The final leg of the qualification race 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. While the PDC’s two highest‑ranked players, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, are not participating, the thirteenth European Tour event of the season opens the door for a wide array of other top‑flight competitors to claim the title and secure valuable ranking points.
Among the names slated to appear on the stage at the Antwerp Expo are seasoned campaigners Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen and James Wade. Each of them will be looking to add another trophy to their impressive résumés and to improve their standing ahead of the World Grand Prix.
One of the most talked‑about storylines heading into the tournament was the participation of Beau Greaves. Fresh from a historic triumph in Prague the previous week—where she became the first woman ever to win a match on the Euro Tour—Greaves arrived in Belgium with high expectations. However, her run was cut short on Friday when she met Australian Damon Heta. In a tightly contested match, Heta edged out Greaves, ending her campaign before the weekend’s climax.
The Australian’s victory not only propelled him further into the draw but also set up a tantalising showdown with Michael van Gerwen on Saturday, a fixture that promises to draw considerable attention from fans worldwide. The tournament schedule is laid out as follows: **Friday, 11 September – Round One – Afternoon Session** (matches streamed on a Chrome‑compatible video player): - Niels Zonneveld 6‑3 Petr Tous - Bradley Brooks 6‑4 Mickey Mansell - Chris Landman 6‑5 Andrew Gilding - Kevin Doets 6‑1 James Hurrell - Karel Sedlacek 6‑2 Michael Hansen - Jeffrey de Graaf 6‑5 Jeroen Caron - Ryan Joyce 6‑5 Stephen Burton - Niko Springer 6‑1 Jaimy Jacobs **Friday, 11 September – Round One – Evening Session** (1800 BST): - Rob Cross 6‑3 Cristo Reyes - Joe Cullen 3‑6 Andy Baetens - Cameron Menzies 4‑6 Gabriel Clemens - William O'Connor 6‑2 Kevin Lankhuizen - Raymond van Barneveld 2‑6 Jim Long - Damon Heta 6‑5 Beau Greaves - Sebastian Bialecki 6‑5 Kim Huybrechts - Dirk van Duijvenbode 3‑6 Brendan Dolan **Saturday, 12 September – Round Two – Afternoon Session** (1200 BST): - Krzysztof Ratajski vs Kevin Doets - Jermaine Wattimena vs Karel Sedlacek - Martin Schindler vs Rob Cross - Danny Noppert vs Chris Landman - Ryan Searle vs Andy Baetens - Chris Dobey vs Niels Zonneveld - Luke Woodhouse vs William O'Connor - Ross Smith vs Jeffrey de Graaf **Saturday, 12 September – Round Two – Evening Session** (1800 BST): - Josh Rock vs Ryan Joyce - Gerwyn Price vs Bradley Brooks - James Wade vs Jim Long - Gian van Veen vs Gabriel Clemens - Michael van Gerwen vs Damon Heta - Nathan Aspinall vs Nico Springer - Stephen Bunting vs Brendan Dolan - Wessel Nijman vs Sebastian Bialecki **Sunday, 13 September – Round Three – Afternoon Session** (1200 BST) will feature the remaining competitors battling for a place in the quarter‑finals, followed by the evening session (1800 BST) that will host the quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and ultimately the final match of the tournament. The Flanders Darts Trophy is not only a pivotal event for players seeking to qualify for the World Grand Prix, but it also serves as a showcase for the growing popularity of darts across Europe. The tournament’s placement on Sky Sports ensures a broad audience, while the inclusion of a dedicated Chrome‑compatible video player aims to provide a smoother streaming experience for viewers.
Looking ahead, Sky Sports will continue to be the primary broadcaster for the sport’s marquee events, including the World Grand Prix (28 September – 4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14 – 22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December – 3 January). Fans can also stream all darts action, along with a variety of other sports and entertainment content, through the NOW platform without the need for a long‑term contract. In summary, the Flanders Darts Trophy offers a packed schedule, a blend of established stars and rising talents, and the drama of knockout darts at its finest. Whether you are cheering for a seasoned champion like van Gerwen, rooting for a breakthrough performance from a newer face, or simply enjoying the spectacle of high‑quality darts, the tournament promises plenty of excitement over the three‑day weekend.