The World Grand Prix will be staged at Leicester's Mattioli Arena, kicking off on September 28 with live coverage on Sky Sports. This tournament stands out in the darts calendar because every leg must both start and finish on a double or the bullseye, adding a layer of strategy that tests even the most seasoned competitors. A total of 32 players will contest the title.
The field is composed of the top 16 athletes from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder, joined by the highest‑ranked 16 players on the ProTour Rankings who have not yet secured a spot. These 32 contenders will vie for the prestigious double‑start format and a newly increased top prize of £150,000. Defending champion Luke Littler will headline the event in Leicester.
Littler, who captured the 2022 crown, will be looking to repeat his success on the very stage where he first made a name for himself. He will be joined by 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who is eager to add a second World Grand Prix trophy to his résumé.
Dutch number one Gian van Veen also returns to the arena, eager to improve on the record‑breaking average he posted last year when he fell short against Littler. Fans are reminded to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience, ensuring smooth streaming of every match.
The draw also features six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen and two‑time winner James Wade, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and a history of deep runs in the competition. Wales will be represented by Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the latter having lifted the title in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Northern Ireland’s top seed Josh Rock and two‑time semi‑finalist Danny Noppert will also be in the mix, while former finalists Stephen Bunting and Wessel Nijman make a return to Leicester after previous appearances.
The first‑round match‑ups are as follows: Luke Littler versus Luke Woodhouse, Nathan Aspinall against Kevin Doets, Danny Noppert meeting Niko Springer, Michael van Gerwen taking on Ryan Joyce, Gerwyn Price versus Sebastian Bialecki, Ross Smith against Cameron Menzies, Jonny Clayton facing Krzysztof Ratajski, Wessel Nijman versus Rob Cross, Luke Humphries versus Dave Chisnall, Chris Dobey against Jermaine Wattimena, Josh Rock playing Niels Zonneveld, Gary Anderson versus Damon Heta, Gian van Veen against Dirk van Duijvenbode, Ryan Searle meeting William O'Connor, James Wade versus Joe Cullen and Stephen Bunting against Andrew Gilding. Schedule details: Monday, 28 September – From 6 p.m. – Round One fixtures include Noppert vs Springer, Smith vs Menzies, Aspinall vs Doets, Clayton vs Ratajski, Price vs Bialecki, Van Gerwen vs Joyce, Littler vs Woodhouse and Nijman vs Cross. Tuesday, 29 September – From 6 p.m.
– Round One continues with Dobey vs Wattimena, Searle vs O'Connor, Rock vs Zonneveld, Wade vs Cullen, Anderson vs Heta, Van Veen vs Van Duijvenbode, Humphries vs Chisnall and Bunting vs Gilding. Wednesday, 30 September – From 7 p.m.
– Round Two (order of play to be confirmed) will feature the winners of Littler/Woodhouse against Aspinall/Doets, Noppert/Springer against Van Gerwen/Joyce, Price/Bialecki against Smith/Menzies, and Clayton/Ratajski against Nijman/Cross. Thursday, 1 October – From 7 p.m. – Round Two (order of play to be confirmed) will see Humphries/Chisnall against Dobey/Wattimena, Rock/Zonneveld against Anderson/Heta, Van Veen/Van Duijvenbode against Searle/O'Connor, and Wade/Cullen against Bunting/Gilding.
Friday, 2 October – From 7 p.m. – Quarter‑finals will determine the four players who advance to the semi‑finals. Saturday, 3 October – From 8 p.m.
– Semi‑finals will decide the two finalists. Sunday, 4 October – From 8 p.m. – The championship match will crown the World Grand Prix winner. The tournament not only offers a substantial financial reward but also carries significant ranking points, making it a crucial event for players aiming to improve their standing on the PDC circuit.
The double‑start requirement forces competitors to master both precision and timing, as missing the opening double can hand an advantage to the opponent. Throughout the week, spectators can expect high‑quality darts, dramatic comebacks, and the occasional upset, as the format tends to level the playing field.
With the likes of van Gerwen, Wade, and Price in the draw, the competition promises a blend of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, each hoping to etch their name onto the trophy. Viewers in the UK and Ireland can tune in to Sky Sports for live coverage, while international fans may access the broadcast through the Sky Sports app or partner networks. For those who prefer streaming, the official Sky Sports website will host a live feed, again best experienced via Chrome for optimal performance. In summary, the 2024 World Grand Prix in Leicester offers a compelling mix of elite talent, a unique double‑start challenge, and a lucrative prize fund.
Whether you are a die‑hard darts enthusiast or a casual viewer, the event provides ample excitement from the opening round on September 28 through to the climactic final on October 4.