The World Grand Prix will be staged at Leicester's iconic Mattioli Arena, kicking off on September 28 with live coverage on Sky Sports. This tournament is distinctive in the darts calendar because every leg must both start and finish on a double or the bullseye, adding an extra layer of strategic complexity for the competitors. A field of thirty-two players has been assembled, comprising the top sixteen on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder together with the highest‑ranked sixteen from the ProTour who have not yet secured qualification.
These athletes will vie for the prestigious double‑start title and a newly increased top prize of £150,000. Defending champion Luke Littler will headline the event in his home city, seeking to retain the trophy after his breakthrough victory last year. Littler’s presence adds a compelling narrative, as he will face a line‑up that includes several former champions and rising stars. Among the challengers, 2023 champion Luke Humphries is back to chase a second World Grand Prix crown.
The Dutch number one, Gian van Veen, returns to the arena where he set a record average in a previous final, only to fall short against Littler. Their potential clash promises high‑quality darts and a dramatic storyline.
Veteran six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen and two‑time winner James Wade are also on the card, bringing experience and a reputation for delivering under pressure. The Welsh duo of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton—who lifted the title in 2020 and 2021 respectively—will add further firepower to the competition. Northern Irish standout Josh Rock, who has been climbing the rankings rapidly, and two‑time semi‑finalist Danny Noppert will be in the mix, while former finalists Stephen Bunting and Wessel Nijman make a return to Leicester, hoping to improve on their past performances.
The first round match‑ups are as follows: 1. Luke Littler vs Luke Woodhouse (seed 16) 2. Nathan Aspinall vs Kevin Doets (seed 8) 3.
Danny Noppert vs Niko Springer (seed 9) 4. Michael van Gerwen vs Ryan Joyce (seed 4) 5.
Gerwyn Price vs Sebastian Bialecki (seed 13) 6. Ross Smith vs Cameron Menzies (seed 5) 7.
Jonny Clayton vs Krzysztof Ratajski (seed 12) 8. Wessel Nijman vs Rob Cross (seed 2) 9.
Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall (seed 15) 10. Chris Dobey vs Jermaine Wattimena (seed 7) 11.
Josh Rock vs Niels Zonneveld (seed 10) 12. Gary Anderson vs Damon Heta (seed 3) 13.
Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode (seed 14) 14. Ryan Searle vs William O'Connor (seed 6) 15. James Wade vs Joe Cullen (seed 11) 16.
Stephen Bunting vs Andrew Gilding (unseeded) The schedule is packed across a week of intense competition: Monday, 28 September – 6 pm onward – Round One features the eight opening matches listed above, with the arena buzzing as fans witness the first double‑start battles. Tuesday, 29 September – 6 pm onward – The remaining eight Round One fixtures commence, completing the field for the second round. Wednesday, 30 September – 7 pm onward – Round Two begins. The exact order of play is still to be confirmed, but anticipated pairings include Littler/Woodhouse versus Aspinall/Doets, Noppert/Springer against Van Gerwen/Joyce, Price/Bialecki against Smith/Menzies, and Clayton/Ratajski against Nijman/Cross.
Thursday, 1 October – 7 pm onward – The second round continues with the other half of the bracket. Expected match‑ups feature Humphries/Chisnall versus Dobey/Wattimena, Rock/Zonneveld versus Anderson/Heta, Van Veen/Van Duijvenbode versus Searle/O'Connor, and Wade/Cullen versus Bunting/Gilding. Friday, 2 October – 7 pm onward – Quarter‑finals. The eight survivors will compete for a place in the semi‑finals, with each leg still demanding a double start and finish.
Saturday, 3 October – 8 pm onward – Semi‑finals. The remaining four players will battle for the coveted spot in the final, and the atmosphere at Mattioli Arena is expected to reach a fever pitch. Sunday, 4 October – 8 pm onward – The Grand Final. The champion will be crowned, taking home the £150,000 prize and the prestige of mastering the double‑start format.
Fans are encouraged to watch the tournament live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every session from the opening night on September 28 through to the climactic final on October 4. For the best viewing experience, the broadcaster recommends using the Chrome browser to access an optimized video player. The World Grand Prix continues to be a highlight of the darts calendar, not only because of its unique double‑start requirement but also due to the high caliber of participants and the substantial prize fund. Whether you are a longtime follower of the sport or a newcomer drawn by the drama of sudden‑death legs, this week‑long showdown promises unforgettable moments, high‑scoring fireworks, and the chance to witness a new champion emerge or a reigning title‑holder defend his crown with authority.