Preview
The 2020 bwin World Series of Darts Finals begins in Salzburg, Austria on Friday as 24 of the world's elite stars compete in the first PDC tournament to be staged in front of a live crowd for over six months.
Taking place from September 18-20, the event will see 12 nationalities in action with the PDC's top stars joined by international representatives in battling it out for the 70,000 pound top prize.
History-maker Fallon Sherrock - who was initially due to compete on the World Series circuit in New York, Copenhagen, Australia and New Zealand this year following her breakthrough World Championship run - will be amongst headliners in Friday's first round.
Sherrock will make her highly-anticipated return to PDC action on Friday as she takes on Canadian number one Jeff Smith.
"I am so excited to be back playing again, especially in front of a crowd," said Sherrock, whose last PDC action came at the UK Open in March.
"I definitely thrive playing in front of a crowd, so to be part of the first PDC event in front of fans will be really special.
"Of course, it was disappointing not to be able to play around the world in the World Series events this year but you just have to accept that.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to play in this event and I'll be giving it my all to make it another memorable one for myself."
The first round will also see the Premier League's league phase winner Glen Durrant face World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh, while Australia's Damon Heta, fresh from winning his first PDC ranking title, takes on Ian White.
Austrian crowd favourite Mensur Suljovic takes to the stage in front of his home fans against Krzysztof Ratajski, before a meeting between veteran stars Simon Whitlock and Steve Beaton.
The world's top eight players - including reigning champion Michael van Gerwen and World Champion Peter Wright - are seeded and enter in Saturday's second round against Friday's winners.
"I am looking forward to performing in front of a crowd again, it's what I love to do," said Van Gerwen, the 5/2 pre-tournament favourite with sponsors bwin.
"This tournament will feel special because it's been so long since we have played in front of a crowd and I think all the players will be excited for it.
"I haven't been in the best form recently but I am human and these things happen in darts.
"The main thing is to keep believing in yourself and the performances will come as they have before."
Number three seed Gerwyn Price heads into the event as the form player, having claimed back-to-back titles on Tuesday and Wednesday to top the Autumn Series Order of Merit.
Renowned for playing the 'pantomime villain', Price is looking forward to performing in front of fans for the first time in over six months.
"I'm going into the World Series Finals with confidence and I'm looking forward to playing in front of a crowd again," said Price.
"I definitely prefer playing in front of a crowd and I think it brings the best out of me.
"I just want to carry on from where I've left off. I know I'm playing well, I've had two good days and hopefully I can carry this form into the weekend and the other ranking events for the rest of the year.
"I think everybody will be up for it this weekend though, not just me."
Finals Day on Sunday will be played over two sessions, beginning with the quarter-finals in the afternoon before the semi-finals and final take place in the evening.
The World Series of Darts Finals will be shown on ITV4 in the UK, with worldwide coverage through RTL7, DAZN and other PDC broadcast partners accompanied live streaming for PDCTV Rest of the World Subscribers.