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, a rule that adds a unique strategic layer to each match. A field of thirty-two competitors has been assembled, comprising the top sixteen players from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder and the next sixteen highest‑ranked performers on the ProTour Rankings who have not yet secured a spot.
These players will vie for the coveted double‑start title and a significantly increased top prize of £150,000. Defending champion Luke Littler will headline the event in Leicester, looking to repeat his triumph from the previous year. Littler's successful defence will be closely watched, especially as he faces a strong lineup that includes former champion Luke Humphries, who is also chasing his second World Grand Prix crown.
Dutch number one Gian van Veen returns to the arena where he set a record average last season, only to fall short against Littler in the final. Fans are reminded to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience when streaming the matches.
Six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen and two‑time winner James Wade are also slated to compete, adding further star power to the tournament. Wales will be represented by Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the latter having lifted the trophy in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Northern Ireland's top player Josh Rock and seasoned semi‑finalist Danny Noppert will also be in the mix, while Stephen Bunting and Wessel Nijman make returns to Leicester after previous appearances. The first‑round draw features a series of compelling match‑ups: - Luke Littler vs Luke Woodhouse (seed 16) - Nathan Aspinall vs Kevin Doets (seed 8) - Danny Noppert vs Niko Springer (seed 9) - Michael van Gerwen vs Ryan Joyce (seed 4) - Gerwyn Price vs Sebastian Bialecki (seed 13) - Ross Smith vs Cameron Menzies (seed 5) - Jonny Clayton vs Krzysztof Ratajski (seed 12) - Wessel Nijman vs Rob Cross (seed 2) - Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall (seed 15) - Chris Dobey vs Jermaine Wattimena (seed 7) - Josh Rock vs Niels Zonneveld (seed 10) - Gary Anderson vs Damon Heta (seed 3) - Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode (seed 14) - Ryan Searle vs William O'Connor (seed 6) - James Wade vs Joe Cullen (seed 11) - Stephen Bunting vs Andrew Gilding (unseeded) Schedule details are as follows: Monday, 28 September – 6 pm onward (Round One) – Matches 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 – 6 pm onward (Round One) – Featuring 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 – 7 pm onward (Round Two – order of play to be confirmed) – Expected pairings: Littler/Woodhouse vs Aspinall/Doets, Noppert/Springer vs Van Gerwen/Joyce, Price/Bialecki vs Smith/Menzies, Clayton/Ratajski vs Nijman/Cross. Thursday, 1 October – 7 pm onward (Round Two – order of play to be confirmed) – Anticipated clashes: Humphries/Chisnall vs Dobey/Wattimena, Rock/Zonneveld vs Anderson/Heta, Van Veen/Van Duijvenbode vs Searle/O'Connor, Wade/Cullen vs Bunting/Gilding. Friday, 2 October – 7 pm onward (Quarter‑Finals) – The eight survivors will compete for a place in the semi‑finals. Saturday, 3 October – 8 pm onward (Semi‑Finals) – Four players will battle for the coveted final slot.
Sunday, 4 October – 8 pm onward (Final) – The championship match will determine who lifts the World Grand Prix trophy and claims the £150,000 winner's share. Viewers can tune in to Sky Sports for live coverage from the opening night on September 28 through to the grand finale on October 4. The tournament not only offers a substantial financial incentive but also the prestige of mastering the double‑start format, a challenge that separates the elite from the rest of the field. With a blend of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and the defending champion eager to cement his legacy, the 2024 World Grand Prix promises high drama, exceptional skill, and unforgettable moments for darts enthusiasts worldwide.