The Zenith in Munich transforms into a darting coliseum this Easter weekend, April 19-21, 2025, as the German Darts Grand Prix, the fourth stop on the PDC European Tour, ignites with a star-studded field. Leading the charge are world champion Luke Littler, three-time event winner Michael van Gerwen, and former world champion Gerwyn Price, each poised to battle for the £30,000 top prize from a £175,000 prize pot. “Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy,” Littler said after his recent World Championship triumph, a sentiment that echoes as he aims to add another title to his burgeoning legacy. With defending champion Luke Humphries and notables like Nathan Aspinall and Dimitri Van den Bergh absent, the stage is set for a fierce contest where new heroes could emerge.
The tournament, a staple of the Easter darts calendar, kicks off Saturday with 16 first-round matches featuring qualifiers and ProTour players. As top seeds, Littler, Van Gerwen, and Price enter directly into the second round on Sunday, April 20, benefiting from their elite status in the PDC Order of Merit. Littler, the No. 1 seed dubbed “The Nuke,” faces the winner of Luke Woodhouse versus Cameron Crabtree, a matchup that promises to test his blistering form. “I keep saying it, but that first game… really matters, and throughout I’ve just settled,” Littler reflected, hinting at the focus that has propelled him to 10 PDC titles in 2024. Van Gerwen, a Dutch maestro with victories in 2017, 2018, and 2019, meets either Kim Huybrechts or Finn Behrens, while Price, known for his fiery competitiveness, could face a blockbuster clash with Raymond van Barneveld, provided the five-time world champion overcomes Michael Rosenauer.
The German Darts Grand Prix unfolds in a leg format: best-of-11 legs through the quarter-finals, best-of-13 in the semi-finals, and best-of-15 in the final, demanding precision and stamina. Littler and Van Gerwen, the top two seeds, are on a collision course for a potential final, a tantalizing prospect just days before their Premier League quarter-final in Liverpool. “It’s probably one of my best performances in a long time,” Van Gerwen said after a recent high-octane World Championship match, signaling his hunger to reclaim Munich’s crown. Price, meanwhile, brings momentum from his Premier League night six victory over Littler, where he declared, “He’s the best player in the world at the minute… but I wanted to get another win over Luke just to keep on top of him.”
This year’s field is bolstered by nine Dutch players, including Danny Noppert, who faces the winner of Madars Razma versus Robert Grundy, and three Belgians, adding international flair. Replacements like Razma, Huybrechts, and Mensur Suljovic stepped in for Humphries, Aspinall, and Van den Bergh, while Michael Smith, Ryan Searle, and Joe Cullen ascended to seeded positions. The absence of Humphries, who dominated Van Gerwen 8-1 in the 2024 final, opens the door for a new champion, though Van Gerwen’s history—three titles in Mannheim and Munich—makes him a formidable contender. “I love the German crowds,” Price said, echoing the electric atmosphere that fuels players at the Zenith.
The tournament’s history adds depth to the drama. Since its inception in 2017, it has seen Van Gerwen’s early dominance, Humphries’ triumphs in 2022 and 2024, and Michael Smith’s 2023 victory. The move to Munich in 2018 elevated its prestige, and despite cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, it remains a fan favorite. For Littler, the European Tour is familiar territory; he retained the Belgian Darts Open earlier this season, while Stephen Bunting and Aspinall claimed other events. “He’s done wonders for this sport,” Price said of Littler, acknowledging the 18-year-old’s role in elevating darts’ global appeal.
Monday, April 21, brings the climax, with the third round, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final packed into a thrilling day. The German crowd, known for its raucous energy, will amplify the stakes, especially for local hopes like Martin Schindler, who seeks to emulate his 2024 International Darts Open success. For fans, the tournament is a showcase of darts’ new era, with Littler’s youthful brilliance clashing against Van Gerwen’s experience and Price’s tenacity. As the oche heats up, Munich braces for a weekend where every dart could rewrite the sport’s hierarchy, crowning a champion who dares to seize the moment.