Darts
Flanders Darts Trophy 2026 Predictions: Best Bets After Luke Littler Withdrawal
The Flanders Darts Trophy is wide open following the withdrawal of defending champion Luke Littler.
Wessel Nijman and Gerwyn Price head the William Hill news outright market at 6/1, while Gian van Veen at 8/1, Nathan Aspinall at 11/1 and Michael van Gerwen at 14/1 make up a strong chasing pack in Antwerp.
Tournament format
The Flanders Darts Trophy runs from Friday 11 September to Sunday 13 September in Antwerp. It is the 13th European Tour event of the season, with the race for European Championship qualification reaching a crucial stage.
Friday features the opening round, with 16 matches deciding which ProTour and qualifying players progress to face the seeded names.
The 16 seeds enter at the second-round stage on Saturday, before the third round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played on Sunday.
The first three rounds and quarter-finals are best of 11 legs, with players needing six legs to advance. Semi-finals increase to best of 13, while the final is best of 15.
The quick early formats make it possible for any player to produce an upset, but the eventual winner will need the stamina and consistency to win three matches on the final day.
Wessel Nijman – 6/1
Nijman shares favouritism at 6/1 and looks one of the most compelling picks in the field.
The Dutchman has developed into a major threat on the European Tour through his heavy scoring, rapid pace and growing composure in pressure moments.
He has the game to dominate shorter matches, which is vital in the race-to-six format.
When Nijman finds his rhythm, his ability to pile in 180s can leave even elite opponents struggling to get a look at a finish.
The absence of Littler removes the tournament’s usual standout favourite and leaves a genuine opportunity for Nijman to add another significant title to his growing résumé.
If he navigates Saturday cleanly, he has every chance of taking control of the final day.
Prediction: Wessel Nijman to win the Flanders Darts Trophy at 6/1.
Gerwyn Price – 6/1
Price is joint favourite with Nijman at 6/1 and has the pedigree to thrive in a high-intensity European Tour weekend.
His scoring ceiling remains among the best in the sport, while his competitive edge is particularly valuable in a packed arena and a short-format tournament.
His route will not be straightforward, but Price is built for pressure.
He can respond quickly to missed doubles, control the tempo and use the crowd’s energy to raise his own level. When his doubling is firing, he is one of the few players in the field capable of putting together an almost unplayable run.
At 6/1, Price represents the proven-champion route. He brings greater big-stage experience than many of his closest rivals and could punish any inconsistency from the emerging names.
Prediction: Gerwyn Price to reach the final.
Gian van Veen – 8/1
Van Veen is priced at 8/1 and shapes as the most appealing alternative to the joint favourites.
The Dutchman’s game has moved up another level, with his scoring now consistently good enough to challenge the very best.
He combines power scoring with a calm, measured approach on the doubles.
That makes him well suited to a weekend where early matches can turn on one missed dart and Sunday requires players to reset quickly after every round.
At 8/1, Van Veen offers a little more value than the two market leaders without sacrificing much in terms of title potential.
He has the ability to beat any player in the draw and is an excellent selection for anyone looking beyond the shortest prices.
Prediction: Gian van Veen to reach the semi-finals.
Nathan Aspinall – 11/1
Aspinall is an experienced contender at 11/1.
He may not always match the top names for pure scoring, but his fighting qualities, finishing under pressure and ability to manage scrappy matches make him dangerous in European Tour formats.
The Asp is often at his best when matches become tense.
He is comfortable playing from behind, thrives on the emotional side of competition and has repeatedly shown the ability to win key legs when the pressure is highest.
Eleven-to-one is a fair price for a player with genuine winning experience and a route to the latter stages if the draw opens up. He is a strong option for a semi-final or final run.
Prediction: Nathan Aspinall to reach the semi-finals.
