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 on the darts calendar because every leg must both start and finish on a double or the bullseye, a rule that adds an extra layer of difficulty and excitement for players and fans alike. A total of 32 competitors will line up for the event.
The field is composed of the top sixteen performers from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder, together with the sixteen highest‑ranked players on the ProTour Rankings who have not yet secured a spot. These thirty‑two darts specialists will battle for the prestigious double‑start title and a significantly increased top prize of £150,000. Defending champion Luke Littler will headline the competition in Leicester. Littler, who captured the 2024 title, is back to try and hold onto the trophy and the sizable prize fund.
He will be joined by 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who is also eager to add a second World Grand Prix crown to his résumé. Dutch number one Gian van Veen returns to the arena where he set a record average last year, a night that ended in defeat to Littler, and he will be looking to reverse that outcome. Six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen and two‑time winner James Wade are also on the roster, bringing a wealth of experience and past success to the tournament. The Welsh pair Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, who lifted the title in 2020 and 2021 respectively, will be looking to add another victory to their impressive careers.
Northern Irish world number one Josh Rock and two‑time semi‑finalist Danny Noppert have also qualified, while Stephen Bunting and Wessel Nijman are making their returns to the Leicester stage after previous appearances. The first round match‑ups are as follows: Luke Littler vs Luke Woodhouse, Nathan Aspinall vs Kevin Doets, Danny Noppert vs Niko Springer, Michael van Gerwen vs Ryan Joyce, Gerwyn Price vs Sebastian Bialecki, Ross Smith vs Cameron Menzies, Jonny Clayton vs Krzysztof Ratajski, Wessel Nijman vs Rob Cross, Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall, Chris Dobey vs Jermaine Wattimena, Josh Rock vs Niels Zonneveld, Gary Anderson vs Damon Heta, Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode, Ryan Searle vs William O'Connor, James Wade vs Joe Cullen, and Stephen Bunting vs Andrew Gilding. The schedule is packed across a week of intense competition.
On Monday, September 28, the opening round begins at 6 p.m., featuring match‑ups such as Noppert versus Springer, Smith against Menzies, Aspinall versus Doets, Clayton versus Ratajski, Price versus Bialecki, Van Gerwen versus Joyce, Littler versus Woodhouse, and Nijman versus Cross. Tuesday, September 29, also starting at 6 p.m., sees Dobey take on Wattimena, Searle versus O'Connor, Rock versus Zonneveld, Wade versus Cullen, Anderson versus Heta, Van Veen versus Van Duijvenbode, Humphries versus Chisnall, and Bunting versus Gilding. Wednesday, September 30, the second round commences at 7 p.m.
(exact order of play to be confirmed). Potential pairings include the winner of Littler/Woodhouse facing the victor of Aspinall/Doets, Noppert/Springer taking on Van Gerwen/Joyce, Price/Bialecki meeting Smith/Menzies, and Clayton/Ratajski against Nijman/Cross.
Thursday, October 1, also at 7 p.m., continues the second round with Humphries/Chisnall possibly meeting Dobey/Wattimena, Rock/Zonneveld against Anderson/Heta, Van Veen/Van Duijvenbode versus Searle/O'Connor, and Wade/Cullen against Bunting/Gilding. The quarter‑finals are slated for Friday, October 2, beginning at 7 p.m., followed by the semi‑finals on Saturday, October 3, kicking off at 8 p.m. The climax of the tournament, the final, will be broadcast from 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 4.
Fans can watch every match live on Sky Sports throughout the week, with the option to stream via the Sky Sports app or website. For the best viewing experience, the provider recommends using the Chrome browser, which offers a more accessible video player and smoother playback. The World Grand Prix’s double‑start format demands precision right from the first dart of each leg, as players must hit a double or the bullseye to begin scoring. This rule often leads to dramatic swings in momentum, with early misses putting pressure on even the most seasoned competitors.
It also rewards players with strong finishing skills, making the tournament a true test of all‑round ability. With a field packed with former champions, rising stars, and seasoned veterans, the 2024 World Grand Prix promises a week of high‑octane darts action. Whether you are a long‑time follower of the sport or a newcomer drawn by the unique format, the competition in Leicester offers plenty of storylines to follow—from Littler’s title defence to van Gerwen’s quest for another major win, and the emergence of new talent like Gian van Veen looking to cement his place among the elite. All matches will be played on the arena’s 23‑foot dartboard, adhering to PDC standards, and the venue will host a vibrant atmosphere with fans cheering throughout each round.
Ticket holders can expect a lively crowd, while those watching from home will enjoy high‑definition coverage, expert commentary, and in‑depth analysis of each player’s performance. In summary, the World Grand Prix in Leicester is set to deliver a thrilling week of darts, featuring a distinctive double‑start challenge, a lucrative £150,000 top prize, and a lineup of the sport’s biggest names. Mark your calendars for September 28 through October 4, tune in via Sky Sports, and witness the drama unfold as the world’s best darts players compete for one of the most coveted titles on the PDC circuit.