From October 6–12, the World Grand Prix 2025 returns to Leicester’s Mattioli Arena for a week of high-wire darts unlike anything else on the calendar.
World Grand Prix 2025: Your complete guide to darts’ double-in drama
From October 6–12, the World Grand Prix 2025 returns to Leicester’s Mattioli Arena for a week of high-wire darts unlike anything else on the calendar.
World Grand Prix 2025
This is the only PDC major with the notorious “double in, double out” rule, turning every leg into a nerve test and every favourite into a potential fall guy. Below you’ll find the tournament’s history, format, qualification, venue and prize fund — plus a player-by-player preview of all 32 contenders. Bookmark this if you love World Grand Prix 2025.
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Why the World Grand Prix 2025 is special 🏆
First staged in 1998, the World Grand Prix has produced dynasties and shocks in equal measure. Phil Taylor lifted the trophy a record 11 times, while Michael van Gerwen has six titles and a long highlight reel in this event. Set play + double-start makes it gloriously volatile: Brendan Dolan’s historic double-in 9-darter (2011) still echoes, and upsets arrive annually because even elites can stall on starting doubles.
Recent chapters underline its unpredictability: Luke Humphries won in 2023; in 2024, Belgian Mike De Decker stunned the field and beat Humphries 6–4 in the final to claim his first TV major. World Grand Prix 2025 feels wide open again — exactly how this tournament likes it.
Format, qualification, venue & prize fund 🎯
Format: Set play with the unique double in, double out rule. Each set is best of five legs; matches lengthen each round (final best of 11 sets). You must hit a double (or bull) to begin scoring in every leg — and finish on a double to win it.
Qualification: 32 players. The top 16 on the PDC Order of Merit are seeded. They’re joined by the top 16 from the Pro Tour Order of Merit who aren’t already qualified.
Venue & dates: Mattioli Arena, Leicester — October 6–12, 2025.
Prize fund: £600,000 total; winner’s share £120,000.
The Tipsters' three favourites 🏅
- Luke Littler — The sport’s teenage phenom has turned 2025 into a trophy spree and now hunts his first World Grand Prix crown. If he tames the double-start, he’s the man to beat. Odds: +310
- Michael van Gerwen — Six-time champion, born for this format. The Mattioli stage brings out MVG’s menace; if the engine purrs, he can steamroll anyone. Odds: +1000
- Josh Rock — Ferocious scorer with sky-high ceiling. If Rock translates floor dominance to set play here, a maiden TV major could arrive this week. Odds: +1000
The Tipsters' outsiders to watch 🎲
- Gian van Veen — Red-hot on the Pro Tour, fearless, and already slaying big names. Debutant status won’t faze him. Odds: +2500
- Martin Schindler — Germany’s standard-bearer. Improved finishing and calm temperament suit double-in pressure. Odds: + 5500
- Nathan Aspinall — A proven big-stage closer (Matchplay champ, Grand Prix finalist in 2022) who thrives as underdog in set play. Odds: +3500
All odds courtesy by Coolbet
Seeded players — PDC Order of Merit (1–16) 🔢
1) Luke Humphries (England)
Merits: World No.1; World Grand Prix champion 2023; multiple TV titles. Form: Big-stage consistency, deep runs all season. Style: Smooth rhythm, elite 60 scoring, clinical D20/D16. Key to WGP 2025: Own the starts — early holds in short sets stop ambushes.
2) Luke Littler (England)
Merits: 2025 World Champion; 2025 World Matchplay winner; multiple majors in a breakout year. Form: Blistering. Style: Fearless power scoring, unshakeable timing. Key: Settle the double-start quickly; once in, his scoring gap is decisive.
3) Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
Merits: Three-time World Champion; six World Grand Prix titles. Form: Spikes remain devastating. Style: Aggressive pace, heavy scoring, intimidation factor. Key: First-dart starts on D18/D12 to maintain flow.
4) Stephen Bunting (England)
Merits: BDO World Champion 2014; Euro Tour winner; multiple TV semis. Form: Resurgent over the season. Style: Clean, compact release. Key: Transfer floor form to TV; double starts dictate his ceiling here.
5) James Wade (England)
Merits: Two-time World Grand Prix champion (2007, 2010); nine+ TV titles. Form: Competitive, big-match nous intact. Style: Metronomic finishing, unmatched matchcraft. Key: D10/D12 mastery turns scrappy sets into wins.
6) Jonny Clayton (Wales)
Merits: World Grand Prix champion 2021; Premier League winner. Form: Trending up after a steadier stretch. Style: Unflappable stage presence. Key: Secure early doubles; set play favours his calm.
7) Gerwyn Price (Wales)
Merits: World Champion 2021; World Grand Prix winner 2020. Form: Flashes of top gear. Style: High-octane intensity, heavy 140s. Key: Channel emotion; fast starts prevent grindy deciders.
8) Chris Dobey (England)
Merits: Masters champion 2023. Form: Mixed; peaks are dangerous. Style: High-ceiling scorer. Key: Convert on first-visit doubles to free his natural tempo.
9) Rob Cross (England)
Merits: World Champion 2018; Matchplay 2019; European Champion 2021. Form: Solid base level. Style: Methodical, composed. Key: Impose control in short sets; avoid chase mode.
10) Josh Rock (Northern Ireland)
Merits: Multi-title floor winner; TV breakthroughs. Form: Rising. Style: Relentless T20 assault. Key: Start doubles early to unleash scoring surges.
11) Damon Heta (Australia)
Merits: World Cup winner 2022; multiple Players Championships. Form: Dependable. Style: Measured, pragmatic. Key: Set-by-set patience — he’s built for attrition if starts land.
12) Gary Anderson (Scotland)
Merits: Two-time World Champion (2015, 2016); Premier League x2. Form: Glimpses of vintage class. Style: Silky rhythm, fluent scoring. Key: Early boarding on D18/D12 preserves his tempo.
13) Danny Noppert (Netherlands)
Merits: UK Open champion 2022. Form: Consistent, tough in deciders. Style: Cool, clinical. Key: Close tight sets with trademark D16 composure.
14) Ross Smith (England)
Merits: European Champion 2022. Form: Spiky but dangerous. Style: 180 machine when hot. Key: Avoid stalled starts; double-in stability unlocks his scoring edge.
15) Peter Wright (Scotland)
Merits: Two-time World Champion (2020, 2022); Matchplay 2021. Form: Seeking a surge. Style: Tinkerer with massive upside. Key: Settle equipment early and commit to a starting double.
16) Martin Schindler (Germany)
Merits: First German seeded at the Grand Prix; multiple deep runs on TV. Form: On the up. Style: Compact, low-drama, high percentage. Key: Make the start a weapon; he’s excellent once in.
Pro Tour qualifiers (useeded, 17–32) 🚀
Gian van Veen (Netherlands)
Merits: Pro Tour standout with finals aplenty. Form: Red-hot on the floor. Style: Fearless, fast scoring. Key: Handle TV debut nerves; if the first double lands, look out.
Wessel Nijman (Netherlands)
Merits: Breakout season to qualify. Form: Rising trajectory. Style: Crisp, quick action. Key: Channel momentum, don’t chase; trust first-dart routes.
Cameron Menzies (Scotland)
Merits: Notable wins on floor; TV experience growing. Form: Patchy but dangerous. Style: Emotional spark, big surges. Key: Temper the adrenaline at the oche; focus on a favourite start double.
Nathan Aspinall (England)
Merits: World Matchplay champion 2023; Grand Prix finalist 2022; UK Open champion 2019. Form: Battle-hardened. Style: Clutch finishing, big-moment aura. Key: Thrive in underdog spots; nick early sets and squeeze.
Jermaine Wattimena (Netherlands)
Merits: Grand Prix quarter-finalist 2019. Form: Rejuvenated via Pro Tour. Style: Lightning tempo. Key: Controlled aggression — don’t rush the start double.
Dirk van Duijvenbode (Netherlands)
Merits: Grand Prix finalist 2020; Euro Championship finalist 2022. Form: Streaky yet explosive. Style: Power-heavy, emotional. Key: Harness the fire; early holds keep him in command.
Luke Woodhouse (England)
Merits: TV giant-killing pedigree; nine-darter folklore. Form: Earned this via steadiness. Style: Balanced, no glaring weaknesses. Key: First-visit doubles to settle; then let the scoring flow.
Ryan Searle (England)
Merits: Players Championship Finals runner-up 2021; multiple floor titles. Form: Dangerous when in rhythm. Style: Heavy darts, heavy scoring. Key: Turn set openers into quick holds to unleash the 140s.
Mike De Decker (Belgium)
Merits: Defending World Grand Prix champion (2024). Form: Mixed since the shock title, but knows this stage. Style: Calm tempo, tidy finishing. Key: Re-tap the 2024 formula: no panic on starts, punish misses.
Joe Cullen (England)
Merits: Masters champion 2022; Premier League finalist 2022. Form: Up-and-down. Style: Rhythm player with burst scoring. Key: Commit to routes; confidence snowballs quickly for him.
Ryan Joyce (England)
Merits: World Championship quarter-finalist (2019); Players Championship winner. Form: Quietly effective. Style: Deliberate, methodical. Key: Use pace control to his advantage; make sets attritional.
Niko Springer (Germany)
Merits: Euro Tour title in rookie season; WGP debut. Form: Ascending fast. Style: Quick, fearless scoring. Key: Embrace the moment; keep first-dart discipline on doubles.
Daryl Gurney (Northern Ireland)
Merits: World Grand Prix champion 2017; Players Championship Finals champion 2018. Form: Grinding back. Style: Strong 60-phase, gritty closer. Key: Lean on muscle memory; he knows how to win this event.
Krzysztof Ratajski (Poland)
Merits: Multiple Pro Tour titles; TV quarter-/semi-finals on résumé. Form: Stabilising after dips. Style: Stoic, percentage play. Key: Turn double-start into an ally with icy D16s.
Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)
Merits: Five-time world champion; Grand Prix finalist twice. Form: Veteran savvy still bites. Style: Classic, measured flow. Key: Draw on experience; nick sets with mid-range checkouts.
Andrew Gilding (England)
Merits: UK Open champion 2023; Grand Prix quarter-finalist. Form: Workmanlike but dangerous. Style: Slow, steady, sticky to play. Key: Drag foes into his tempo; suffocate with tidy doubles.
How we see World Grand Prix 2025 playing out 🔭
The intrigue starts immediately: short sets and double-starts reward fast adapters and cool heads. If Luke Littler harmonises with the format, his scoring gap makes him the most likely champion. Michael van Gerwen owns this stage and has the muscle memory to bully sets. Behind them, Josh Rock feels “due” for a TV breakthrough, while live wires like Gian van Veen, Martin Schindler and Nathan Aspinall carry upset energy and realistic deep-run potential.
It’s the World Grand Prix — chaos is a feature, not a bug. Miss a couple of starting doubles and the set is gone; nail them, and the match tilts on a dime. Settle in. The most unpredictable week in darts is about to begin.
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