Today marks the start of the build up to the PDC World Championship, with the famous World Grand Prix soon taking place in Leicester.
The event starts later this evening, and it is one which darting purists adore, mainly due to the fact it is a ‘double in’ format rather than the standard style seen in all other TV majors.
What that means is, each player has to start by hitting a double rather than simply any scoring spot on the board. So if a player misses three darts at a double on their first go, nothing is taken off the 501. It is a more brutal way of playing the sport, but also incredibly fun to watch!
Belgian star Mike De Decker is the defending champion, while teenage sensation Luke Littler is looking to win the Grand Prix for the very first time.
Read on as we preview the latest edition of this exciting tournament, complete with the latest darts odds from our website and sports betting app.
And our World Grand Prix Offer will see you credited with a £5 Free Bet when you wager £10 on darts bets this week, with minimum odds of 1.50 required for each selection to qualify.
World Grand Prix Preview
This is the fifth men’s major of the year, with the previous four won by one of the two Lukes – who are No1 and No2 in the rankings.
Humphries claimed victory at the Masters and won the Premier League, while Littler triumphed at the UK Open and World Matchplay, the latter securing him the heralded Triple Crown.
However, while it is not recognised as a major, Michael van Gerwen returned to form to claim victory at the World Series of Darts Finals just last month, an event which is still viewed as highly prestigious in the darting community.
He beat Littler in a repeat of January’s World Championship final, so the Green Machine is once again a serious contender for Grand Prix glory.
Van Gerwen has already won this tournament six times, while Humphries, James Wade, Gerwyn Price, Daryl Gurney and Jonny Clayton are other former winners who will be competing this week.
Of course, reigning champion De Decker is in the mix, though his form has been a bit patchy throughout the year, and it is hard to see him finding the quality required to keep hold of his crown.
Northern Irishman Josh Rock is a player on a positive run, though, and he is one to watch out for in Leicester after stellar displays at other 2025 majors, albeit in losing causes.
So, while Humphries (who won in 2023) and Littler dominate the outright odds market, the ‘double in’ format makes this more of an unpredictable tournament, which is something to factor into your betting strategy this week.
Those with plenty of Grand Prix experience like two-time winner Wade, who narrowly lost out to Littler in the recent Matchplay final, can really make a mockery of their odds.
World Grand Prix: First Round Schedule
Rob Cross vs Wessel Nijman
Martin Schindler vs Krzysztof Ratajski
Chris Dobey vs Cameron Menzies
James Wade vs Joe Cullen
Danny Noppert vs Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Humphries vs Nathan Aspinall
Gary Anderson vs Raymond van Barneveld
Stephen Bunting vs Niko Springer
Damon Heta vs Luke Woodhouse
Ross Smith vs Daryl Gurney
Jonny Clayton vs Andrew Gilding
Gerwyn Price vs Ryan Searle
Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen
Michael van Gerwen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
Peter Wright vs Mike De Decker
Josh Rock vs Ryan Joyce
World Grand Prix Outright Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Luke Littler – 3.00
Luke Humphries – 6.50
Gerwyn Price – 11.00
Josh Rock – 11.00
Michael van Gerwen – 11.00
Stephen Bunting – 15.00
Gary Anderson – 26.00
Gian van Veen – 26.00
James Wade – 29.00
Jonny Clayton – 29.00
Chris Dobey – 34.00
Nathan Aspinall – 34.00
Mike De Decker – 41.00
Rob Cross – 41.00
Ross Smith – 41.00
Wessel Nijman – 41.00
Damon Heta – 51.00
Danny Noppert – 51.00
When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
