One of the year's best majors, the World Grand Prix of darts, is almost here.
Its double-in, double-out format adds an extra layer of complexity, allowing us to see some upsets we might not normally see in a standard game.
That could apply in the first round, with there already being some intriguing matchups.
2025 World Grand Prix of Darts first round predictions
MORE: Which darts players will be at the 2025 World Grand Prix?
Here are my predictions for the first round.
Rob Cross (9) vs. Wessel Nijman
Winner: Wessel Nijman, 2-1
Nijman has continued to rise on the order of merit and is playing better as the year progresses.
He's already had one upset at a major this year, beating Nathan Aspinall at the World Matchplay in their first round game. He'll have momentum on his side, as he just won a players' championship event a few days ago.
Martin Schindler (16) vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
Winner: Martin Schindler, 2-0
Schindler is mostly known for his results on the European Tour, but he's due for a good performance at a major event.
In non-floor events, Ratajski hasn't found much rhythm in recent months, so I'll give Schindler the win in his first round bout with the Polish Eagle.
Chris Dobey (8) vs. Cameron Menzies
Winner: Chris Dobey, 2-0
Menzies has struggled at majors in 2025. He's had trouble dealing with his emotions when he isn't playing his A or B game, leading to results like his average of 66.85 in a match at the World Series of Darts Finals. This could be problematic with the double-in format in play this week.
Menzies and Dobey have faced one another twice in the last month, with Dobey winning both games.
James Wade (5) vs. Joe Cullen
Winner: James Wade, 2-0
Wade and Cullen just recently faced off in the first round of the World Matchplay, where Wade picked up a comfortable win over 'The Rockstar.' Wade went on to be a finalist in that tournament.
The disparity in double % in 2025 between the two players favors Wade (+6.7%), who is in position to once again take down Cullen in the first round of a TV major.
Danny Noppert (13) vs. Jermaine Wattimena
Winner: Danny Noppert, 2-1
Wattimena has had his moments and could come close to a win, but Noppert's consistent performances on the Pro Tour in the past couple of months give him the edge.
Luke Humphries (1) vs. Nathan Aspinall
Winner: Luke Humphries, 2-1
The short best-of-three format can be dangerous for even players as good as Humphries. It's not any better that he has to face Aspinall, who has been one of the best Pro Tour qualifiers, but Humphries should get the win.
Humphries was a finalist last year and the winner of the World Grand Prix in 2023, so I don't think he'll want to drop another first-round game at a major, especially since he'll be defending a lot of prize money.
Gary Anderson (12) vs. Raymond van Barneveld
Winner: Gary Anderson, 2-1
Anderson has played in far fewer Pro Tour events this year, with the majors being a large majority of his stage performances. Despite playing less, he's played some quality top-level games in the last year and a half.
Anderson's match with van Barneveld should be an interesting one, considering RVB has played much better in recent weeks, but Anderson should still have enough to advance to the second round.
Stephen Bunting (4) vs. Niko Springer
Winner: Stephen Bunting, 2-1
Bunting has been one of the best darts players in the PDC in 2025, in both majors and Pro Tour events.
He's made at least three quarterfinal appearances in majors this year so far (World Championship, World Masters and World Matchplay).
Springer put his name on the map after a recent Euro Tour event title, but Bunting should be able to fend off the young German on Monday.
Damon Heta (11) vs. Luke Woodhouse
Winner: Damon Heta, 2-1
The last time these two played each other at a major was at this year's World Championship, when Damon Heta hit an iconic nine-darter. He did go on to lose that match to Woodhouse, who had a solid run to the final 16.
Heta is still in search of a first major title in his career, and will look to break that drought with a win that could kickstart a run in Leicester.
Heta is second among tour card holders in 2025 for double %, hitting his doubles 44.56% of the time.
Ross Smith (14) vs. Daryl Gurney
Winner: Daryl Gurney, 2-1
Ross Smith just won a players' championship event title, but there's still very little between the two players going into this game.
Gurney complimented Josh Rock well at the World Cup en route to a title win. If he can play at the level we've seen from him at times this year, Smith could have his hands full in the short-formatted game.
Jonny Clayton (6) vs. Andrew Gilding
Winner: Clayton, 2-0
2025 has been a great year for 'The Ferret' so far, as he's playing well enough to make his case for a return to the Premier League.
That could be solidified in a tournament like the World Grand Prix. This year, he's already been a semifinalist at the UK Open and World Matchplay, a finalist at the World Masters and a finalist at the World Cup.
Gilding made a nice run at the World Matchplay in July, but Clayton has been far more consistent, which should lead to a comfortable win for him.
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Gerwyn Price (7) vs. Ryan Searle
Winner: Gerwyn Price, 2-1
2025 has been a bounce-back year for Price. Whether it's been in the Premier League, at majors, or on the Pro Tour, Price has found success at all types of events in 2025.
Searle has been good in his own right, but Price's scoring has been unstoppable at times. If he can get along with his friend Double-20 this week, he might win a second career World Grand Prix title, something only Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and James Wade have done.
Luke Littler (2) vs. Gian van Veen
Winner: Luke Littler, 2-1
Both Lukes were unlucky with the draw. Littler can beat anyone on any given day, but he'll have to face van Veen straight out of the gate in a must-watch matchup.
GVV is 46.65% on doubles in 2025, leading all PDC tourcard holders by a significant margin.
He should be able to apply pressure, but assuming Littler is playing his A or B+ game, it should be enough to beat the young Dutchman.
Michael van Gerwen (3) vs. Dirk van Duijvenbode
Winner: Michael van Gerwen, 2-0
MVG is a six-time winner of the event. He's surprisingly had early exits in the past two World Grand Prixs, but he should be able to get back on the right track against van Duijvenbode in round one.
After months of struggling, he went on a run in Amsterdam to win the World Series of Darts Finals a few weeks ago, so he'll look to take that momentum with him into Leicester.
Peter Wright (15) vs. Mike De Decker
Winner: Mike De Decker, 2-0
It's been a tough year for Wright since his run to the quarterfinals at the World Championship.
De Decker hasn't had the best year himself, but should be a big favorite considering he's the reigning Grad Prix champion who is facing an opponent struggling to find results.
If somehow De Decker was able to defend his title, he could move up all the way toward the top-10 on the Main OoM.
Josh Rock (10) vs. Ryan Joyce
Winner: Josh Rock, 2-1
Joyce has been phenomenal on doubles in 2025, hitting them at a rate of 41.85%.
Rock won't look to give him many chances with the explosive scoring he provides, but Joyce should still be able to get a set on the scoreboard in a close match against a red-hot Josh Rock.
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