The 2025 Gambrinus Czech Darts Open, unfolding at Prague’s PVA Expo from September 5 to 7, is poised to deliver another electrifying chapter in the meteoric rise of darts prodigy Luke Littler. Fresh off a thrilling victory at the Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp, the 18-year-old sensation, nicknamed “The Nuke,” is the undisputed favorite to claim the £30,000 top prize in this, the 11th stop on the PDC European Tour. On Day 2, Saturday, September 6, Littler steps onto the oche for a highly anticipated second-round clash, setting the stage for what could be another dominant performance in a season already brimming with accolades.
Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion and current world No. 2, bypasses the first round as a seeded player, a perk earned through his stellar performances throughout 2025. His second-round opponent will be either Ian White or Cameron Menzies, determined by the outcome of their first-round match on Friday. The showdown is scheduled for approximately 9:30 p.m. local time in Prague (8:30 p.m. BST, 3:30 p.m. EST), promising a primetime spectacle for darts fans worldwide. “The Nuke is back in action again this weekend,” commentators have noted, capturing the excitement surrounding Littler’s return to the European Tour stage.
The young Englishman’s 2025 campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. After clinching the PDC World Championship in January at just 17 years and 347 days—shattering records as the youngest world champion in darts history—Littler followed up with victories at the UK Open, World Matchplay, Australian Darts Masters, and New Zealand Darts Masters. His recent triumph in Antwerp, where he edged out Josh Rock in a dramatic 8-7 final, marked his fourth European Tour title, bringing his career total to 17 PDC titles. Yet, despite this remarkable run, Littler remains grounded, aware of the challenges ahead. “It’s been a busy year, but the past couple of months have displayed how brilliant he is,” analysts have observed, pointing to his ability to rebound from a mid-season dip and cement his status as a generational talent.
Littler’s path to the final on Sunday is fraught with formidable opponents. A victory against either White or Menzies would set up a potential third-round clash with the winner of Danny Noppert’s match, adding intrigue to his tournament journey. The Prague event, with its £175,000 prize fund, attracts the sport’s elite, including world No. 1 Luke Humphries, who defends his 2024 Czech Darts Open title, and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen, both of whom face tough second-round matchups. Humphries takes on either Dirk van Duijvenbode or Cor Dekker, while van Gerwen meets Mike De Decker or Ritchie Edhouse, both 2024 major winners. “If Stephen Bunting can take care of business, he should expect at least a quarterfinal round appearance,” pundits have speculated, highlighting the depth of talent in the 48-player field.
The Czech Darts Open’s format, spanning three intense days, sees 16 first-round matches on Friday, with winners advancing to face the 32 seeded players on Saturday. Sunday features the third round, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, all broadcast live on Viaplay, PDCTV, and DAZN in select regions. Littler’s recent form, including a tournament-record 110.43 average against Nathan Aspinall in last year’s event, suggests he could again light up the scoreboard. “I’m happy with that,” Littler remarked after that performance, a sentiment he’ll aim to echo in Prague.
Despite his dominance, Littler faces pressure to maintain his edge in a field brimming with ambition. Josh Rock, who pushed him to the limit in Antwerp, and other unseeded players like Wessel Nijman and Niko Springer could pose upset threats. Humphries, meanwhile, is eager to reassert his authority after an early exit in Belgium, while van Gerwen battles personal and professional challenges. “Michael van Gerwen had an early exit last week and might face the same scenario,” observers have noted, underscoring the unpredictability of the tournament.
For Littler, the Czech Darts Open is another opportunity to close the gap on Humphries in the world rankings and solidify his claim as the sport’s brightest star. His journey in Prague, starting with Saturday’s evening session, is a must-watch for fans, with “The Nuke” poised to deliver more jaw-dropping moments. As the darts world converges on the Czech capital, all eyes are on Littler to see if he can continue his relentless march toward darts immortality.
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