Luke Littler and Luke Humphries take centre stage in Leicester on Monday as the BoyleSports World Grand Prix returns to the Mattioli Arena, with the world champion and world number one headlining a 32-strong field built for jeopardy in darts' only double-start major.
Humphries opens against 2022 runner-up Nathan Aspinall on night one, while Littler meets World Youth champion Gian van Veen on Tuesday in a tie that already feels like the sport's future in microcosm.
The event runs from Monday, October 6th to Sunday, October 12th, with round one split across the first two nights, round two on Wednesday and Thursday, quarter-finals on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday and the final at 20:00 BST on Sunday.
Humphries ready to haunt
Humphries arrives with the best recent Grand Prix résumé. He lifted the title in 2023 and finished runner-up to Mike De Decker last year, which makes this a bid to reclaim a crown that has felt broadly under his jurisdiction for two seasons.
He is again the top seed and world number one, while the bookmakers place him second favourite behind Littler. Humphries' 2025 haul already includes the Premier League title, two PC Finals wins and the Masters crown.
Aspinall tends to bring drama to this stage, but the numbers lean Cool Hand's way. Humphries is a clear favourite for Monday's showdown, and independent databases have him well ahead in their last ten meetings.
The stage format, though, is a leveller in a double-start first round that is notoriously unforgiving.
Littler seeking improvement
Littler, meanwhile, returns to the Grand Prix with unfinished business.
The 18-year-old world champion lost to Rob Cross on his tournament debut last year, which means he is still chasing a first match win in this format. His opponent, Van Veen, is doing the same after a first-round exit in 2024, although the Dutchman has since become a serious presence, winning the World Youth Championship and securing senior titles.
The pair have already split meaningful 2025 meetings, including Littler's 10-4 win at the UK Open and Van Veen's 6-4 success on the European Tour in September. Even so, pre-tournament odds have Littler installed as the favourite for the title and clear pick for their Tuesday clash.
De Decker defends
The defending champion is De Decker, who memorably outlasted Humphries 6-4 in last year's final to claim a first TV title.
He opens his defence against Peter Wright on Tuesday and has not been shy about the emotions attached to returning as the man with the target on his shirt.
"I still get goosebumps thinking about last year," reflected De Decker to the PDC.
"Luke (Humphries) was the player to beat throughout the tournament, so to go and lift the title - it was an emotional rollercoaster.
"I'm feeling quite confident. I played pretty well on the ProTour this week, and I'm finally finding some consistency again.
"I know what Peter can do. He didn't win two World Championship titles by luck, so I'm going in with the mindset that I have to play my A-game, like I do in every tournament."
Bunting on a roll
Stephen Bunting turns up with momentum after winning the Swiss Darts Trophy last weekend, his sixth title of the season and second Euro Tour success of 2025, and he draws German debutant Niko Springer on Monday.
"I'm playing the best darts of my life," Bunting said ahead of the tournament.
"I feel consistently that I'm delivering. I'm number four in the world. The rankings are over a few years, so it shows how consistent I've been, but you can't take anything for granted in this game.
"There are so many good players in this sport, so to be in the top four of the world is an unbelievable achievement.
"I can't take my foot off the gas. I need to keep on the practice board and keep improving, and hopefully there's a big tournament (win) coming soon."
James Wade, twice a Grand Prix winner and a finalist at the UK Open and World Matchplay this year, renews hostilities with 2023 semi-finalist Joe Cullen on Monday.
Wade wanting more
Wade has spent the last 18 months re-establishing himself among the sport's elite, and he will make his 21st consecutive appearance this week.
"I think I've had a brilliant 12 months," admitted Wade.
"I don't think I've always played brilliantly, but I'm doing well and I'm grinding out results. In terms of ranking money, I'm the second-best performing player this year, I'm back in the world's top five and I'm keeping myself relevant."
Elsewhere, resurgent six-time champion Michael van Gerwen faces 2020 runner-up Dirk van Duijvenbode on Tuesday, Gary Anderson meets Raymond van Barneveld on Monday in a nostalgia-laced opener, Rob Cross gets in first against debutant Wessel Nijman, and Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton reprise Welsh title credentials against Ryan Searle and Andrew Gilding, respectively.
The bracket is seeded 1-16 from the PDC Order of Merit, with the remaining 16 places taken from the year's ProTour list. The prize fund stands at £600,000, with £120,000 going to the winner.
The World Grand Prix Darts features a unique double-in, double-out format, requiring players to hit a double to start and finish each leg of the 501 game. A player must hit a double (or the bullseye) on their first dart to begin scoring points.
Monday's session begins at 18:00 BST with Humphries versus Aspinall among the eight first-round ties.
Littler and Van Veen lead Tuesday's programme, also from 18:00 BST.