World Grand Prix 2025: Results, Field, Schedule, Draw, Predictions and Format

The World Grand Prix 2025 will be held from Monday 6th to Sunday 12th October at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the draw, results, tournament format, and predictions.

The tournament line-up features 32 players. Alongside the top 16 in the world rankings, the highest-ranked 16 players from the Pro Tour will also take part in this major event. Mike de Decker returns as the defending champion, having defeated Luke Humphries in the 2024 final.
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World number one Luke Humphries heads the line-up. A new development for this year’s World Grand Prix is that all of the top 16 players in the world rankings are seeded — in previous editions, only the top eight were given seeded status.

Top players such as Michael van Gerwen, Luke Littler, and Gerwyn Price are also among the seeded participants and therefore cannot meet until the later rounds. In the opening round, they will face one of the Pro Tour qualifiers.

The World Grand Prix is a unique tournament on the PDC calendar because it is played according to the double-in double-out principle. This means that players must not only end legs with a double, but also start them with it.

Another special aspect of this event is that it is played in sets. In the first round, there is an ultra-short format of best of 3 sets. This eventually progresses to best of 11 sets for the final.

The World Grand Prix is just around the corner. The unique double-in, double-out format in Leicester has made this tournament one of the most unpredictable majors on the calendar for years. Who knows how to find the doubles best under high stress? We asked editors from Dartsnews.com, Dartsnieuws.com and Dartsnews.de for their predictions.

According to Kieran Wood (Dartsnews.com), no one has shown himself as convincingly in 2025 as Luke Littler. "The teenager bulldozes through the year with a relentlessness that makes him the logical favorite in Leicester. Sure, the double-start format has troubled even the greats at times, but with Littler's scoring power and confidence, you have to be very brave to bet against him."

For Wood, Michael van Gerwen remains the man who always commands respect. "He is a six-time champion and although he is less consistent than in his prime years, the World Grand Prix invariably brings out the best in him. His draw is not the easiest, but history shows that Van Gerwen often rises above himself here."

Behind them, Wood faces a wide group of challengers. Luke Humphries needs to get going right away against Nathan Aspinall, but his recent list of honors makes him life-threatening. Gerwyn Price can always go far with a flying start, while Jonny Clayton is often deadly efficient in this format with his doubles. Stephen Bunting travels with a Basel title in his pocket, and routines Gary Anderson and James Wade can still be dangerous in a good week.

As dark horses, Wood mentions Josh Rock, "ever closer to a breakthrough on TV," Damon Heta, "always good for a stunt," and defending champion Mike De Decker. "He will want to prove that his win last year was not a one-time outlier," Wood said.

*** Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen

** Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting

* Gary Anderson, James Wade, Josh Rock, Damon Heta, Mike De Decker

For Mats Leering (Dartsnieuws.com), Littler is also the top favorite, but he stressed that a leaden route awaits the young Englishman. "His quarter includes Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock. Normally Price and Rock make it to the second round, which means Littler could face one of them in the quarterfinals. But first he has to beat Van Veen - and that is not a certainty, as the Dutchman has hurt him before."

In the quarter below, Leering expects a meeting between Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton. "On paper, that's the logical quarterfinal, and I see Clayton advancing to the semifinals after that."

In the top half of the schedule, Leering tips Luke Humphries as the man to keep an eye on. His opening round match against Aspinall could be crucial. He also predicts a surprise from the Dutch: "I see Wessel Nijman making it to the quarterfinals. If he beats Rob Cross, he can then also go through against Dobey or Menzies."

In the bottom half, Leering sees English darters Stephen Bunting and James Wade meet in the quarterfinals. "A final between Littler and Humphries seems realistic, but the path is far from easy," Leering said.

*** Luke Littler, Luke Humphries

** Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton

* Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, Wessel Nijman, James Wade

Oliver Ried (Dartsnews.com) takes a different tack, as he tips Jonny Clayton as the winner. "His last individual major, nota bene, was the 2021 World Grand Prix. Now he is back in top form, with improved finishes and perfect timing. His draw looks favorable and if he reaches this level on stage, I don't see anyone stopping him."

Still, he remains realistic about the two Lukes. "Humphries is back on level ground after a dip and wants to repeat his 2023 title. Littler is in top form, but his doubles can still falter - a crucial factor in this tournament. Moreover, he meets Gian van Veen in the first round, and he has beaten him three times in a row."

Ried also sees a chasing group including Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting and James Wade. "All three are constant this year. Wade has made two major finals, Price and Bunting have collected several titles, already especially on the floor and the Euro Tour. This is their chance to prove they can also do it on the big stage."

*** Jonny Clayton

** Luke Humphries, Luke Littler

* James Wade, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting

For Nicolas Gayer (Dartsnews.de), the World Grand Prix is all about surprises and this time he tips James Wade as an outsider who can strike. "Maybe Wade can no longer be called a 'surprise,' but his doubles statistics are second to none. If he can combine enough scoring ability with his finishing for a week, he could just take the cup."

Moreover, he points to the German perspective. "Niko Springer is making his debut after a phenomenal first year with Tour Card. For the German fans it is special to see their new hope on this unique stage. How he handles the double-start format is one of the most interesting storylines of this tournament."

*** James Wade

** Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock

* Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, Gian van Veen

Bram Coenen (Dartsnieuws.com) sees the two Lukes in particular rising above the field. "Littler is the clear favorite based on his results, but his draw with Van Veen is treacherous. Moreover, the question remains how he handles this format after his early exit last year."

In addition to Littler, Coenen names Humphries as a top favorite. "He won this tournament in 2023 and was in the final last year. This is his format, with his coolness on the doubles."

He is also looking forward to Nathan Aspinall, who will show up with extra motivation after falling outside the top 20. James Wade he calls a constant factor who can go far again. Michael van Gerwen can also compete for prizes again after a strong performance at the World Series Finals.

Finally, Coenen points to Belgium's hope: Mike De Decker. "His triumph last year came out of nowhere. It will be exciting to see if he can repeat that feat."

*** Luke Littler, Luke Humphries

** James Wade, Stephen Bunting, Michael van Gerwen

* Mike De Decker, Gian van Veen

According to Pieter Verbeek (Dartsnieuws.com), it is now time for the serious work, with an autumn in which the majors follow each other in rapid succession. He points especially to four names that impressed this summer: Luke Littler, Josh Rock, James Wade and Gerwyn Price.

"For me, Littler was the man of the summer," Verbeek said. "After a disappointing spring, he recovered with titles at the World Matchplay, the Flanders Darts Trophy and two World Series tournaments. With that he emphatically put himself back at the top of the favorites list."

Rock also impressed, especially with the final victory at the World Cup of Darts together with Daryl Gurney. "In addition, he reached the semifinals of the World Matchplay and two Euro Tour finals. At the Grand Prix, he never got beyond the first round, but given his current form, that should be able to change this year."

Wade calls Verbeek one of the most consistent players of the season. "After Littler, he is the player with the most prize money at ranking tournaments. He made finals at the UK Open and World Matchplay and four semifinals on the Euro Tour. Moreover, the double-in, double-out format suits him perfectly, even though his last final here dates from 2014."

Price remains an enigma to him. "He has been throwing high averages all year, but fails too often to convert that into results. Still, he is increasingly showing the form to win another major tournament."

Humphries and Van Gerwen he puts forward as outsiders. "Humphries has the class, and Van Gerwen proved with his win at the World Series Finals that he is still dangerous. But the volatility has to disappear to really have a shot at the title here as well."

*** Luke Littler

** Josh Rock, James Wade

* Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price