Meet the North American darts stars taking on the big guns in Madison Square Garden

As the 2025 PDC US Darts Masters descends upon the iconic Madison Square Garden this weekend, the finest North American arrow-smiths are ready to showcase their talents on the world stage, taking on the superstars of the oche.

They'll face off against eight of the PDC's top stars, including last year’s victor, Rob Cross; the current World Champion, Luke Littler; and World number one, Luke Humphries, in what promises to be a thrilling two-day tournament.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the first four North American boys who’ll be stepping up to challenge the big guns:

Matt Campbell (Canada)

The Ginger Ninja is no stranger to the US Masters, just unfortunately a stranger to the taste of victory there. As a PDC Tour Card holder, this will be Matt’s fourth consecutive appearance in the World Series event, and he’s still chasing that elusive win. Last time out, the Ontario-born pro found himself on the wrong end of a Luke Littler debut demolition. However, an encouraging quarter-final run at the recent European Darts Open - his best to date on that particular tour - shows that this Campbell is in good form and might just be ready to take a bite of the Big Apple. 

Jim Long (Canada)

The second of two Canadians on show - and Campbell’s World Cup team-mate - has also made the cut, marking his third US Masters appearance - his first being back in 2019. It might have been more, but, you know, there was a global pandemic that got in the way. After triumphing in the 2023 CDC Cross-Border Challenge, Jim made a welcomed return by taking his place - then taking out World Champion Michael Smith. Known as The Gentleman, the 57-year-old doesn't lack experience, and like his fellow Ontarian, he’s more than capable of matching anyone on his day.

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Danny Lauby (USA)

As one of the two Americans holding professional status, Danny Lauby (pictured) gets another shot to impress on home soil. The former WDF Winmau World Masters semi-finalist may have been knocked out early by MVG last year, but he pushed James Wade all the way on his US Masters debut in 2018. The Indiana kid (not his nickname) has more quality than his mere four Players Championship wins this year suggest - though, in darts, results are everything. A feather in the cap in his backyard would give him a much-needed boost and perhaps spark a strong finish to the season. 

Jules van Dongen (USA)

The Dutch-born American will be the first to admit it’s been a grim year on the oche. You’d have to go back a whole year to find his last victory on the Players Championship, during a torrid stretch of battling the dreaded dartitis. Jules even tried chucking left-handed for a bit before returning to his preferred arm at the World Cup, where he fared better. It's a brave man who steps up against the best in the world on the big stage, and Jules has that courage. But even he knows guts doesn’t always bring glory. That said, if he can rediscover that magic touch - and with millions of sympathetic darts fans hoping he does - he could give anyone a run for their money.

Look out for the second four North American stars and the draw details as soon as they are available.

The US Darts Masters is the North American leg of the Professional Darts Corporation’s World Series of Darts and, thanks, at least in part, to a legendary venue at Madison Square Garden, is fast becoming its most iconic.

The 2025 staging of the bet365 US Darts Masters will take place in New York on June 27-28, as Luke Littler and reigning champion Rob Cross make their return to The Theater.

2025 bet365 US Darts Masters

June 27-28, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York

PDC Representatives

Luke Humphries (England)
Luke Littler (England)
Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
Stephen Bunting (England)
Rob Cross (England)
Gerwyn Price (Wales)
Damon Heta (Australia)
Nathan Aspinall (England)

North American Representatives

Matt Campbell (Canada)
Jim Long (Canada)
Danny Lauby (USA)
Jules van Dongen (USA)
Leonard Gates (USA)
Adam Sevada (USA)
Jason Brandon (USA)
Stowe Buntz (USA)

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