DRAW World Grand Prix 2025 | Humphries vs Aspinall, Littler vs Van Veen & Anderson vs Van Barneveld among blockbuster ties

The BoyleSports World Grand Prix is always the most unpredictable event on the calendar, and this year’s draw has ensured the fireworks will start from the very first dart in Leicester. With its unforgiving double-in, double-out format, even the biggest names know they can’t afford a slow start – and several headline clashes mean big hitters are guaranteed an early exit. Find the draw for the first round right here!

World number one Luke Humphries begins his campaign against Nathan Aspinall in a tie that would look more at home in the quarter-finals than the first round. Humphries claimed this title last year as part of his surge to the top of the rankings, but he will need to be sharp from the off to fend off an opponent who relishes the pressure of the TV stage. Aspinall’s resilience in set play makes him a nightmare draw, and this is the standout tie of the opening round.

Reigning World Champion Luke Littler begins his second tilt at the Grand Prix against Gian van Veen. Littler has made the extraordinary look routine since lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy in January, but he is still learning to navigate darts’ trickiest formats. He reached the quarter-finals on debut last year, and will now look to build on that with the weight of expectation greater than ever. Van Veen, one of the brightest talents of the new generation, will see this as a chance to make his own breakthrough.

Few first-round ties carry the same history as Gary Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld. Two icons of the sport, both resurgent in patches this season, meet in what promises to be a nostalgic but fiercely contested showdown. Anderson has shown flashes of his old brilliance on the floor and stage, while Van Barneveld remains capable of producing world-class spells despite his inconsistency. For one legend, the Grand Prix dream will be over almost as soon as it begins.

Six-time champion Michael van Gerwen has owned this event like no other, but his opener against Dirk van Duijvenbode is far from straightforward. Van Duijvenbode’s explosive scoring can trouble anyone, and he will relish the chance to upset his compatriot under the bright lights. Van Gerwen remains the man to beat in Leicester, yet the short format of the opening round has undone favourites before.

Former champion Gerwyn Price will need to be on guard against Ryan Searle. Price’s combination of power scoring and set-play pedigree has long made him a threat in this tournament, but Searle’s heavy 180-hitting makes him one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the draw. If Searle settles quickly on the doubles, this could be one of the ties of the round.

Elsewhere, two-time World Champion Peter Wright takes on Mike de Decker in a clash where current form suggests an upset is not impossible. Rob Cross, a proven performer in the set-play format, opens against Wessel Nijman, while Jonny Clayton will face Andrew Gilding. All three seeded names will start as favourites, but none will underestimate the challenge in front of them.

Stephen Bunting, buoyed by his recent European Tour triumph in Switzerland, plays Niko Springer, while Chris Dobey meets the mercurial Cameron Menzies. Josh Rock takes on Ryan Joyce, and an all-Dutch battle between Danny Noppert and Jermaine Wattimena promises added spice. Completing the line-up, Damon Heta faces Luke Woodhouse in what could be a closely fought encounter.

Once again, the double-in format threatens to rip up the script – and by the end of night one, the shape of the tournament could already look very different.

(1) Luke Humphries v Nathan Aspinall

(16) Martin Schindler v Krzysztof Ratajski

(8) Chris Dobey v Cameron Menzies

(9) Rob Cross v Wessel Nijman

(4) Stephen Bunting v Niko Springer

(13) Danny Noppert v Jermaine Wattimena

(5) James Wade v Joe Cullen

(12) Gary Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld

(2) Luke Littler v Gian van Veen

(15) Peter Wright v Mike De Decker

(7) Gerwyn Price v Ryan Searle

(10) Josh Rock v Ryan Joyce

(3) Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode

(14) Ross Smith v Daryl Gurney

(6) Jonny Clayton v Andrew Gilding

(11) Damon Heta v Luke Woodhouse