PREVIEW Dutch Darts Masters 2025: Who will take World Series of Darts glory in Den Bosch?
PDC
The second event of the 2025 World Series of Darts takes us to the Maaspoort Den Bosch in the Netherlands for the 2025 TOTO Dutch Darts Masters. The tournament will run from 24 to 25 January, featuring a £100,000 prize fund, with the winner set to take home £30,000 and the prestigious Toon Greebe Trophy.
This marks the third edition of the Dutch Darts Masters, with Dimitri Van den Bergh and Michael van Gerwen having claimed the title in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Stephen Bunting, fresh off his Bahrain Darts Masters triumph last week, will be looking to continue his strong form but will be up against a stacked field that includes the world champion and the world number one. Let’s dive in and take a closer a look at who’s in action this weekend.
What happened last year?
The 2024 Dutch Darts Masters delivered a brilliant show as Michael van Gerwen clinched his first title at the event, defeating Luke Littler 8-6 in a thrilling final. Van Gerwen showed his trademark composure and experience, fighting back from an early deficit to claim the victory. Littler, just 17 at the time, had the crowd buzzing with his electric performances throughout the tournament but could not beat MvG on the night.
In the final, Littler displayed the confidence and precision beyond his years that we have become accustom to over the last 13 months or so. However, van Gerwen responded with his characteristic grit, clawing his way back into the match with his scoring and showed Littler who was boss in home soil. With the crowd on his side, the Dutch legend eventually overpowered Littler, sealing the title with an 8-6 victory and marking a significant high point in his ultimately disappointing 2024 campaign.
Now, in 2025, van Gerwen returns as the defending champion, while Littler, fresh from an extraordinary year, seeks to add another title to his growing trophy cabinet.
2025 Dutch Darts Masters Draw
Stephen Bunting
Stephen Bunting, the 2024 Masters champion, had the best year of his career last season. Fresh off his Bahrain Darts Masters victory last weekend, the 39-year-old will be full of confidence heading into the Dutch Darts Masters. Bunting’s has deservedly been called up for the Premier League of Darts this year, and his consistency throughout the 2024 season cemented his status as one of the best players on the tour. Having beaten Gerwyn Price in last week’s final, Bunting will be aiming to keep his winning momentum alive in Den Bosch and he begins his campaign against world ranked number 27 Gian van Veen.
Gerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price enters the Dutch Darts Masters looking to rebound after finishing as runner-up in Bahrain. The 2021 World Champion showed glimpses of his best form last weekend, storming into the final with dominant displays, including a record-breaking 115 average against Luke Littler. Although he fell short against Bunting, Price seems closer to the peak form that made him a formidable force in 2021 and 2022, and the Welshman will be determined to pick up a win this weekend. Price kicks off his weekend in Den Bosch against Danny Noppert.
World number one Luke Humphries will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing exit in Bahrain last week. Humphries, who was knocked out by Bunting in the semi-finals, will want to reaffirm his position at the top of the rankings as despite his undeniable ability, is going through a difficult period for his standards right now. Of course, the 29-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2024 season for the most part, and added multiple titles to his name. Despite his early setback in Bahrain, Humphries remains one of the favourites in Den Bosch, where he’ll aim to show his class once again. The world number one starts his campaign against Jermaine Wattimena.
Luke Littler
Luke Littler, the youngest world champion in darts history, will compete in his first tournament as an 18-year-old. The teenage sensation, fresh from a record-breaking 2024, will be looking to claim his first title of 2025 after missing out in Bahrain. Littler, who stunned the darts world with his performances last year, will undoubtedly be one to watch as he continues to defy expectations.
Littler’s first round match up comes against Dimitri van den Bergh, and the 30 year old who won the World Matchplay title in 2020 could provide a stern test.
Chris Dobey
Chris Dobey arrives at the Dutch Darts Masters following a strong showing in Bahrain, where he reached the quarter-finals before being ousted by Bunting. The 10th-ranked player in the world has been steadily improving and will be aiming to push further in Den Bosch. “Hollywood” has shown in recent months that he can compete with the best, and a strong run here could secure his status as a top contender in 2025.
But one thing Dobey definitely won’t have on his side in the first round is the crowd, as he takes on the legendary Raymond van Barneveld in the first round.
Nathan Aspinall
Nathan Aspinall had an eventful week in Bahrain, both on and off the oche, dealing with a hospital visit after an insect bite but still managing to put in a solid performance. The 2023 World Matchplay champion is ranked 11th in the world and will be looking to make a statement in the Netherlands. Aspinall’s ability and determination are never in doubt, and he’ll be hoping to turn last week’s drama into darts success this week, and he starts out against world number 41 Kevin Doets.
Rob Cross
Rob Cross, the 2018 World Champion, had a tough outing in Bahrain, falling short of his best and he was beaten by Filipino star Paolo Nebrida. However, the 34-year-old is no stranger to bouncing back from difficult matches, and Cross will be keen to put last week behind him and start strong in Den Bosch. Cross’ first round match up comes against Richard Veenstra.
Michael van Gerwen
The defending champion Michael van Gerwen returns to the Dutch Darts Masters as the home favourite. The Dutchman has not played since his loss to Luke Littler in the World Championship final earlier this month, where he relinquished his record as the youngest world champion to the then 17-year-old. Despite the defeat, van Gerwen’s performance at the World Championship was his best we’ve seen in some time despite coming up short, and he’ll be looking to carry that form into 2025. A win here would not only mark a perfect start to his campaign but also set the tone for a year where he hopes to get his hands on a major title once again. MvG begins his tournament against world number 26 Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Read also
Format:
First round – 11 legs
Quarter finals – 11 legs
Semi-finals – 13 legs
Final – 15 legs
Full Draw
Stephen Bunting v Gian van Veen
Chris Dobey v Raymond van Barneveld
Luke Littler v Dimitri van den Bergh
Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets
Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Rob Cross v Richard Veenstra
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- I've commented before,Phil should let us all remember how great he was,and leave your darts in the drawer. Another humiliation will tarnish everything,you couldn't even beat old blokes who you would have beaten before the game started !!rick6712-03-2025
- Aspinall was a no-show: Carl Sneyd steps in from the Challenge Tour.Scoobedybop11-03-2025
- Likewise, I have always been a fan of Mervyn and with this worry on his mind, it explains why his form and ranking plummeted. It is really sad to hear this, often chatted to Mervyn and Tracey during the Lakeside days, both are lovely people. It does seem naive not acknowledging the fact it was earnings, surely there must be others in the same situation. I really hope the Kings can get through this....would a go fund me be permittedrichieburnettrocks11-03-2025
- I always like Merv,but he does he seems slightly naive with his comments. I wish you all the best, hope you can get sorted,and try and get back to a decent game,a bit of money.....and get rid of the dogs,if that's your main concern,I believe your priorities may be slightly wrongrick6710-03-2025
- What’s with the dogs element to this story, trying to pull at the heart strings? Just goes to show that being a good dart player does not equate to being that bright. Seriously, ‘I thought you didn’t have to pay tax on winnings’ , your a pro dart player and its your line of work, your not playing the lottery or placing a bet. I think it was Phil Taylor who said you should put a third to one side of all winnings into a bank account, obviously Merv was wearing his earplugs at the time.Mysstree10-03-2025
- The thing is... the folks who "humiliated" Taylor in the Seniors Events never really achieved anything in the important events - like Taylor did. Taylor had/has nothing to prove... and beating Taylor after he had retired is of zero value. Taylor in his prime would have made easy work of all of them. Cheers.MrYnyslas197107-03-2025
- Taylor was humiliated in the seniors events,so he really has nothing to lose by playing littler. I think he should put his darts away,and let us remember what a great player he wasrick6706-03-2025
- actually, since you're asking... yes. yes i do.colt06-03-2025
- If Wade had done that to Beau or Fallon or another female it would be deservedly claimed as sexual assault. Wade has always been odd and his interviews are so cringe worthy. I have a feeling if you asked Helen Chamberlain she would set alarm bells ringing with her storiesrichieburnettrocks05-03-2025