Littler Leads Star-Studded Line-Up as Poland Darts Masters Returns to Gliwice

The 2025 Superbet Poland Darts Masters kicks off on Friday evening in Gliwice, with reigning champion Luke Littler aiming to secure back-to-back titles in front of what promises to be another electric crowd at the PreZero Arena.

Following World Series events in Bahrain, Den Bosch, Copenhagen, and New York, the focus now shifts to Poland for the fifth event on this year’s international darts calendar. The 16-player tournament will see eight top-ranked PDC stars go head-to-head with eight of Eastern Europe’s most promising talents across two days of high-stakes action, culminating in Saturday’s Finals Night.

Fresh off a spectacular debut in 2024, Littler returns to the site of one of his earliest World Series triumphs. Last year, the teenage sensation defeated Peter Wright, Michael Smith, and Rob Cross in a stunning run that ended with him lifting the trophy in Gliwice. He opens his title defence with a first-round matchup against Czech Republic number one Karel Sedláček, who recently led his nation to a historic quarter-final finish at the World Cup of Darts.

“Winning this title last year was a massive moment for me,” Littler said ahead of the tournament. “It’s such a great event, and I loved playing in Poland. Hopefully, I can find that form again and give the crowd something to cheer about. The first game is always the most important – it sets the tone.”

Joining Littler at the top of the bill is Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen, who lifted the Poland Darts Masters trophy in 2023 with a series of breathtaking performances. Van Gerwen posted a tournament average of over 106 in Warsaw that year, and after returning to the stage in New York last weekend, he’ll be eager to rediscover his ruthless best. He opens against Croatian debutant Pero Ljubić, one of four players making their first Poland Darts Masters appearance.

Friday’s first round will be loaded with regional flavour, as five Polish representatives look to impress on home turf. Leading the charge is Poland’s number one Krzysztof Ratajski, who will take on in-form Welshman Jonny Clayton in what promises to be one of the ties of the night.

Ratajski recently returned to the winner’s circle with a Players Championship title and is relishing the chance to compete in front of a home crowd once again. “It means everything to play here,” said Ratajski. “Winning this event in Poland would mean more to me than any other title in my career.”

Clayton, meanwhile, has bounced back strongly in 2025, capturing two ranking titles and re-establishing himself as one of the sport’s most consistent forces.

Ratajski’s World Cup partner Radek Szaganski also features in the line-up and will take on Nathan Aspinall, who comes into the event riding a wave of confidence after reaching the final of the US Darts Masters last weekend. “I feel like myself again,” Aspinall said. “I truly believe I’m one of the top players in the world right now.”

Top seed Stephen Bunting – arguably the standout player on this year’s World Series tour – begins his campaign against Poland’s Tytus Kanik. Bunting has already lifted titles in Bahrain and Copenhagen and reached another final in Den Bosch, showcasing his consistency on the international stage.

Former World Champion Rob Cross will look to rebound from a first-round exit in New York when he faces Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk, while Gerwyn Price, a three-time World Series title winner, meets Sebastian Bialecki, one of Poland’s brightest young stars.

Completing the first-round matchups is Chris Dobey, the world number six, who makes his Poland Darts Masters debut against Hungarian qualifier György Jehirszki in the tournament’s opening match.

With eight top-tier PDC players, five home favourites, and a packed crowd expected in Gliwice, the stage is set for another memorable chapter in the World Series of Darts. The first round will unfold on Friday night, before the tournament concludes with a blockbuster Saturday session featuring the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final.

Littler Leads Star-Studded Line-Up as Poland Darts Masters Returns to Gliwice

Draw Bracket

(1) Stephen Bunting v Tytus Kanik

Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski

(4) Nathan Aspinall v Radek Szaganski

Luke Littler v Kareł Sedlacek

(2) Gerwyn Price v Sebastian Białecki

Chris Dobey v Gyorgy Jehirszki

(3) Rob Cross v Krzysztof Kciuk

Michael van Gerwen v Pero Ljubic

Schedule of Play

Friday July 4 (1900 CEST, 1800 BST)

First Round

Chris Dobey v Gyorgy Jehirszki

Gerwyn Price v Sebastian Bialecki

Rob Cross v Krzysztof Kciuk

Michael van Gerwen v Pero Ljubic

Stephen Bunting v Tytus Kanik

Luke Littler v Karel Sedlacek

Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski

Nathan Aspinall v Radek Szaganski

Best of 11 legs

Saturday July 5 (1900 CEST, 1800 BST)

Quarter-Finals

Best of 11 legs

Semi-Finals

Best of 13 legs

Final

Best of 15 legs