The 2025 Czech Darts Open, set to electrify Prague’s PVA EXPO from September 5-7, promises to be a dazzling spectacle as the PDC European Tour’s 11th stop brings together nearly all of darts’ biggest names. With a £175,000 prize fund and a £30,000 top prize at stake, the tournament is poised for high drama, but the absence of two-time world champion Gary Anderson, the only confirmed withdrawal, has cast a slight shadow over an otherwise stacked field. As defending champion Luke Humphries, teenage sensation Luke Littler, and Michael van Gerwen prepare to battle, fans are gearing up for a weekend of jaw-dropping throws and intense rivalries in the Czech capital.
Anderson, known as ‘The Flying Scotsman,’ has opted out of the Prague event, continuing his selective approach to the European Tour. The 54-year-old Scot, who won back-to-back European Darts Grand Prix titles in 2024 and 2025, has a history of skipping Euro Tour events, having missed nine in 2024 alone after securing his spot at the European Championship. “I’m getting old, I’ve got a young family, travelling, I can’t do it,” Anderson said, explaining his decision to prioritize family and manage his schedule. His absence opens the door for a reserve player, potentially Madars Razma or Florian Hempel, to step into the 48-player field, adding an element of unpredictability.
The tournament’s structure is designed for relentless action. On Friday, September 5, the first round features 16 Order of Merit qualifiers and winners from qualifying tournaments, with sessions from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM BST. Saturday sees the top-16 seeds, including Humphries, Littler, and van Gerwen, enter in the second round, facing Friday’s victors. Sunday’s denouement includes the third round, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a best-of-15-legs final, wrapping up at 11:00 PM. Fans can watch live on Viaplay, DAZN, or PDC TV, with real-time scores on Flashscore.com.
Littler, the 18-year-old world champion, is the outright favorite after a scintillating 2025, including wins at the World Matchplay and Flanders Darts Trophy. “I expect Littler alongside Josh Rock again to show their form and earmark themselves for good form,” predicted editor Pieter Verbeek, highlighting Littler’s unstoppable momentum. His 2024 Czech Darts Open performance, with a record-breaking 110.43 average against Nathan Aspinall, underscores his dominance. Humphries, who stormed to an 8-1 victory over Kim Huybrechts in the 2024 final, remains a formidable force. “When I beat Gian [van Veen], I felt that spark again,” Humphries said, hinting at his hunger to defend his title.
The field is brimming with talent. Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, is joined by Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, and Josh Rock, who pushed Littler to a last-leg decider in Antwerp. Nathan Aspinall, fresh after a month off, is a dark horse, while Raymond van Barneveld and Dave Chisnall add veteran flair. “I fully expect the two best players in the world to set the tone,” said analyst Mats Leering, naming Littler and Humphries as frontrunners, with Rock close behind. The prize structure rewards success handsomely: £12,000 for the runner-up, £8,500 for semi-finalists, £6,000 for quarter-finalists, £4,000 for third-round losers, £2,500 for second-round exits, and £1,250 for first-round departures. For seeds, prize money counts toward rankings only if they win their opening match.
Prague’s passionate crowd will amplify the stakes, especially for local hopes like Pavel Drtil, who stunned Josh Rock in 2024. With Anderson’s withdrawal, the spotlight shifts to the remaining stars, particularly Littler, whose marketability and precision have elevated darts’ global appeal. “I haven’t got anything planned really because there is a lot of darts around this time,” Littler said, reflecting his focus ahead of his 18th birthday. As the Czech Darts Open unfolds, it’s poised to deliver a thrilling chapter in the 2025 season, with Littler and Humphries leading the charge for glory.
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