The 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy, set to ignite the Antwerp Expo from August 29–31, marks the tenth stop on the PDC European Tour, promising a weekend of high-stakes darts action. With a field of 48 players vying for a £30,000 top prize from a £175,000 purse, the tournament brings together the sport’s biggest names, including Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price, all navigating a treacherous draw in pursuit of European Tour glory. The electric atmosphere of last year’s inaugural event, which saw 287 maximum 180s and a thrilling victory by Dave Chisnall over Ricardo Pietreczko, sets the stage for another unforgettable showdown in Belgium.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old world champion, returns to the European Tour after skipping several events, including those in Germany, due to a frosty reception earlier in 2025. His last outing in Belgium saw him clinch the Belgian Darts Open, but a third-round exit to Dirk van Duijvenbode at last year’s Flanders Darts Trophy serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead. Littler, the world number two, faces Jermaine Wattimena or Brian Raman in the second round, a matchup that could test his scoring prowess. “Luke Littler is the top favourite. He seems unstoppable at the moment, winning one title after another,” analysts have noted, citing his 108 average against Price in New Zealand. Yet, his path could lead to a quarter-final clash with Damon Heta or Jonny Clayton, both capable of derailing his campaign.
Michael van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, is also under scrutiny after an inconsistent summer. The Dutchman, who claimed the German Darts Grand Prix earlier this year, faces Gabriel Clemens or Martin Lukeman in the second round, a potential rematch with Clemens, who stunned him 6-4 in 2024 with a 107.27 average. “Michael is the best player in the world – he is a legend!” Clemens said after that victory, but Van Gerwen’s hunger for a first ranking title since April makes him a dangerous contender. “When at full flight, MVG is still at his very best,” observers say, though his recent form suggests vulnerability against a resurgent opponent like Clemens.
Gerwyn Price, despite a hand injury that sent him to the hospital, is a wildcard in Antwerp. The Welshman, seeded 11th, faces Luke Woodhouse or Luc Bogaert in the second round, a match complicated by his uncertain physical condition. “I’m feeling very confident,” Price said earlier this season, but his recent 6-5 loss to Woodhouse in 2024’s Flanders Darts Trophy underscores the threat of an upset. “Gerwyn Price posted this week that he was at the hospital with a hand issue, so we will see if he has to withdraw,” analysts cautioned, noting that even if he plays, his grip could falter in the best-of-11 format.
The draw also features world number one Luke Humphries, who takes on Daryl Gurney or Ritchie Edhouse, and Stephen Bunting, who faces Marko Kantele or Scott Williams. Josh Rock, a rising star, opens against Jitse Van der Wal or Sebastian Bialecki, with analysts predicting a deep run. “Josh Rock is throwing very strongly and could easily cause an upset,” experts say, while Martin Schindler, dubbed the “European Tour king,” battles Brendan Dolan or Peter Wright. Local hope Mike De Decker, the only Belgian guaranteed a spot, faces Ross Smith, with four more Belgians vying for qualification on August 28.
The tournament unfolds over three days, with the first round on Friday, August 29, featuring Pro Tour and qualifier matchups. Saturday’s second round introduces the top 16 seeds, followed by Sunday’s third round, quarter-finals, semi-finals (best of 13 legs), and final (best of 15 legs). Chisnall, the defending champion, meets Cameron Menzies or James Wade, aiming to replicate his 2024 heroics. “I’m really happy, it means a lot to me to win this,” Chisnall said after his 100th European Tour event, a milestone he hopes to build on.
With a vibrant Belgian crowd and a stacked field, the Flanders Darts Trophy is poised for drama. Littler’s dominance, Van Gerwen’s redemption bid, and Price’s injury battle set the stage for an unpredictable weekend, where veterans like Gary Anderson and young guns like Gian van Veen could steal the spotlight. Broadcast on PDC TV, with afternoon sessions at 12 p.m. and evening sessions at 6 p.m., Antwerp is ready to erupt as darts’ elite chase glory.
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