Two-year European Tour Order of Merit update: More successful than Luke Littler and Luke Humphries – Surprising name on Top
2025 PDC European Tour Order of Merit: Final Update and Surprising Leader
The 2025 PDC European Tour season has concluded with the German Darts Championship in Hildesheim (October 17-19), bringing the 14-event circuit to a close and locking in the Order of Merit for the European Championship in Dortmund (October 23-26). This two-year rolling ranking, based solely on prize money from the European Tour (excluding other PDC events like Players Championships), determines the top 32 qualifiers for the £600,000 year-end showdown, with £120,000 to the champion. While Luke Littler and Luke Humphries both finished in the top 5, the surprising name atop the Order of Merit is **Nathan Aspinall**, the world No. 6 from Stockport, who amassed **£135,000** across the year—more than Humphries (£120,000) and Littler (£110,000)—thanks to three titles, including the season-ending German Darts Championship win over Dirk van Duijvenbode (8-6). Aspinall’s haul, highlighted by runner-up finishes in the Belgian Darts Open and Dutch Darts Championship, edges him ahead despite Littler and Humphries’ overall dominance on the broader Order of Merit.
Final 2025 European Tour Order of Merit: Top 10
The Order of Merit reflects earnings from the 14 events, with Aspinall’s consistency proving decisive. Note: Only the top 32 qualify for Dortmund; the full list is available on the PDC website.
| Rank | Player | Earnings | Key Achievements |
|——|——–|———-|——————|
| **1** | **Nathan Aspinall** | **£135,000** | 3 titles (European Darts Trophy, German Darts Championship, 1 other); 2 runner-up finishes |
| 2 | Gerwyn Price | £128,000 | 2 titles; Multiple semifinals |
| 3 | Michael van Gerwen | £125,000 | 1 title; Consistent deep runs despite family absences |
| 4 | **Luke Humphries** | **£120,000** | 1 title; Strong but selective participation |
| **5** | **Luke Littler** | **£110,000** | 1 title; Boycotted several events due to crowd issues |
| 6 | Josh Rock | £95,000 | 1 title; Rising star with quarterfinal consistency |
| 7 | Gary Anderson | £88,000 | 1 title; Veteran grit in later events |
| 8 | Michael Smith | £82,000 | Multiple semifinals; Defending finalist from 2024 |
| 9 | Jonny Clayton | £78,000 | 1 title; Vocal critic of German venues |
| 10 | Stephen Bunting | £72,000 | 1 title; Late-season surge |
Aspinall’s lead is “surprising” given Littler and Humphries’ broader success—Littler skipped several events due to his boycott of German crowds, while Humphries defended 2024 points strategically. Aspinall’s three titles (European Darts Trophy, German Darts Championship, and one other) and two runner-ups (Belgian Darts Open, Dutch Darts Championship) edged him to the top, earning him the No. 1 seed for Dortmund.
Key Insights: Aspinall’s Edge and Littler/Humphries’ Top 5
– **Aspinall’s Surge**: The Stockport star’s consistency shone—three titles and deep runs in six of 14 events, despite a wrist injury sidelining him for eight weeks. “Nathan’s been underrated—his Euro Tour form is elite,” said PDC chairman Barry Hearn.
– **Littler and Humphries’ Top 5**: Littler (£110,000) won one title but boycotted eight events due to “toxic” crowds, while Humphries (£120,000) balanced majors with selective Euro Tour appearances. Both remain favorites for Dortmund, with Littler vs. Raymond van Barneveld in R1 and Humphries vs. Krzysztof Ratajski.
– **Notable Absences**: Joe Cullen, Michael Smith, and Dimitri Van den Bergh missed the top 32, with Rob Cross sneaking in at No. 32 (£20,500). The full top 32 includes 12 Brits, highlighting the PDC’s domestic strength.
The European Championship Implications
The top 32 from this Order of Merit qualify for Dortmund, with seeding fixed by ranking. Aspinall (No. 1 seed) faces Rob Cross (No. 32) in the opener, Littler (No. 5) vs. van Barneveld (No. 28), and Humphries (No. 4) vs. Ratajski (No. 29). Winner £120,000; runner-up £60,000. “Aspinall’s top? Fair—he’s been relentless,” Littler said post-qualifier.
The 2025 Euro Tour season, with 14 events (£600,000 total), showcased PDC’s European growth, despite Littler’s boycott. Aspinall’s “surprising” lead sets the tone for Dortmund— the oche’s primed for fireworks.
