The Swiss Darts Trophy is the penultimate stop of the 2025 Euro Tour – and for those clinging to hopes of sneaking into the World Grand Prix, it’s the last throw of the dice.
As is tradition before any Euro Tour weekend, we’ve had the usual chaos: late withdrawals, reserve list call-ups, and the looming possibility of a lost suitcase or two. No luggage horror stories have surfaced yet, but don’t worry – if a pro’s spare pants end up in Frankfurt instead of Basel, Darts World will be on it faster than you can say baggage reclaim.
Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Gerwyn Price and Cameron Menzies have all pulled out, opening the door for Richard Veenstra, Connor Scutt, Mensur Suljovic and Chris Landman. That shuffle also bumps Gian van Veen, Mike De Decker and Ryan Searle into seeded positions.
And so, in a country best known for Toblerones, it’s only fitting that Martin Schindler – roughly the size of one – heads to Basel as defending champion. The German number one lifted the inaugural title last year with victory over Searle, and begins his defence on Saturday against either World Cup teammate Ricardo Pietreczko or Oskar Lukasiak.
Top seed Luke Humphries faces the winner of Connor Scutt v Callan Rydz, while Jermaine Wattimena could line up a rapid-fire clash with Josh Rock if he gets past his home-nation qualifier. Blink and you’ll miss it, but don’t blink too long – Rock doesn’t usually give second chances.
For the Grand Prix hopefuls, every dart matters. Most seats at the table look secure, with in my opinion, just one still up for grabs between Krzysztof Ratajski, Willie O’Connor and Raymond van Barneveld. Barney will be smiling at the draw – a local qualifier to start – while Ratajski has Owen Bates and O’Connor gets the short straw with Daryl Gurney. The Magpie needs to win that or won’t feature in Leicester.
Elsewhere, Niko Springer, fresh from Budapest glory, is already Grand Prix-bound but takes on Richard Veenstra in round one, with Rob Cross waiting as the prize. James Wade, still flying high, is due to meet Ryan Joyce, assuming Joyce deals with his own qualifier. Mike De Decker, looking for a pre-Grand Prix boost ahead of his attempt to defend that crown, will start against either Ratajski or Bates.
Jonny Clayton, the lone Welshman in the tournament, may well find himself staring down Nathan Aspinall in round two – if Andreas Toft Jorgensen doesn’t spoil the script. Gian van Veen v Dirk van Duijvenbode is another Saturday sizzler, provided the Aubergenius sidesteps compatriot Jitse van der Wel. Damon Heta, meanwhile, might have to deal with the full Barney Army if Raymond strolls past his opener.
Stephen Bunting should fancy his chances against Chris Landman or a Swiss hopeful, while Ross Smudger Smith will definitely have his hands full with Wessel Nijman or reigning Euro Champ Ritchie Edhouse. And finally, Danny Noppert – who hit the post in Hungary – starts against either Gurney or O’Connor in his quest for that elusive maiden Euro Tour title.
Coverage from Basel will be streamed on DAZN in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, plus the DAZN Darts channel on Pluto TV. For the rest of the world, PDCTV and bookmakers’ streams have you covered. Don’t quote us on that though.
2025 Swiss Darts Trophy
St Jakobshalle, Basel, September 26-28
Tournament Draw Bracket – Second Round Onwards
(1) Luke Humphries v Connor Scutt/Callan Rydz
(16) Ryan Searle v Niels Zonneveld/Dalibor Smolik
(8) Josh Rock v Jermaine Wattimena/Host Nation Qualifier 1
(9) Dave Chisnall v Luke Woodhouse/Lukas Wenig
(4) Jonny Clayton v Nathan Aspinall/Andreas Toft Jorgensen
(13) Martin Schindler v Ricardo Pietreczko/Oskar Lukasiak
(5) Chris Dobey v Mensur Suljovic/Martin Lukeman
(12) Peter Wright v Andrew Gilding/Cor Dekker
(2) Stephen Bunting v Chris Landman/Host Nation Qualifier 3
(15) Mike De Decker v Krzysztof Ratajski/Owen Bates
(7) Damon Heta v Raymond van Barneveld/Host Nation Qualifier 2
(10) Ross Smith v Wessel Nijman/Ritchie Edhouse
(3) James Wade v Ryan Joyce/Host Nation Qualifier 4
(14) Gian van Veen v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Jitse van der Wal
(6) Rob Cross v Richard Veenstra/Niko Springer
(11) Danny Noppert v Daryl Gurney/William O’Connor
Schedule of Play
Friday September 26
Round One
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Connor Scutt v Callan Rydz
Niels Zonneveld v Dalibor Smolik
Krzysztof Ratajski v Owen Bates
Andrew Gilding v Cor Dekker
Ryan Joyce v Host Nation Qualifier 4
Luke Woodhouse v Lukas Wenig
Ricardo Pietreczko v Oskar Lukasiak
Mensur Suljovic v Martin Lukeman
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Chris Landman v Host Nation Qualifier 3
Wessel Nijman v Ritchie Edhouse
Raymond van Barneveld v Host Nation Qualifier 2
Richard Veenstra v Niko Springer
Jermaine Wattimena v Host Nation Qualifier 1
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Jitse van der Wal
Daryl Gurney v William O’Connor
Nathan Aspinall v Andreas Toft Jorgensen
Saturday September 27
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)`
Ryan Searle v Zonneveld/Smolik
Dave Chisnall v Woodhouse/Wenig
Peter Wright v Gilding/Dekker
Mike De Decker v Ratajski/Bates
Rob Cross v Veenstra/Springer
Gian van Veen v Van Duijvenbode/Van der Wal
Danny Noppert v Gurney/O’Connor
Ross Smith v Nijman/Edhouse
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
James Wade v Joyce/HNQ4
Martin Schindler v Pietreczko/Lukasiak
Josh Rock v Wattimena/HNQ1
Luke Humphries v Scutt/Rydz
Jonny Clayton v Aspinall/Jorgensen
Damon Heta v Van Barneveld/HNQ2
Stephen Bunting v Landman/HNQ3
Chris Dobey v Suljovic/Lukeman
Sunday September 28
Afternoon Session (1200 local time, 1100 BST)
Round ThreeEvening Session (1800 local time, 1700 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC Europe
