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2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy predictions: Josh Rock's time to shine? | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 5:35 GMT by Sporting News
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Josh Rock Forecasts the 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy – A Look at the Field, the Format, and the Possible Winners

The 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy, the newest addition to the Professional Darts Corporation’s European Tour circuit, is slated to take place at the historic Vörösmarty Theatre in Budapest from June 14‑16. The event promises a prize fund of £140,000, with the winner taking home £25,000 and 30 ranking points to help players climb the PDC Order of Merit. It is the first time the European Tour has landed in Central‑Eastern Europe, giving the tournament a unique cultural backdrop and an enthusiastic local fan base that has shown a growing interest in the sport.

For the second straight year, the tournament’s preview features a high‑profile pundit in the form of young England talent Josh Rock. The 23‑year‑old, who turned professional in 2022, is celebrated for his rapid rise on the Pro Tour, his 13‑year‑old world ranking record and, most recently, a surprise quarter‑final appearance at the 2024 German Darts Championship. In his piece, “2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy Predictions – Josh Rock”, the British player breaks down the event’s field, explains the format, and shares his educated guesses on who might lift the trophy.

The Tournament Format and Qualifiers

The Hungarian Darts Trophy follows the traditional 48‑player format used at all European Tour events. The top 16 seeded players in the PDC Order of Merit automatically qualify and receive byes into the second round. These seeds usually comprise the cream of the crop – Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, James Wade, Daryl Gurney, and a handful of other top‑50 names. The remaining 32 spots are filled through a mix of UK, European, and local qualifiers.

Rock points out that the local qualifiers have historically been a wildcard element in the tournament. In 2024, Hungarian hopefuls László Kósa and Gábor Hódik reached the last 16, providing a narrative that “home‑grown talent can disrupt the elite hierarchy if they hit their form.” He notes that the 2025 event will feature a similar local qualifying session, giving local fans an extra reason to turn out in droves.

A Deep‑Cutting Look at the Seeds

While the tournament’s top seeds are widely expected to dominate, Rock offers a nuanced take on each contender’s current form, recent results, and playing style.

• Gerwyn Price – The world champion is in the prime of his career. Rock highlights Price’s recent title at the 2024 UK Open and his consistent high averages during the World Series of Darts. “Price is a man of great confidence and a very high checkout rate. If he stays focused, he is the obvious favorite,” Rock writes.

• Michael van Gerwen – Despite being in the twilight of his career, van Gerwen remains a force. Rock refers to the Dutch legend’s stellar comeback at the 2024 European Championship, where he posted an average of 106.6. “The only risk is if he falls into his old slump in the early stages, but he has the temperament to recover,” Rock notes.

• Jonny Clayton – Clayton has shown a steady climb in recent years. After a semi‑final at the 2024 European Tour in Prague, he was averaging 98.4 points per finish. “His precision on high‑level stages is hard to beat,” Rock observes, giving Clayton a nod for a potential breakthrough win.

• James Wade – Wade’s classic “big‑hand” style is a match‑winner on the board. He made a deep run in the 2024 World Matchplay, where he defeated both Van Gerwen and Price on the way to the final. Rock predicts Wade may rely on his mental resilience to outlast the big names.

• Daryl Gurney – Gurney is a seasoned veteran with a reputation for high averages in the early rounds. Rock notes his recent performance at the 2024 German Darts Championship, where he posted an average of 100.7. “Gurney has always been a late‑stage threat, and if he can get his first‑leg advantage early, he could be a serious challenger,” Rock writes.

Beyond the top 16, the article highlights a few “dark horses” who could steal the show:

• Luke Humphries – With a 2024 PDC Players Championship win and an average above 105 in his last three tournaments, Humphries has the skill set to upset any top seed.

• Joe Cullen – Known for his aggressive 180‑rate and high checkouts, Cullen’s momentum from the 2024 UK Open could carry him through the early rounds.

• Kyle Bennett – Though he’s largely a journeyman, Bennett’s recent surge in the 2024 Q‑School qualifiers shows he is not to be dismissed.

The Importance of the Hungarian Stage

Rock explains why the Hungarian venue adds an extra layer of intrigue. The local crowd, described as “the most enthusiastic yet in the European Tour”, is known for creating a “house‑on” atmosphere that can tilt matches. “The pressure on the big names is higher than usual, and local qualifiers have the advantage of familiarity with the venue and the support,” Rock comments. He cites the 2024 edition where local players Kósa and Hódik made headlines, suggesting that this dynamic may continue in 2025.

Predictions and Takeaway

Josh Rock’s final prediction leans heavily toward Gerwyn Price, but he acknowledges that the tournament is wide open. He states: “While Price is the clear favorite, a win for anyone else would be historic.” Rock also expresses excitement about the younger generation’s potential to upset established names, citing Luke Humphries and Joe Cullen as key threats.

The article concludes with a call to action for fans: “If you’re a darts enthusiast, don’t miss the opportunity to watch some of the world’s best players compete on the grand Budapest stage. The 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy is going to be a thrilling event.”

Additional Resources

• [ PDC Official Page – 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy ] – Detailed fixture list, prize fund breakdown, and player profiles.
• [ Josh Rock’s PDC Profile ] – Career highlights, recent results, and statistics.
• [ 2024 Hungarian Darts Trophy Recap ] – A look back at the first edition, featuring local qualifiers’ performance.

The Hungarian Darts Trophy’s inaugural year set a strong precedent, and Josh Rock’s predictions for 2025 underline the event’s growing importance on the global darts calendar. Whether the tournament will see another powerhouse claim the title or a fresh face rise from the crowd remains to be seen – but the anticipation for this unique European Tour event is already palpable.