As the crisp autumn air settles over Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, the darts world is buzzing with anticipation for one of the sport’s most unforgiving spectacles: the BoyleSports World Grand Prix. Kicking off on October 6 and running through to the grand finale on October 12, this 32-player showdown isn’t just another tournament—it’s a grueling test of precision, patience, and psychological warfare, all played under the unique “double in, double out” rules. Every leg demands a double to start and finish, turning the standard 501 into a high-stakes chess match where one missed dart can unravel a player’s hopes. Last year, underdog Mike De Decker stunned the field by dethroning the favorite in the final, proving that in this format, form and fortune collide in spectacular fashion. But with the 2025 edition upon us, all eyes are on three titans—teen sensation Luke Littler, world number one Luke Humphries, and the evergreen Jonny Clayton—who could very well etch their names into the trophy once more.
Picture the scene: floodlights piercing the arena’s haze, the electric hum of 3,000 fans chanting for their heroes, and the thud of darts hitting the board like thunderclaps. The World Grand Prix has long been a proving ground for the elite, rewarding those who can master the double-start quirk. It’s a format that favors the unflappable, where heavy scoring takes a backseat to surgical finishing. Phil Taylor, the legendary “Power,” once advised young players to target the double top religiously, a tip that echoes through the corridors of darts lore. This year, with a prize pot exceeding £500,000 and the winner pocketing £120,000, the pressure is dialed up to eleven. The draw, revealed just days ago, has thrown up a cauldron of mouthwatering clashes, ensuring no one coasts to victory.
At the forefront stands Luke Humphries, the 2023 champion whose silky smooth game has propelled him to the pinnacle of the rankings. Fresh off a blistering run on the ProTour, where he’s been averaging north of 100 consistently, Humphries enters as the man to beat. His upward trajectory is nothing short of mesmerizing—think of his composed demolition of rivals in recent floor tournaments, blending raw power with ice-cool nerves. “You want to be going into October in the form of your life with all the big titles to come,” says Glen Durrant, the 2019 semi-finalist turned pundit, capturing the sentiment perfectly. Yet, Humphries’ path is no cakewalk. He opens against Nathan Aspinall, the 2022 runner-up whose explosive scoring could light up the board. It’s a heavyweight bout that could set the tone for the entire week: Humphries’ methodical precision versus Aspinall’s all-out aggression. Having lost to De Decker in last year’s decider, Humphries is hungry for redemption, his work ethic legendary even among peers. If he navigates this minefield—and the loaded bottom half of the draw—he’s the frontrunner to lift the Eric Bristow Trophy for a second time.
Then there’s Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy whose meteoric rise has rewritten the sport’s script. World Champion and a household name before he could legally buy a pint, Littler brings a flair that’s equal parts genius and gamble. His preparation is unconventional—video games one day, laser-focused practice the next—but when the lights go on, he delivers. Just look at his Matchplay heroics, where he dismantled veterans with averages that bordered on the absurd. The double-start format suits his pinpoint accuracy on the outer ring, but his opening assignment is a curveball: Gian van Veen, the 23-year-old Dutch sensation and World Youth Champion. Van Veen has already toppled Littler twice on the European Tour this year, adding a layer of intrigue to what pundits are calling one of the round’s most volatile ties. “He could be in trouble,” whispers the chatter among insiders, pointing to the draw’s ruthlessness. Still, Littler’s motivation is a wildcard; when he’s locked in, as he was during his Premier League triumphs, no one touches him. A deep run here could cement his status as the heir apparent, especially with heavyweights like Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock lurking in his quarter.
Lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce, is Jonny Clayton—the quiet assassin from Wales whose understated menace makes him a perennial threat. The 2021 World Grand Prix kingpin is riding a wave of form that’s as consistent as it is lethal, with recent ProTour showings showcasing his unerring doubles touch. Clayton’s game thrives in this format; his ability to grind out legs under pressure is the stuff of nightmares for opponents. “Us Welsh boys, we’re going to stop them,” he declared earlier this year, firing a shot across the bows of the English duo dominating the headlines—Littler and Humphries. It’s a bold vow from a player who’s no stranger to glory, having also claimed the World Matchplay crown. His first-round foe is Andrew Gilding, a solid operator but one who’ll need to elevate to derail the Kiwi. Clayton’s half of the draw looks navigable on paper, but with Damon Heta and Ryan Joyce capable of upsets, nothing’s guaranteed. What sets Clayton apart is his mental fortitude; in a tournament where fatigue sets in by the semi-finals—best-of-31 legs in the later stages—he’s the type to peak when others fade.
Of course, no preview would be complete without nodding to the broader field, a tapestry of veterans and young guns vying for immortality. Six-time winner Michael van Gerwen, fresh from ending a title drought at the World Series Finals, faces countryman Dirk van Duijvenbode in an all-Dutch opener that’s dripping with tension. MvG’s swagger is back, his family life reportedly fueling a renewed fire. Over in the top half, Stephen Bunting and James Wade represent grizzled experience—Wade, a two-time champ from the early 2010s, has staged a remarkable resurgence this season, his longevity a testament to darts’ enduring appeal. Then there’s the nostalgia factor: Gary Anderson, the Flying Scot pushing 55, squares off against Raymond van Barneveld in a clash of icons, both former finalists hungry for one last hurrah. Defending champ De Decker, meanwhile, meets Peter Wright in a bid for back-to-back glory, his underdog story from 2024 still fresh in fans’ minds.
The schedule ramps up the drama: Eight first-round thrillers on Monday and Tuesday, followed by second-round fireworks midweek, quarters on Friday, semis Saturday, and the ultimate showdown Sunday evening. It’s a rhythm that builds like a symphony, each match a movement toward crescendo. For neutrals, the beauty lies in the unpredictability—the double-in rule levels the playing field, turning aces into also-rans overnight.
So, who walks away with the spoils? Humphries’ form screams destiny, Littler’s talent begs for a breakthrough, and Clayton’s pedigree whispers upset. In a sport where legends are made on the oche’s edge, the World Grand Prix promises to deliver another chapter of darting delirium. Tune in, grab your pint, and let the doubles decide. One thing’s certain: by October 12, we’ll have a new—or returning—hero to hail.
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