BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix Darts 2025: The Double Trouble Delight in Leicester
BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix Darts 2025
Update: 09.10.25
World Grand Prix Darts: Humphries and Anderson March On as Bunting Bows Out in Leicester
The Boyle Sports World Grand Prix continues to deliver the drama, the doubles, and the darting despair in equal measure. On a lively night in Leicester, Luke Humphries secured his quarter-final spot after an unpredictable 3–1 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski, while Gary Anderson rolled back the years to produce a vintage display against Joe Cullen. Elsewhere, Danny Noppert sent Stephen Bunting packing, and Scotland’s Cameron Menzies continued his fine form to set up an all-British quarter-final with Humphries.
It was a night that served up a bit of everything – brilliance, missed doubles, and more facial expressions from Humphries than you’d see in a Shakespearean tragedy.
Humphries Overcomes Frustrations to Reach the Last Eight
World number one Luke Humphries made hard work of it but ultimately came through a scrappy affair against Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, taking the match 3–1 to keep his Grand Prix hopes alive. It wasn’t the polished performance fans have come to expect from the reigning champion, but it was effective enough.
Humphries started like a man on a mission, racing through the opening set without fuss. However, as the second set wore on, he began to look less like a top seed and more like someone trying to throw darts wearing oven gloves. Despite missing a handful of doubles, he somehow pinched the set after Ratajski failed to capitalise on his own opportunities.
At two sets up, it looked as if “Cool Hand Luke” was cruising. But this is the World Grand Prix — where double-start chaos reigns supreme — and Ratajski wasn’t done yet. The Polish Eagle clawed his way back, taking the third set and unsettling the top seed with a combination of solid scoring and Humphries’ occasional carelessness on doubles.
That brief wobble proved to be the wake-up call Humphries needed. In the fourth set, he rediscovered his rhythm, firing in a majestic 132 checkout and following it with a 104 finish that reminded everyone why he’s the man to beat in Leicester. By the time he wrapped things up, he’d hit six maximums and averaged 95.58, even if his face suggested he’d just survived a tax audit.
Next up for Humphries is Scotland’s Cameron Menzies, whose unpredictable brilliance saw him topple former world champion Rob Cross earlier in the night.
Menzies Masters Cross in Quirky Thriller
Cameron Menzies can be frustrating, unpredictable, and occasionally chaotic — but dull he most certainly is not. His 3–1 win over Rob Cross had all the hallmarks of a classic Menzies performance: flashes of genius mixed with moments of sheer mayhem.
The Scotsman survived two missed sets of darts in the opening leg before snatching the first in a decider, then breezed through the second set without much fuss. Just as it seemed he might stroll to victory, Cross roared back with a 107 checkout to edge the third set, capitalising on five missed match darts from his opponent.
But Menzies doesn’t do panic. A monstrous 136 finish steadied the ship, and after missing another three match darts (just for suspense, presumably), he finally nailed the ninth attempt to seal victory. It was nervy, messy, and magnificent all at once — in other words, peak Menzies.
His reward is a quarter-final meeting with Humphries, a matchup that promises fireworks, missed doubles, and possibly a few muttered expletives from both camps.
Bunting’s Pain as Noppert Battles Through
Stephen Bunting’s World Grand Prix came to an early end, as the “Bullet” fired blanks against a composed Danny Noppert, who triumphed 3–1 to reach his first quarter-final at the event in four years.
Bunting revealed afterwards that he was struggling with a sore back — a detail that might explain his inconsistent performance — but he still managed to produce flashes of brilliance, including a clean sweep in the third set.
After falling two sets behind, Bunting roared back with a 68 finish and a tidy 125 checkout to force a deciding leg in the fourth. But Noppert, calm and clinical, took out a 100 with a two-dart combo to end the Liverpudlian’s night and secure safe passage to the last eight.
The Dutchman now faces Gary Anderson — a man who, if his form against Joe Cullen is anything to go by, is rolling back the years in spectacular fashion.
Anderson Turns Back the Clock
Gary Anderson has been around long enough to have seen just about everything in darts — but that didn’t stop him from producing one of his sharpest performances in recent memory. The two-time world champion breezed past an out-of-sorts Joe Cullen in straight sets, barely breaking a sweat as he booked his place in yet another major quarter-final.
Cullen, meanwhile, looked like he’d left his throw in the car park. A miserable 68.05 average summed up his night, as he managed just a single leg against the relentless Scotsman. Anderson’s scoring was steady, his finishing ruthless, and his demeanour calm — the kind of old-school masterclass that reminded everyone why he’s still one of the sport’s most respected figures.
The Flying Scotsman has now reached a major ranking quarter-final on the PDC tour for the 17th consecutive calendar year — a statistic that tells you everything about his remarkable longevity.
Thursday Night’s Line-Up: Littler, Price and Clayton Take Centre Stage
The fourth night of action in Leicester promises another blockbuster evening. World number two Luke Littler headlines the session as he faces defending champion Mike De Decker, hoping to build on his sensational first-round display against Gian van Veen — a match in which he averaged an eye-watering 105 and threw finishes that made it look almost unfair.
Gerwyn Price will lock horns with Josh Rock in a mouth-watering clash of power scoring, while 2021 champion Jonny Clayton faces Luke Woodhouse. Opening the evening’s play, Dirk van Duijvenbode takes on Daryl Gurney, with both players desperate to rediscover their best form.
The quarter-finals follow on Friday, the semi-finals on Saturday, and then comes Sunday’s grand finale — best of 11 sets, £120,000 to the winner, and an inevitable mix of euphoria and heartbreak.
Boyle Sports Odds: Littler Leads, Humphries Close Behind
As the action heats up, BOYLE Sports have released their latest outright odds, and there’s little surprise at the top. Young prodigy Luke Littler remains the favourite at 6/4, just ahead of Luke Humphries at 11/4.
Gerwyn Price follows at 9/1, while Josh Rock is priced at 10/1. The ever-dangerous Gary Anderson sits at 11/1, just ahead of Jonny Clayton (12/1) and Danny Noppert (14/1). Outsiders Dirk van Duijvenbode and Cameron Menzies are both 28/1, with Daryl Gurney at 40/1, Mike De Decker at 50/1, and Luke Woodhouse the longest shot at 80/1.
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Final Thoughts
As we edge closer to the business end of the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix, the storylines are stacking up nicely. Humphries and Anderson look in menacing form, Menzies is quietly turning heads, and Littler’s rise continues to feel unstoppable.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from this double-start madhouse, it’s that form counts for little once the oche lights up. Every dart has its own agenda, every checkout its own twist. The road to Sunday’s £120,000 prize is paved with missed doubles, wild celebrations, and the occasional meltdown.
And for fans, that’s exactly why we love it.
Outright Winner Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Luke Littler | 6/4 |
| Luke Humphries | 11/4 |
| Gerwyn Price | 9/1 |
| Josh Rock | 10/1 |
| Gary Anderson | 11/1 |
| Jonny Clayton | 12/1 |
| Danny Noppert | 14/1 |
| Dirk Van Duijvenbude | 28/1 |
| Cameron Menzies | 28/1 |
| Daryl Gurney | 40/1 |
| Mike De Decker | 50/1 |
| Luke Woodhouse | 80/1 |
Update: 08.10.25
Luke Littler Lights Up Leicester as Michael van Gerwen Crashes Out at the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
If darts ever needed a new poster boy for sheer, unflinching brilliance, Luke Littler just delivered his application form in neon lights. The teenager produced a performance of genuine star quality at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, claiming his first-ever victory in the event with a 2-0 triumph over Gian van Veen in what was, frankly, eleven minutes of pure tungsten theatre.
Littler’s Electric Start and Redemption Story
For those who remember last year’s version of events—Littler bundled out in the first round by Rob Cross—it felt like watching someone finally cash in on their overdue promise. This time, under the bright Leicester lights, ‘The Nuke’ exploded into life, reminding everyone why the sport’s elders are both mesmerised and slightly terrified of him.
The reigning world champion came out firing with a 151 checkout in the opening set, averaging a scintillating 104. Van Veen, no slouch himself and now ranked 15th in the world, responded in kind, averaging 107 and showing precisely why he’s been touted as the future of Dutch darts. The pair traded heavy artillery in a first set that felt more like a heavyweight boxing round than a darts leg.
Littler, who had also recently parted ways with his management company, looked utterly at ease. He closed out the match in style with a majestic 144 finish, the kind of checkout that leaves commentators scrambling for superlatives. Next up for him is defending champion Mike De Decker, who edged out Peter Wright 2-1 in another pulsating encounter.
Van Veen, despite defeat, set a new benchmark at the Grand Prix with an astonishing average of 106.47—the highest ever recorded in the tournament. His early dominance, which included two maximums and an 11-darter to take the opening leg, had Littler briefly on the ropes. But like any true showman, Littler responded with a 14-dart riposte, and from that point on, he never looked back.
Van Gerwen’s Grand Prix Nightmare Continues
While Littler was busy writing his own chapter of glory, Michael van Gerwen endured another evening to forget. The six-time champion was bundled out in the first round by Dirk van Duijvenbode, losing 2-0 and managing to win only two legs in the process. Eleven missed doubles later, and Van Gerwen’s dreams of a seventh Grand Prix crown were left smouldering somewhere in the back of the arena.
It marked the second consecutive year that Van Gerwen has suffered a first-round exit at this event, a statistic that will sting almost as much as his famously sharp tungsten points. For a man used to lifting trophies rather than packing his case early, it was a grim night.
Welsh Revival: Price and Clayton March On
Elsewhere, the Welsh contingent brought a welcome dose of resilience to proceedings. Gerwyn Price, the 2020 champion, looked in trouble after losing the opening set 3-0 to Ryan Searle but found his rhythm at just the right moment. A superb 138 checkout in the second set set him on his way to a comeback 2-1 victory, proving that The Iceman still knows how to keep his cool when it matters.
Jonny Clayton, winner here in 2021, snapped a six-match losing streak against Andrew Gilding with a 2-0 win. Clayton’s return to form was timely, given his recent inconsistency, and his smooth, unhurried style of play was a joy to watch. For once, everything seemed to click.
Daryl Gurney also impressed, brushing aside Ross Smith 2-0 with a particularly stylish finish—back-to-back D19s that had the crowd roaring. The Northern Irishman looked composed, confident, and just a little bit menacing.
Heta’s Misery Continues
It was a familiar story for Damon Heta, who slumped to a fifth straight first-round defeat at the World Grand Prix. Despite a sparkling 150 checkout that briefly lit up Leicester, he went down 2-1 to Luke Woodhouse in a tense final-leg shootout. Heta had been on course for victory when Woodhouse struggled to find his starting double, but two consecutive 180s from the Englishman turned the match on its head before he sealed it with a 90 checkout on double five.
De Decker, Rock, and the Belgian Charge
Mike De Decker’s 2-1 win over Peter Wright also deserves mention—not least for his jaw-dropping 152 finish, which even Wright, ever the showman, applauded warmly. It was a moment of darting beauty, and it earned De Decker a showdown with Littler in the next round.
Meanwhile, Josh Rock finally claimed his first Grand Prix victory after two failed attempts, overcoming Ryan Joyce 2-1 to book a last-16 meeting with Gerwyn Price. The Northern Irish youngster, who has long been tipped for greatness, will be relishing the chance to test himself against one of the game’s big names.
Wednesday and Thursday’s Fixtures: The Road Ahead
Wednesday night’s second-round matches promise more fireworks. Cameron Menzies faces Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting goes up against Danny Noppert, Luke Humphries takes on Krzysztof Ratajski, and Joe Cullen meets the ever-popular Gary Anderson.
Then, on Thursday, the action continues with Littler versus De Decker, Price facing Rock, Van Duijvenbode against Gurney, and Clayton taking on Woodhouse. After that, it’s quarter-finals on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday, and the big one—the final—on Sunday. By then, we’ll know who’s walking away with the famous trophy (and, no doubt, the obligatory oversized cheque).
Outright Market: Littler Leads the Way
According to BOYLE Sports, Luke Littler now stands as the outright favourite for the title, priced at a rather tempting 6/4. Luke Humphries sits behind him at 7/2, while Gerwyn Price can be backed at 9/1. The ever-dangerous Stephen Bunting and the resurgent Josh Rock both follow at 10/1, with Jonny Clayton just behind them at 12/1.
Further down the odds board, Gary Anderson sits at 16/1, while Dirk van Duijvenbode and Rob Cross are each around 25/1. Daryl Gurney and Danny Noppert are priced at 33/1, and for the more adventurous punter, Mike De Decker and Cameron Menzies sit at 50/1. Krzysztof Ratajski and Joe Cullen, both unpredictable but capable of brilliance, can be found at a long-shot 66/1.
For those who fancy a flutter, this market is about as open as it’s been in years. And with BOYLE Sports’ Bet €10 Get €60 in free bets plus €10 casino bonus offer available for new customers, it’s a fine time to back your hunch—especially if you’re the kind who enjoys a cheeky punt over a cup of tea and a custard cream.
The bookmakers’ free bet promotions add a dash of extra fun for fans tracking the action. Whether you’re lumping on Littler, siding with Humphries, or backing a dark horse like Bunting, a little bonus flutter never hurt anyone (except maybe the person who accidentally bet on Van Gerwen last night).
The Night Leicester Fell in Love with Littler
In the end, Tuesday night wasn’t about statistics, averages, or even titles. It was about a young man playing with swagger and confidence, entertaining a crowd that couldn’t quite believe what it was seeing. Littler’s blend of calm precision and youthful audacity is changing darts before our very eyes.
Michael van Gerwen may have fallen, but the sport gained something far more valuable—another star who can light up arenas, rattle the veterans, and get even the most casual viewer shouting at the telly.
As the competition rolls on and the tension builds, all eyes are firmly on Littler. And if this was just the opening act, heaven help whoever stands in his way next.
Outright Winner Odds from BOYLE Sports
Correct as of 08.10.25
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Luke Littler | 6/4 |
| Luke Humphries | 7/2 |
| Gerwyn Price | 9/1 |
| Stephen Bunting | 10/1 |
| Josh Rock | 10/1 |
| Jonny Clayton | 12/1 |
| Gary Anderson | 16/1 |
| Dirk Van Duijvenbode | 25/1 |
| Rob Cross | 25/1 |
| Daryl Gurney | 33/1 |
| Danny Noppert | 33/1 |
| Mike De Decker | 50/1 |
| Cameron Menzies | 50/1 |
| Krzysztof Ratajski | 66/1 |
| Joe Cullen | 66/1 |
| Luke Woodhouse | 66/1 |
07.10.25
There’s something gloriously unpredictable about the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix, now into its 28th staging under the bright lights of the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. Running from 6th to 12th October 2025, it’s the sort of week that can make or break reputations faster than you can say “Double In, Double Out.” For darts purists, this format is the sporting equivalent of performing brain surgery with a sledgehammer — unique, unforgiving, and utterly captivating.
With a £600,000 prize fund and a cool £120,000 waiting for the eventual champion, the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s the only major in the Professional Darts Corporation calendar where players must both start and finish on a double — a twist that separates the steady hands from the trembling mortals. One mistimed flick of the wrist and you could be left stranded, watching your opponent march up the oche with that smug, unflappable look all dart players seem to master.
The Field of Sharpshooters
At the sharp end of the betting board, courtesy of BOYLE Sports, sits the teenage phenomenon Luke Littler, the 9/4 favourite and the player most likely to transform a tricky format into a personal highlight reel. Littler’s rise from prodigy to poster boy has been so rapid that even his opponents are still catching their breath. He’s already shown he can thrive under pressure, but the World Grand Prix’s double-start can humble anyone.
Breathing down his neck at 4/1 is Luke Humphries, whose cool, calculating demeanour makes him as steady as a metronome. Humphries, the reigning world champion, looks made for the big stage, and Leicester’s crowd, loud as a brass band on a sugar rush, seems to fuel his best work. If Littler represents youthful exuberance, Humphries embodies precision — less flash, more finish.
Further along the odds board comes the always unpredictable Gerwyn Price at 9/1. The Welshman’s fire and intensity could ignite at any moment, and when it does, there’s no arena large enough to contain him. His thunderous walk-ons and occasional verbal sparring with the crowd have become part of the spectacle — half pantomime villain, half gladiator, and entirely unmissable.
Stephen Bunting, Michael van Gerwen, and Josh Rock, all perched at 10/1, form a formidable chasing pack. Bunting’s renaissance continues to be one of darts’ more heart-warming stories — a player once written off, now back in the conversation for silverware. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, needs no introduction. Once the sport’s unstoppable force, he’s endured an oddly human stretch of form, yet remains capable of crushing anyone when the rhythm returns. As for Rock, the Northern Irishman is the youthful livewire of the trio — talented, fearless, and seemingly unaware that he’s supposed to be intimidated by the stage.
Behind them, Gary Anderson lurks at 16/1, the old master whose languid style hides a competitive streak as fierce as ever. Anderson’s love affair with the Grand Prix format is well documented, and though he’s no longer the sprightly powerhouse of a few years ago, you can’t discount him. At 20/1, Jonny Clayton and Gian van Veen both bring contrasting energies — Clayton with his soft-spoken composure and ability to turn up at just the right time, van Veen with youthful confidence bordering on cheek.
Further down, Danny Noppert and Rob Cross sit at 25/1, steady operators capable of grinding through the draw while others implode around them. There’s something quietly dangerous about both — less fireworks, more slow burn. They’re the types who could reach a semi-final before anyone’s even noticed they were still in the tournament.
The Outsiders with Bite
Beyond the leading pack, a wave of dark horses wait to spoil the party. Joe Cullen, Mike De Decker, Cameron Menzies, Ross Smith, Damon Heta, all clustered around the 50/1 mark, are names that scream “potential chaos.” Menzies, in particular, has a flair for the unpredictable — capable of brilliance and bewilderment within the same leg. Smith and Heta, both power scorers, could cause a shock if the doubles behave.
At 66/1, Krzysztof Ratajski, Dirk Van Duijvenbode, and Ryan Searle make up the trio of hard-to-read contenders. Ratajski’s methodical precision can lull an opponent into a false sense of security before he clinically dismantles them. Van Duijvenbode, meanwhile, remains one of the sport’s great enigmas — a man as likely to pound a 180 as he is to self-destruct in a flurry of frustrated grimaces.
And then there are the romantics’ favourites: Daryl Gurney, Ryan Joyce, Peter Wright, and Luke Woodhouse, all priced around 100/1. Wright, once the sport’s peacock in residence, finds himself slipping down the odds yet never truly out of contention. He’s reinvented himself more times than Madonna, and though his form’s been patchy, the Grand Prix could easily serve as his comeback gig.
Andrew Gilding, at a distant 200/1, rounds out the field. But dismiss him at your peril — this is the World Grand Prix, after all, where even the mightiest can tumble to a misplaced dart and a double that simply refuses to behave.
The Theatre of the Double
What makes this tournament so captivating isn’t just the calibre of players or the money on the line — it’s the chaos of the format itself. The “Double In, Double Out” rule means players can’t simply throw themselves into a rhythm of treble 20s; they must first find a double to start scoring, and then another to win the leg. It’s darts, but with a sadistic twist. Even the best can find themselves stranded on scores like 301, staring down the oche as if it’s personally betrayed them.
Watching professionals miss their starting doubles has a strange appeal — it humanises them. There’s a delicious schadenfreude in seeing a world champion unable to hit Double 16 for love nor money. And when the doubles do land, the roar from the Mattioli Arena makes the rafters shake.
Who Claims the Crown?
If the formbook has any say, it’s a shoot-out between Littler and Humphries — two modern masters at opposite ends of their careers’ timelines. Littler’s fearless swagger meets Humphries’ calm authority, a contrast that could produce a final for the ages. Yet, this is the World Grand Prix, a place where form evaporates and the unthinkable becomes routine.
Don’t rule out van Gerwen rediscovering his dominance, or Price storming back into title contention with trademark ferocity. And if the scriptwriters are feeling mischievous, perhaps an old warhorse like Anderson or a reborn Bunting will steal the show.
Whatever unfolds in Leicester, one thing is certain: the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix remains the quirkiest, most unpredictable gem in the darts calendar. It’s the tournament where doubles become destiny, the crowd becomes a choir, and every throw carries the weight of a thousand gasps.
And if you fancy a flutter while the action unfolds, BOYLE Sports are offering a great free bet bonus — Bet €10 Get €60 + €10 Casino Bonus for all new Irish customers. It’s a tempting way to double in before the pros even step up to the oche.
As the final days approach, the Mattioli Arena stands poised — the lights bright, the tension thick, and the doubles waiting to make heroes or fools of everyone brave enough to aim at them.
Outright Winner Odds from Boylesports
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Luke Littler | 9/4 |
| Luke Humphries | 4/1 |
| Gerwyn Price | 9/1 |
| Stephen Bunting | 10/1 |
| Michael van Gerwen | 10/1 |
| Josh Rock | 10/1 |
| Gary Anderson | 16/1 |
| Jonny Clayton | 20/1 |
| Gian van Veen | 20/1 |
| Danny Noppert | 25/1 |
| Rob Cross | 25/1 |
| Joe Cullen | 50/1 |
| Mike De Decker | 50/1 |
| Cameron Menzies | 50/1 |
| Ross Smith | 50/1 |
| Damon Heta | 50/1 |
| Krzysztof Ratajski | 66/1 |
| Dirk Van Duijvenbode | 66/1 |
| Ryan Searle | 66/1 |
| Daryl Gurney | 100/1 |
| Ryan Joyce | 100/1 |
| Peter Wright | 100/1 |
| Luke Woodhouse | 100/1 |
| Andrew Gilding | 200/1 |
