The 2025 Flanders Darts Trophy, set to ignite the Antwerp Expo in Belgium from August 29-31, marks the triumphant return of Luke “The Nuke” Littler to the PDC European Tour. As the top seed in this electrifying 10th stop of the 14-event series, the 18-year-old reigning world champion is poised to dazzle a fervent Belgian crowd. With a £175,000 prize pool and £30,000 awaiting the winner, Littler’s campaign in Antwerp is one of the most anticipated storylines in darts. Fresh off his back-to-back World Series victories in Australia and New Zealand, where he clinched the New Zealand Darts Masters with a 6-2 rout of Mike De Decker, Littler is riding a wave of momentum. “He seems unstoppable at the moment, winning one title after another,” an analyst observed, capturing the buzz around his relentless scoring prowess.
Littler’s journey begins in the second round on Saturday, August 30, during the evening session at 6:00 p.m. BST (7:00 p.m. local time). As a top-16 seed, he receives a bye from the first round, facing the winner of Friday’s first-round clash between Ireland’s Dylan Slevin and Belgian host nation qualifier Francois Schweyen. Slevin, known for his heavy scoring in bursts, could pose a challenge if he finds his rhythm, but Schweyen, buoyed by home support, adds an element of unpredictability. “Slevin is a player capable of scoring heavily in patches,” noted one observer, though Littler’s recent form—averaging over a ton against De Decker—suggests he’s primed to overpower either opponent. The match, contested over the best of 11 legs, will air live on DAZN and PDCTV, promising fans a front-row seat to Littler’s explosive style.
Should Littler advance, his potential third-round opponent on Sunday afternoon could be Ryan Searle or Raymond van Barneveld, depending on their first- and second-round results. A clash with the legendary “Barney” would be a marquee matchup, pitting Littler’s youthful exuberance against a five-time world champion’s experience. “Deep down, if I want to try and break the record of Phil Taylor’s then I’m sure I’ve got the ability to,” Littler said earlier this year, exuding confidence as he eyes darts immortality. His path to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final— all set for Sunday evening—could see him face heavyweights like Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, or defending champion Dave Chisnall, who won the 2024 title 8-6 over Ricardo Pietreczko.
The Antwerp Xpo, a cauldron of darts passion, hosts a 48-player field, with Littler joined by a star-studded lineup including Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting, and Rob Cross. However, the absence of Luke Humphries, Gary Anderson, and Nathan Aspinall—replaced by Krzysztof Ratajski, Dylan Slevin, and Lukas Wenig—has elevated Littler’s status as the favorite. His 2025 season has been a masterclass, with 10 titles, including the Belgian Darts Open and UK Open. Yet, last year’s third-round exit at this event to Dirk van Duijvenbode serves as a reminder of the European Tour’s unpredictability. “Littler has already collected multiple European Tour titles this year and will once again start as one of the favourites,” a commentator predicted, but the likes of Price, who has beaten Littler in recent Premier League encounters, loom large.
Littler’s schedule aligns with the tournament’s structure: first-round matches on Friday, second round on Saturday, and the final day’s action on Sunday, culminating in the best-of-15-leg final. His preparation has been meticulous, skipping several European events to focus on key tournaments, a strategy that paid dividends in his recent World Series triumphs. Posts on X have hailed his “superb display of scoring,” reflecting the sentiment that Littler is in scintillating form. As he steps onto the oche in Antwerp, the teenager’s blend of raw power, pinpoint accuracy, and unshakable confidence makes him a formidable force. Whether facing Slevin’s potential fireworks or Schweyen’s home-crowd energy, Littler’s quest for the £30,000 prize and another European Tour crown promises to be a thrilling chapter in his meteoric rise.
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