2025 UK Open Preview: The FA Cup of Darts Returns to Minehead
- Darts Central
- Feb 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 12
The 2025 Ladbrokes UK Open is set to take place from Friday, February 28th, to Sunday, March 2nd, at Butlin’s Minehead. Now in its 23rd edition, the event remains one of the most unpredictable and thrilling tournaments on the PDC calendar.
Nicknamed the FA Cup of Darts, the UK Open features a massive 160-player field, an open-draw format, and multiple playing areas, making it a unique spectacle. Reigning champion Dimitri van den Bergh will defend his title, while the world's best players battle for glory in what promises to be another unforgettable weekend of darts at Butlins, Minehead.
Tournament Format & Match Rules
The UK Open stands out from other PDC televised events due to its tiered entry system and random draw after each round. Players enter at different stages based on their rankings:
Entry Stages:
Round 1: Top 8 Challenge Tour players, top 8 Development Tour players, and Tour Card holders ranked 97th-128th.
Round 2: Round 1 winners joined by Tour Card holders ranked 65th-96th.
Round 3: Round 2 winners joined by Tour Card holders ranked 33rd-64th.
Round 4: The top 32 players from the PDC Order of Merit enter the tournament, joining those who progressed from Round 3.
From Round 4 onwards, all matches are randomly drawn live on ITV4, ensuring unpredictable matchups and adding to the drama.
Match Format:
Rounds 1-3: Best of 11 legs
Rounds 4-6: Best of 19 legs
Quarter-Finals: Best of 19 legs
Semi-Finals & Final: Best of 21 legs
Unique Multi-Board Setup
The UK Open is different from standard PDC TV tournaments as it uses eight boards simultaneously:
Main Stage – The primary stage, used all weekend, featuring the biggest matches and broadcast live on ITV4.
Stage 2 – A smaller secondary stage, also available to fans, used until the Quarter-Finals.
Stages 3-8 – Backroom boards where matches are played in an intimate setting, allowing fans to get close to the action. These stages are used all day Friday, with Stages 3-4 continuing until the Fifth Round on Saturday afternoon.
Prize Money Breakdown
With a £600,000 prize fund, here’s how the money is distributed:
Position | Prize Money |
Winner | £110,000 |
Runner-Up | £50,000 |
Semi-Finalists | £30,000 |
Quarter-Finalists | £15,000 |
Last 16 (Sixth Round) | £10,000 |
Last 32 (Fifth Round) | £5,000 |
Last 64 (Fourth Round) | £2,500 |
Last 96 (Third Round) | £1,500 |
Last 128 (Second Round) | £1,000 |
Last 160 (First Round) | N/A |
Key Contenders
The top 32 players enter in Round 4, with several names standing out:
Luke Humphries: World number one and last year’s runner-up, Humphries looks to claim his first UK Open title after his success in the 2025 World Masters and being runner-up last year.
Luke Littler: The reigning world champion and 11-time PDC title winner, Littler aims to add the UK Open to his growing collection.
Gerwyn Price: With recent wins at Players Championship 1 and the Premier League Night in Dublin, Price enters with momentum, chasing his first UK Open crown.
Michael van Gerwen: A three-time UK Open champion, van Gerwen is determined to bounce back after last year’s shock early exit and reclaim the title for a fourth time.
The Unpredictability Factor
The UK Open is famous for shock results and Cinderella stories:
Barry Lynn (2016): Lynn’s unforgettable run to the Quarter-Finals as a Riley’s Pub qualifier is a perfect example of the UK Open’s unpredictability. Along the way, he stunned Gary Anderson, and his run captured the essence of what makes this tournament so special: anyone can make an impact.
Adam Gawlas (2023): Gawlas' unexpected journey to the semi-finals in 2023 was one of the tournament's standout stories. The young Czech player showed nerves of steel, working his way through a high-quality field, and proving that experience isn’t always required for a deep run in Minehead.
Andrew Gilding (2023): The ultimate underdog, "Goldfinger" stunned the darts world in 2023 by defeating Michael van Gerwen in a nail-biting 11-10 thriller to claim the title. The Minehead crowd erupted in support, serenading Gilding with his iconic walk-on song, "Gold" by Spandau Ballet, as he sealed the victory. It was a moment that perfectly captured the UK Open’s unpredictable magic.
Ricky Evans (2024): Known for his blistering pace, Evans shocked everyone by reaching the semi-finals last year, dispatching some established operators along the way. His run was a perfect example of how the open draw can create wild matchups and elevate underdogs.
Potential Dark Horses
These players outside the top 32 could spring a surprise:
Callan Rydz – 2025 World Championship quarter-finalist, strong form on the Pro Tour.
Wessel Nijman – Talented Dutchman, Development Tour star, already a Players Championship winner last season.
Nick Kenny – Reached the Last 32 at the 2025 World Championship and recently hit a career-best 112.32 average on the Pro Tour also making a semi-final run in PC3.
Dom Taylor – Back after a one-month drugs ban, impressed with a semi-final run in PC4, averaging 100+ in 5 of 6 matches.
Beau Greaves – Incredibly, Greaves currently tops three PDC rankings (Challenge Tour, Development Tour, Women’s Series). Can she continue to break boundaries with a deep run in one of the biggest PDC majors amongst the elite?
Storylines to Watch
Can Dimitri van den Bergh defend his title? An event win could push him into the top 8 and strengthen his case for a Premier League spot in 2026.
Will the big names reclaim dominance? Last season saw several shock major winners—will that trend continue?
Could the open draw create early fireworks? A Round 4 matchup like Luke Littler vs. Luke Humphries is possible.
Will an amateur qualifier shine? Barry Lynn (2016) showed anything is possible—could another unknown make a deep run?
Schedule & Viewing Information
The 2025 UK Open runs from Friday, February 28th – Sunday, March 2nd. Main Stage matches air live on ITV4, while Stage 2-8 matches stream on PDC.tv.
Full Schedule:
Friday Afternoon: Rounds 1-3
Friday Evening: Round 4 (Top 32 enter)
Saturday Afternoon: Round 5
Saturday Evening: Round 6
Sunday Afternoon: Quarter-Finals
Sunday Evening: Semi-Finals & Final
Final Thoughts
The UK Open is pure, unfiltered drama. With its open draw, multiple stages, and a blend of established stars and fresh faces, it’s a tournament where anything can happen.
Will a seasoned pro reign supreme, or could another unexpected winner emerge from the chaos? And with the unpredictability of the draw, who knows—an amateur might just steal the spotlight. One thing’s certain: expect fireworks in Minehead!
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