The 2025 Gambrinus Czech Darts Open, held at Prague’s PVA Expo from September 5 to 7, delivered a thrilling spectacle as world number one Luke Humphries successfully defended his title, cementing his dominance at this electrifying European Tour event. The tournament, the eleventh of fourteen on the 2025 PDC Pro Tour, showcased a star-studded field of 48 players vying for a £175,000 prize pool, with £30,000 awarded to the victor. Humphries, known as “Cool Hand Luke,” emerged triumphant, defeating Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock 8-5 in a gripping final, marking his third Czech Darts Open title in four years and his eighth European Tour crown overall. The event was not without its surprises, as young phenom Luke Littler fell to Dutch rising star Gian van Veen in a third-round upset that sent shockwaves through the darts community.
Humphries’ journey to the final was a testament to his resilience and skill. After a three-week break following the World Series doubleheader in Australia and New Zealand, the 30-year-old returned to Prague with a point to prove. His campaign began with a hard-fought 6-4 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode in the second round, a match he admitted was not his finest. “I didn’t play great, I’m not used to those performances, but they seem to be happening a lot more recently,” Humphries reflected, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining peak form. He found his rhythm in the third round, dispatching Martin Schindler 6-3, and narrowly survived a deciding leg against Wessel Nijman in the quarter-finals. His semi-final clash against James Wade was a masterclass, as he cruised to a 7-1 victory, setting the stage for his showdown with Rock.
The final against Rock was a rollercoaster. Rock, who had toppled Michael van Gerwen in the third round and Gian van Veen in the semi-finals, surged to a 2-0 lead with an early break of throw. Humphries responded with characteristic composure, leveling the score at 3-3 with a 12-dart leg. The pair traded blows until 5-5, but Humphries seized control, reeling off three consecutive legs to clinch the £30,000 prize. Despite a modest three-dart average of 93.89 compared to Rock’s 94.1, Humphries’ superior checkout percentage (34.8% versus 26.3%) proved decisive. “If it were up to me, I’d have all 14 European Tours held here. You don’t win three times in the same place by accident and it’s clearly special to me,” Humphries said, highlighting his affinity for Prague. He also opened up about his recent struggles: “Since winning the Premier League, the past three months have been tough. I’ve struggled at times, and I felt like I dragged Josh down at the start of the game. But I never give in – I always try to find a way.”
The tournament’s biggest shock came when 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler, fresh off his Flanders Darts Trophy triumph, was ousted in the third round by Gian van Veen. Littler, who had dominated Cameron Menzies 6-2 in the second round, faced a formidable opponent in Van Veen, who secured a 6-4 victory in a rematch of the 2023 World Youth Championship final. “I started off well, I thought Cammy was going to get into it but I’m just happy to get over the line,” Littler said after his Menzies win, expressing optimism about his Prague return. However, Van Veen, who went on to whitewash Gerwyn Price 6-0 in the quarter-finals, proved too strong. “We always have a brilliant game. I think we’re both playing our best at the minute,” Littler noted of his rivalry with Van Veen, who ultimately fell 7-3 to Rock in the semi-finals.
Other notable performances included Michael van Gerwen’s scintillating 112.73 average in a 6-0 rout of Mike De Decker, only to be undone by Rock in the third round. “It’s been hard for me the last year or so, my confidence level hasn’t been great but if I keep working hard I can keep producing performances like this,” Van Gerwen said after his De Decker win. James Wade also shone, averaging 107.71 in a 6-3 victory over Nathan Aspinall, while Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price delivered strong showings before falling short. The tournament underscored the depth of talent on the European Tour, with emerging stars like Van Veen and Rock challenging established names. As Humphries celebrated his victory, the darts world now turns its attention to the upcoming World Series of Darts Finals, where Littler will defend his title, and Humphries aims to build on his Prague triumph.
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