Grand Slam of Darts 2025 betting preview: Price to finally end his major hoodoo

Halloween is in the books. The anticipation is building and the adverts are beginning to show on TV.

No, it’s not Christmas, but the World Darts Championship. The tournament is nearly upon us, and I can assure you, that is much more exciting.

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With just two major events left until the best players in the world make their way to the Alexandra Palace in London, there is still plenty of time to improve.

Gian van Veen became the latest name to break through to win a PDC Major, claiming the European Championship courtesy of a fine win over Luke Humphries.

The Grand Slam of Darts is unique among the major events as it features a group stage before the knockout round. Players are divided into eight groups of four, with the top two progressing into the second round.

Luke Littler is the reigning champion, defeating Martin Lukeman 16-3 last year. The teenager will be defending his title, along with a host of prominent names, including Michael Smith, making his first major appearance since the UK Open in March. 

Here at FIRST.com, we take a look at a few outright selections before delving into those players that offer value to go deep in the tournament.

The favourites 

Littler won the Grand Slam on his debut last year and it is to no surprise that the youngster is the favourite ahead of the tournament.

Is he vulnerable, however? At the recent European Championship, the 18-year-old was knocked out in the second round by James Wade. Last week, he failed to arrive at Players Championship 33 due to traffic issues, before falling to Marcus Campbell in the last 32 the following day.

He didn’t look like his usual menacing self in those two defeats, but he is still odds of 2/1 with Ladbrokes to win the Grand Slam.

Humphries is second favourite at 5/1 courtesy of Ladbrokes, although his form has been largely inconsistent. He did finish runner-up to Van Veen at the European Championship, yet fell at either the first or second round in the previous four Players Championship events.

He suffered a dismal group stage exit last year, too, when defending his title.

For me, Gerwyn Price is someone who looks solid value, especially considering his record at the event. The Welshman has a trio of victories – 2018, 2019 and 2021 – at the event, while reaching a quarter-final in 2022.

There is no denying that Price has struggled in the majors over the previous two years, but he has shown glimpses of magic and could be a favourable pre-tournament bet.

He did reach the semi-finals of the Premier League this year, along with winning a World Series and European Tour event, plus four Players Championship tournaments.

He is certainly due a big one.

FIRST’s top tip for the Grand Slam

Pick: Gerwyn Price to win the Grand Slam – 8/1 (Ladbrokes)

Extra tips

Van Veen broke through to win a debut major last month and his odds have already been slashed from 20/1 to 8/1 for the World Championship.

He currently finds himself at 9/1 for the Grand Slam, although he is in a group alongside Josh Rock, Wesel Nijman and Lisa Ashton.

There is no doubting his talent, but I’m going to opt for someone who has impressed me lately - Nathan Aspinall. Ladbrokes have the Englishman priced at 18/1, which seems generous given his recent form.

Indeed, ‘The Asp’ won three European Tour events in 2025, most recently at the German Darts Championship. There, he defeated rising star Van Veen in the semi-finals, before sealing the title with an 8-6 over Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Aspinall’s year?

He hasn’t won a major title since the 2023 World Matchplay. Could it be Aspinall’s week in Wolverhampton?

Finally, James Wade at 28/1 is an enticing prospect. The veteran is in the slightly easier top half of the draw and should make it out of a group containing Price, Ricky Evans and Stefan Bellmont.

If so, a likely clash against either Stephen Bunting, Martin Schindler or Luke Woodhouse awaits. Win that, and there might be no stopping him.

Confidence will still be oozing from his stunning 10-7 win over Littler at the European Championship. This is one tournament he has yet to win, finishing runner-up three times and reaching two further semi-finals.

The value picks

Due to the group stage nature of the Grand Slam, there is always a surprise package or two. Last year saw Lukeman reach the final, despite having to qualify for the event.

In 2021, Fallon Sherrock became the first female to reach the quarter-finals of the event, going out to Peter Wright.

Niko Springer could be someone to make a deep run at the tournament. Priced at 50/1 by Ladbrokes, the German is in a group with Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Beau Greaves. A difficult group for sure, but the pressure is off.

He won the Hungarian Darts Trophy on the European Tour earlier this year, signifying that he was one to watch. 

On his way to victory, Springer defeated: Van Veen, Damon Heta, Rob Cross, Humphries, Josh Rock and then Danny Noppert in the final. Not a bad run indeed.

The 25-year-old has yet to truly kick-on from this win, but the Grand Slam represents an ideal chance to notch up a few impressive victories.

The outside picks

Michael Smith and Damon Heta are also priced at 50/1 on Ladbrokes, but in terms of real value, I reckon Luke Woodhouse is a wonderful each-way shout at 100/1 with the same sportsbook.

He may have been knocked out at the group stage on his only appearance at this tournament, but Woodhouse has enjoyed a solid 2025.

At the Swiss Darts Trophy in September, the Englishman reached the final, losing to Bunting. Just last week, he reached another final, this time at Players Championship 34. Once again, he suffered defeat, but knowing he can go the distance in these events is surely a major confidence boost.

FIRST’s value pick for the Grand Slam

Pick: Luke Woodhouse (each-way, 1/2 odds for finishing either 1st or 2nd) – 100/1 (Ladbrokes)

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Odds correct at the time of writing.