Lauby is clearly talented but currently lacks the consistency, particularly in his B and C game, to regularly compete at the professional level.

Round 1 Opponent: Rob Cross

Jim Long – World Number 108

Nickname: The Gentleman

The 57-year-old Canadian is a latecomer to the PDC circuit, having earned his Tour Card for the first time in January 2025. Prior to that, Long competed in both the WDF and World Seniors systems. A five-time CDC event winner and two-time representative for Canada at the PDC World Cup of Darts, Long will be looking to make an impact in his debut season as a Tour Card holder.

Round 1 Opponent: Damon Heta

Jules van Dongen – World Number 141

Nickname: The Dutch Dragon

Dutch-born but now based in Missouri, USA, van Dongen burst onto the American darts scene in 2020, quickly rising through the ranks with standout performances and natural talent. He claimed a CDC title and famously averaged 116.34 in a 2023 CDC event. Since earning his PDC Tour Card in 2022, however, he has struggled to make a significant impact. Over the past year, van Dongen has battled dartitis and a nerve issue in his throwing arm, which has severely affected his form, at times averaging below 70. In an effort to reset, he even briefly switched to throwing left-handed before returning to his natural right side. He now continues to fight through his challenges in hopes of reviving his career.

Round 1 Opponent: Luke Littler

Leonard Gates – CDC Cross-Border Challenge Winner 2025

Nickname: The Soulger

One of the most recognisable figures in North American darts, Gates has made his mark across multiple codes, including the PDC, WDF, and World Seniors. A 10-time CDC event winner, he currently sits as the World Number 1 in the WDF rankings and has also claimed three World Seniors TV titles. Gates represented the USA at the 2023 PDC World Cup of Darts and continues to set new benchmarks in his career, most recently averaging 113.43 en route to winning the 2025 Tricoda Open.

Round 1 Opponent: Michael van Gerwen

Adam Sevada – Number 1 CDC Order of Merit

Nickname: The Reaper

Sevada currently tops the CDC Order of Merit, with two event wins already under his belt this season. He also recorded his highest-ever average of 103.24 earlier in the year, highlighting his growing potential. After managing just a single leg in a one-sided loss to a clinical Rob Cross in the opening round of last year’s US Darts Masters, Sevada will be determined to deliver a much-improved performance this time around.

Round 1 Opponent: Gerwyn Price

Stowe Buntz – Number 2 CDC Order of Merit

Nickname: Neon Nightmare

Buntz has racked up six CDC event wins in his career, along with three WDF titles and a notable triumph at the CDC Continental Cup. Currently ranked second on the CDC Order of Merit, he added one title to his tally this season and continues to build momentum. Buntz has qualified for multiple PDC majors in recent years and announced himself on the big stage with a colourful personality and bold attire. He made a sensational debut at the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts, reaching the quarter-finals before falling to Stephen Bunting 16–8. Despite first-round exits at the past two World Championships, he’s shown plenty of promise on the big stage.

Round 1 Opponent: Luke Humphries

Jason Brandon – Number 5 CDC Order of Merit

Nickname: Brandy

Though one of the lesser-known players in this field, Brandon has built an impressive career with several notable achievements. The 50-year-old has won four WDF titles and currently sits fifth on both the CDC and WDF Order of Merit rankings. His recent highlight includes reaching the semi-final of the 2024 WDF World Championship, where he was defeated 5-0 by the legendary Paul Lim.

Round 1 Opponent: Stephen Bunting

The US Darts Masters always provides a special showcase of North American talent, and this year’s field has plenty of storylines to follow. Will Sevada and Buntz take their CDC momentum into the global spotlight? Can van Dongen put recent struggles behind him against the formidable Luke Littler? And might a veteran like Jim Long or Jason Brandon spring a surprise?

As the action unfolds at Madison Square Garden, expect passion, unpredictability, and maybe even a giant-killing or two because when it comes to darts in the Big Apple, anything can happen.