Poland Darts Masters 2025: Everything You Need to Know About This Weekend's Chaos in Gliwice

By Lewis Barnett 4 July, 2025 4 mins read 25 Views

Honestly? I'm still recovering from last weekend's US Darts Masters drama.

But here we are again - the Poland Darts Masters is happening July 4-5 in Gliwice, and Luke "The Nuke" Littler is back to defend his crown. Poor kid probably hasn't even unpacked from New York yet, where Nathan Aspinall knocked him out in the quarters. That's gotta sting when you're used to steamrolling everyone.

The PreZero Arena is hosting 16 of the world's best throwers, and after watching Littler demolish Rob Cross 8-3 in last year's final, I'm curious to see if lightning strikes twice. Cross is back for revenge, naturally.

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Wait, When Is This Thing Again?

Friday July 4th kicks off the first round and quarters. Saturday July 5th wraps everything up with semis and the final.

Format's pretty standard - first round and quarters are best of 11 (first to six legs), semis bump up to best of 13 (first to seven), and the final goes best of 15 (first to eight). Nothing too crazy there.

One interesting note: Luke Humphries, who just won in New York, decided to skip Poland entirely. Smart move or missed opportunity? We'll find out.

How to Actually Watch This Madness

Good news for us broke folks - it's completely FREE on ITV4 and ITVX. No subscription nonsense, just need that TV license.

If you're one of those PDCTV subscribers (and honestly, props to you for supporting the sport), you can stream it there too. Otherwise, ITV's got you covered with full live coverage.

I'll probably end up watching on my phone during lunch breaks like some kind of degenerate.

The Cast of Characters

The lineup is pretty stacked, not gonna lie.

Your PDC heavy hitters include Littler, Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, Cross, Chris Dobey, Gerwyn Price, and Michael van Gerwen. That's a murderer's row right there.

Then you've got the Eastern European contingent - six Tour Card holders led by Poland's own Krzysztof Ratajski (who I still can't pronounce correctly after three years of trying). Sebastian Bialecki, Tytus Kanik, and Radek Szaganski are representing the home crowd, plus Pero Ljubic from Croatia and Karel Sedlacek from Czech Republic.

Two more Eastern Europe qualifiers round out the field: Gyorgy Jehirszki from Hungary and Poland's Krzysztof Kciuk.

What Actually Happens When

Friday's first round matchups are still being sorted out (classic PDC organization), but we know Stephen Bunting, Aspinall, Price, and Cross are all in action.

Saturday's where things get spicy - quarters in the afternoon, then semis and final to close it out.

Here's what I'm watching for: Can Littler bounce back from that Aspinall loss? Will the Polish crowd give their guys enough of a boost to cause an upset? And honestly, is van Gerwen finally ready to add another title to his collection?

My prediction? Littler's too good and too young to let one bad result derail him. But Cross has been waiting a full year for this rematch...

Should be fun. Or a complete disaster. Either way, I'll be watching.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

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.

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.

Statistics

The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).

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How To

Taking Your Game Public

Playing at home is one thing; throwing in a crowded, noisy bar is another beast entirely. My first league night was a disaster—I couldn't focus with people walking behind me and the pressure of teammates watching. Now I wear headphones with low music between throws and have a specific pre-throw routine to center myself.