The 2025 WDF Masters is officially underway, and over the next few days the Hungarian capital will become the beating heart of world darts. Some of the planet’s finest arrow-slingers have descended on Budapest, all chasing one of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious crowns.
The tournament first launched back in 1974 – long before Luke Littler, and, for that matter, before his parents were even born. England’s Cliff Inglis was the inaugural champion, pocketing a princely £400 for his troubles – enough back then to buy a small car, or a lifetime supply of flared trousers and disco shirts.
Fast forward to 1982, and Welsh star Ann Marie Davies made history as the first-ever women’s champion, banking £1,200 – a tidy sum in those days, and probably enough to single-handedly boost the Welsh economy.
By the end of this weekend, four new names will be etched into the Masters’ illustrious roll of honour. The WDF will crown champions across the Men’s, Women’s, Boys’, and Girls’ divisions – a mix of rising talents and seasoned campaigners hoping to join legends like Eric Bristow, Bob Anderson, and Phil Taylor in darting immortality.
The women’s honours list reads just as impressively – Trina Gulliver, Mandy Solomons, and the ageless Deta Hedman, who’s still competing more than 30 years after first lifting the trophy at London’s Earls Court.It promises to be a cracking few days on the Danube.
Two-time men’s champion Wesley Plaisier won’t be returning to chase a hat-trick – his shiny PDC Tour Card has him stationed in the far less glamorous Wigan. Beau Greaves is another big name missing, meaning no treble bid for her either.
But Pauling Paige is in Budapest, gunning for three straight titles in the Girls’ event, while Belgium’s Lex Paeshuyse looks to defend his Boys’ crown.The women’s group stage is already underway, and the action is ramping up fast.
By the weekend’s end, we’ll have four new champions, a few broken averages, and – if history’s any guide – another chapter added to one of darts’ longest-running love affairs with pure competition.
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Images: WDF
