Mark your calendars – from 12th to 14th September 2025, darts fans will turn their attention to AFAS Live in Amsterdam for the return of the Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals. This isn’t just another tournament on the PDC calendar – it’s the grand finale of a global series that has already taken the game from New York to Bahrain, and from Copenhagen to New Zealand. It’s where the game’s elite meet top regional talents in a knockout format that ratchets up the tension from the very first throw.
With £400,000 in prize money and £80,000 reserved for the winner, this is a tournament that every player will be taking seriously. Early rounds will see best-of-11-leg shootouts before building toward a best-of-21-leg final. It’s explosive, unpredictable and packed with drama – a true celebration of the sport’s international flair.
The 2024 World Series of Darts Finals was a coming-of-age moment for one of darts’ brightest young stars. Luke Littler, then just 17, produced a dominant display in the final to beat Michael Smith 11-4 and clinch the title in style.
Littler averaged over 105 in that final and looked every bit the heir apparent to darts’ throne. He took out some serious names on the road to the title and made it clear that his sensational World Championship debut earlier that year was no fluke.
Michael Smith, a former World Champion himself, was no pushover throughout the tournament, but he simply couldn’t keep up with the relentless scoring and clinical finishing that Littler brought to the oche that night.
Both Littler and Smith are set to return for the 2025 edition, with Littler entering as defending champion and the most dangerous player within the sport. Smith will be hunting redemption and he remains a dangerous contender when his rhythm clicks. Whether they meet again in a blockbuster rematch or crash out in earlier rounds, this will be one of the stories to watch this September.
Check out the odds on the darts with Tonybet here.
Our picks: the favourites
Let’s not kid ourselves: the bookmakers and fans are all talking about Luke Humphries, Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen. These three players are in a league of their own right now.
Humphries, currently ranked world number one, has had a near-flawless season. Not only did he bag the World Championship, but he also picked up the World Matchplay crown and showed nerves of steel at the US Darts Masters in New York. His finishing has been elite, and his scoring power is second to none.
Then there’s Luke Littler. The teenager turned superstar continues to tear up the sport. He’s the defending World Series champion after his 11-4 demolition of Michael Smith in the 2024 final, and he’s coming off a jaw-dropping win at the New Zealand Darts Masters, where he posted a 115.02 average – the highest ever in a World Series final. No one moves the needle quite like “The Nuke”, and if he’s in rhythm, he could defend his title in style.
Michael van Gerwen rounds out the trio of favourites with Tonybet. The Dutch icon will have the home crowd behind him, and while his 2025 season hasn’t been vintage MVG, you’d be brave – or foolish – to write him off. He has won this event three times before and has a knack for peaking when the lights shine brightest.
Odds will vary by market, but expect Humphries and Littler to lead the betting at 7/2 and 4/1, with Van Gerwen lurking just behind. All three are capable of lifting the trophy – and producing magic from start to finish.
Back one of the three favourites here.
Dark horses to cause an upset
Every World Series of Darts Finals brings surprises. The big names may dominate the headlines, but in years gone by, there have been many “outsiders” who shake things up – busting a few betting slips along the way. This year, there are several names flying slightly under the radar who could absolutely go deep in Amsterdam.
Michael Smith deserves top billing in this category. The 2024 runner-up and former World Champion hasn’t always been the most consistent player on the circuit, but when he’s in form, few can live with his scoring power.
His rhythm-based throw is a thing of beauty when it flows, and he has a proven ability to take out big names on the biggest stages. Smith can sometimes suffer from lapses in concentration, but if he starts strong in the early rounds, it will give him the confidence to go all the way. With the pain of last year’s 11-4 defeat to Luke Littler still fresh, you can expect him to arrive in Amsterdam fired up and focused on going one better.
Gerwyn Price is another proven champion whose recent form may have slipped in recent months but whose ceiling remains sky-high. The Iceman’s aggressive stage presence and crowd-defying confidence make him a threat in any format.
While he has not been at his absolute best in 2025, he has a knack for stepping up when the stakes are high. If he lands in a favourable part of the draw, Price could bulldoze his way into the semi-finals – and once he’s there, anything could happen.
Nathan Aspinall is the kind of gritty, streetwise player who thrives in this type of event. A former UK Open and World Matchplay winner, Aspinall brings to the table intensity, experience and underrated finishing under pressure.
He may not have Littler’s fireworks or Humphries’ polish, but he knows how to scrap through tough matches and wear opponents down. He has also been quietly putting together solid performances across the tour this year and is due a breakout moment.
Outside of these names, keep a close eye on the tour card qualifiers and international invitees. These players often arrive as unknown quantities but come with fire in the belly and nothing to lose. Recent years have seen several unseeded players cause major upsets in the early rounds – especially those fresh off strong Pro Tour form or local events.
From a betting perspective, this section of the field is where value often lies. Smith, Price and Aspinall can all be found at mid-range odds, and if you’re looking for a fun each-way punt or a hedging strategy, these players offer serious upside – particularly if they avoid the top two Lukes until the semis or final.
Fancy an outsider? Find out the odds on any of them here.
The Irish contenders
Irish darts fans will be keeping a close eye on the confirmed line-up for Amsterdam, hoping for some green representation under the bright lights of the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals.
While nothing is official just yet, there’s a strong possibility that Steve Lennon or William O’Connor – or ideally both – could earn a place.
Steve Lennon is often the quieter, more methodical figure on the oche, but don’t let that fool you. The Carlow native has demonstrated flashes of brilliance on the PDC stage, including a standout performance at the 2018 World Cup of Darts, where he and O’Connor reached the final, stunning England along the way.
Lennon’s smooth throw and calm demeanour make him a tough opponent when he finds his rhythm. He’s not the flashiest player, but his ton-plus scoring and finishing under pressure have earned him wins against some of the biggest names in the sport. While he hasn’t had a breakthrough title win yet, he’s consistently dangerous in shorter formats such as the early rounds of the World Series Finals.
Then there’s William O’Connor, known affectionately as “The Magpie”, a player who wears his heart on his sleeve and thrives on momentum. The Limerick man is a fiery competitor with a gritty edge and a passionate style that Irish fans absolutely love.
He’s been in and around the top 64 for years and, like Lennon, has a proud history of representing Ireland on the international stage. When he’s confident, O’Connor is capable of taking out anyone – he’s beaten Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright in various televised events over the years. His ability to rise to the occasion, particularly in front of a fired-up crowd, makes him a dangerous floater in any draw.
Realistically, however, neither player would be considered a favourite, and their odds to win the tournament outright will likely reflect this – but that’s exactly why they shouldn’t be ignored. In tournaments such as this, where short-format early rounds can lead to early exits for top seeds, players such as Lennon and O’Connor have the perfect opportunity to cause a stir. A run to the last 16 or even the quarter-finals is well within reach, especially if the draw is kind and their opening-round nerves settle quickly.
More importantly, a solid showing from either player – even just one headline-grabbing victory – would be a massive boost for the profile of darts across Ireland.
Our expert predictions
Based on form, recent results and historical performance, Luke Humphries is the most balanced pick. He’s been rock solid across all formats and thrives in longer matches – something that gives him the edge once the field narrows.
That said, Luke Littler is the wildcard-without-being-a-wildcard. If his form in New Zealand is anything to go by, he’s capable of blitzing anyone, even on the biggest stage. His scoring power is unmatched, and his confidence is clearly sky high.
As for the outside bets, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall offer value. They’ve got the pedigree, and if one of the top seeds gets knocked out early, the door could open for either of them.
Regardless of your strategy, make sure that you keep tabs on the latest odds and movement with Tonybet. Tonybet offers comprehensive darts markets and great value – especially when betting early before the draw is revealed. With form fluctuating and surprises inevitable, timing is everything.
