World Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying Race Update: Van Barneveld on the back foot with cut off in sight

The battle for a ticket to the BoyleSports World Grand Prix 2025 approaches its climax this weekend in Basel, where the Swiss Darts Trophy sets the stage for the final tournament in the qualifying race.

From September 26 to 28, the penultimate tournament of the European Tour will be completed at the St. Jakobshalle. In a field of 48 players, not only a top prize of £30,000 awaits, but above all the very last chance to secure entry to the prestigious tournament in Leicester. The World Grand Prix will be played from October 6 to 12 at the Mattioli Arena and can be followed live on Sky Sports and the PDC's international partners.

The top 16 on the PDC Order of Merit directly secures a spot in Leicester and is joined by the best 16 players in the ProTour rankings over the past 12 months.

World number one Luke Humphries leads the field of competitors, aiming for a repeat of his success in 2023. Reigning world champion Luke Littler is also in the mix, as are six-time World Grand Prix winner Michael van Gerwen, fourth-seeded Stephen Bunting and two-time champion James Wade. Former winners Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price are also sure of their places, as is two-time world champion Gary Anderson.

German Martin Schindler leads the list of sixteen ProTour qualifiers, which also includes reigning World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker. Youth World Champion Gian van Veen is one of several Dutch assets, in addition to Dirk van Duijvenbode, Jermaine Wattimena and debutant Wessel Nijman, who are all already assured of participation.

Also on the entry list is Daryl Gurney - the 2017 winner who captured the World Cup just this year - along with 2022 runner-up Nathan Aspinall and German newcomer Niko Springer. Springer jumped into the top 32 thanks to his victory at last weekend's Hungarian Darts Trophy, leaving Krzysztof Ratajski currently occupying the last provisional spot in the 32-man field.

William O'Connor and two-time finalist Raymond van Barneveld follow a few thousand pounds from Ratajski. Niels Zonneveld and Ricardo Pietreczko also still cherish a glimmer of hope for qualification.