Darts Cash Bonanza: European Grand Prix 2025 Offers Life-Changing Prize Money

By Lewis Barnett 2 May, 2025 5 mins read 45 Views

I've been following the darts circuit since my uncle dragged me to a local tournament back in 2016. Never thought I'd become this obsessed, but here we are. The European Darts Grand Prix is literally days away, and I'm already calculating how many beers I can afford at the pub while watching.

Let's talk cash. Because honestly, that's what these players are sweating for (besides the glory and all that jazz).

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Show Me The Money!

Last year, Gary Anderson walked away with a cool £30,000 after beating Rob Cross 8-6 in what turned out to be an absolute nail-biter. I remember spilling my entire pint when Anderson hit that final double. Worth it though.

The Scotsman looked absolutely chuffed walking off that stage. And why wouldn't he be? Thirty grand for a weekend's work throwing pointy objects at a board. Beats my day job.

But defending that title? Not gonna be easy.

Anderson's got to somehow navigate past world number one Luke Humphries (who, between us, has been practicing like a man possessed according to my friend who works at his local venue). Then there's three-time champ Michael van Gerwen lurking in the shadows.

Nathan Aspinall and Stephen Bunting are also throwing their hats in the ring. God. This is gonna be intense.

The Complete Prize Breakdown (Warning: Might Make You Question Your Career Choices)

The total prize pot this year is £175,000. Not too shabby for a weekend in Germany.

Here's where all that cash goes:

Winner takes home £30,000 (roughly equivalent to what I make in... actually, let's not go there)

Runner-up pockets £12,000

Losing semi-finalists each get £8,500

Losing quarter-finalists receive £6,000 each

Third round losers walk away with £4,000

Second round losers earn £2,500

First round losers still get £1,250 (which would cover my rent for almost a month in London... almost)

How to Watch Without Breaking teh Bank

I've been caught out before paying for subscriptions I forget to cancel. Not this time.

You'll need PDCTV to catch all the action. A monthly subscription costs £4.99 in the UK - less than that fancy coffee I bought this morning.

If you're a proper darts fanatic (like my neighbor who has a tournament-grade board in his garage and practices at 7am on Sundays), you can commit to the annual subscription at £49.99.

Afternoon sessions kick off at 12pm BST. Evening sessions start at 6pm BST. Perfect timing to order that takeaway adn settle in for the night.

The Littler Drama That Nobody Saw Coming

Listen. The teenage sensation Luke Littler dropped some serious tea about his previous German experience. Poor kid.

After the German Darts Grand Prix in April, he revealed: "I got booed in Hildesheim last year against Peter Wright on the European Tour. I was flying and then they started booing me and I lost."

I actually watched that match with my cousin who's a massive Wright fan. Even he felt bad for the kid.

"It's something we've all got to deal with. Obviously, the Germans mustn't like us English," Littler added.

He admitted to having "a little headloss moment" which, frankly, who wouldn't? Imagine being a teenager with thousands of people actively wanting you to fail.

"I just don't get it, and I can't explain it. Obviously, you do your walk-on, but then as soon as I got on stage, I started getting booed."

The atmosphere at these German events is unlike anything else on the tour. I went to one back in 2018 and the crowd was... let's just say enthusiastic. Had to down three overpriced beers just to match their energy.

Who are you backing this weekend? I've got a tenner on Humphries, but something tells me we might see an upset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

Statistics

The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.

External Links

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Final Thoughts From a Passionate Amateur

As I'm writing this in late 2023, I'm still working on improving my own game. My current challenge is mastering the triple 19 as an alternative to the triple 20 when one gets blocked by previous darts. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks—my muscle memory fights me every step of the way!