The final leg of the qualifying sprint for the World Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at the end of September, reaches its climax this weekend at the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp. This event marks the thirteenth stop on the European Tour calendar for the season, and while the PDC’s two highest‑ranked players – Luke Littler and Luke Humphries – are not taking part, the tournament still promises a wealth of high‑quality darts from a deep field of seasoned professionals.
Among the competitors slated to take the stage at the Antwerp Expo are several of the sport’s most recognizable names: Gian van Veen, the rising Dutch talent; Gerwyn Price, the former world champion known for his fierce competitiveness; Michael van Gerwen, the multiple‑time world champion who continues to be a fan favourite; and James Wade, the seasoned English veteran with a reputation for consistency. Their presence ensures that the title will be hotly contested, even in the absence of the top‑two ranked players. One of the storylines that captured the imagination of fans last week was Beau Greaves’ historic victory in Prague, where she became the first woman ever to win a match on the Euro Tour. Greaves entered the Antwerp event with considerable momentum, hoping to build on that breakthrough.
However, her run was halted on Friday when she faced Australian contender Damon Heta. In a tightly fought encounter, Heta edged out Greaves, ending her campaign before the weekend’s later rounds.
The Australian’s win not only eliminated a fan‑favorite but also set up a high‑profile clash with Michael van Gerwen on Saturday, a match that promises to draw significant attention. The tournament schedule is laid out in a series of afternoon and evening sessions across three days, beginning with the opening round on Friday, September 11.
The afternoon session featured a mix of established players and emerging talent, with results such as Niels Zonneveld defeating Petr Tous 6‑3, Bradley Brooks overcoming Mickey Mansell 6‑4, and Chris Landman edging out Andrew Gilding 6‑5. Kevin Doets delivered a dominant performance, cruising past James Hurrell 6‑1, while Karel Sedlacek dispatched Michael Hansen 6‑2. Other notable victories included Jeffrey de Graaf’s 6‑5 win over Jeroen Caron and Ryan Joyce’s narrow 6‑5 triumph over Stephen Burton.
The evening session on the same day saw top‑seeded Rob Cross dispatch Cristo Reyes 6‑3, while Andy Baetens rebounded from a 3‑6 loss to Joe Cullen with a 6‑4 victory over Cameron Menzies. Gabriel Clemens beat William O'Connor 6‑2, and Kevin Lankhuizen fell 2‑6 to the legendary Raymond van Barneveld. Jim Long overcame an early deficit to beat Damon Heta 6‑5, before Heta turned the tables later in the session, eliminating Beau Greaves 6‑5. The night concluded with Dirk van Duijvenbode falling 3‑6 to Brendan Dolan.
Saturday, September 12, opened with a second‑round afternoon session at 12:00 BST. Match‑ups included Krzysztof Ratajski versus Kevin Doets, Jermaine Wattimena against Karel Sedlacek, and Martin Schindler taking on Rob Cross.
Danny Noppert faced Chris Landman, while Ryan Searle met Andy Baetens. Chris Dobey clashed with Niels Zonneveld, Luke Woodhouse took on William O'Connor, and Ross Smith squared off against Jeffrey de Graaf. The evening session at 18:00 BST delivered the marquee pairings: Josh Rock versus Ryan Joyce, Gerwyn Price against Bradley Brooks, James Wade meeting Jim Long, Gian van Veen taking on Gabriel Clemens, and Michael van Gerwen confronting his new rival Damon Heta.
Nathan Aspinall faced Nico Springer, Stephen Bunting went up against Brendan Dolan, and Wessel Nijman met Sebastian Bialecki. Sunday, September 13, continued with a third‑round afternoon session at 12:00 BST, followed by an evening session that will feature the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and the final. The exact draw for these later stages will be confirmed as the day progresses, but the anticipation is already high among supporters who have followed the tournament’s twists and turns. Beyond the immediate excitement of the Flanders Darts Trophy, Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster for the sport’s biggest upcoming events.
The World Grand Prix will take place from September 28 to October 4, followed by the Grand Slam of Darts in mid‑November (14‑22) and the season‑ending World Darts Championship from December 10 through January 3. All of these tournaments will be streamed live on the NOW platform, offering viewers a contract‑free way to keep up with the sport’s top talent.
For fans seeking the best viewing experience, the organizers recommend using the Chrome browser to access a more accessible video player, ensuring smooth playback of the fast‑paced action. Whether you are a longtime follower of darts or a newcomer drawn in by recent historic moments—such as Beau Greaves’ breakthrough win—the Flanders Darts Trophy provides a compelling showcase of skill, determination, and the unpredictable drama that makes darts one of the most engaging sports on television today.