The World Grand Prix darts tournament will be staged at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, kicking off on 28 September with live coverage on Sky Sports. This competition stands out on the darts calendar because every leg must both start and finish on a double or the bullseye, a rule that adds a unique tactical twist to each match.
A total of 32 competitors will take part. The field is composed of the top 16 players from the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder, together with the highest‑ranked 16 players on the ProTour Rankings who have not already qualified.
All of these athletes will be vying for the prestigious double‑start title and a significantly increased top prize of £150,000. Defending champion Luke Littler will headline the event in his home city, looking to hold onto the trophy he captured last year.
Littler’s presence adds a local flavour to the tournament, and fans will be eager to see whether he can repeat his success against a stacked roster of elite talent. Also in the draw is 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who will be chasing a second World Grand Prix crown.
The Englishman has already proven his ability to thrive under the double‑start format, and his experience could prove decisive as the competition progresses. The Dutch contingent will be represented by number one Gian van Veen, who returns to the Mattioli Arena after setting a record‑breaking average there in the previous edition, although he fell short of the title when he was bested by Littler. Van Veen will be eager to improve on that performance and add the Grand Prix trophy to his growing list of achievements.
Six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen and two‑time winner James Wade will also be featured, bringing a wealth of experience and a history of success in high‑pressure matches. Their participation ensures that the tournament will showcase some of the most recognizable names in modern darts. Welsh stars Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the 2020 and 2021 champions respectively, round out the list of past winners. Both players have demonstrated a knack for handling the double‑start requirement, and they will be looking to add another title to their résumés.
Northern Irish number one Josh Rock, who has been making waves on the circuit, will also be present, as will two‑time semi‑finalist Danny Noppert. Returning to Leicester are Stephen Bunting and Wessel Nijman, both of whom have enjoyed strong showings in previous editions and will be hoping to make deep runs this year. The first‑round match‑ups have already been published, offering a glimpse of the early battles that will set the tone for the week.
Highlights include the opening clash between defending champion Luke Littler and Luke Woodhouse, as well as a showdown between Michael van Gerwen and Ryan Joyce. Other notable first‑round fixtures feature Jonny Clayton versus Krzysztof Ratajski, Gerwyn Price against Sebastian Bialecki, and a tightly contested pairing of Gary Anderson with Damon Heta. The schedule is laid out over seven days: Monday, 28 September – Round One begins at 6 pm, featuring matches such as Danny Noppert vs Niko Springer, Ross Smith vs Cameron Menzies, Nathan Aspinall vs Kevin Doets, Jonny Clayton vs Krzysztof Ratajski, Gerwyn Price vs Sebastian Bialecki, Michael van Gerwen vs Ryan Joyce, Luke Littler vs Luke Woodhouse and Wessel Nijman vs Rob Cross.
Tuesday, 29 September – The second batch of Round One matches starts at 6 pm, with Chris Dobey taking on Jermaine Wattimena, Ryan Searle versus William O'Connor, Josh Rock vs Niels Zonneveld, James Wade vs Joe Cullen, Gary Anderson vs Damon Heta, Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode, Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting vs Andrew Gilding. Wednesday, 30 September – Round Two kicks off at 7 pm. The exact order of play is still to be confirmed, but the line‑up includes the winners of Littler/Woodhouse versus Aspinall/Doets, Noppert/Springer versus Van Gerwen/Joyce, Price/Bialecki versus Smith/Menzies, and Clayton/Ratajski versus Nijman/Cross.
Thursday, 1 October – The second round continues from 7 pm. Again, the order of play will be announced later, with match‑ups such as 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 – The quarter‑finals are scheduled for a 7 pm start, narrowing the field to eight players who have survived the double‑start gauntlet.
Saturday, 3 October – Semi‑final action begins at 8 pm, setting the stage for the final two competitors who will vie for the title. Sunday, 4 October – The Grand Prix final is slated for an 8 pm start, concluding a week of intense darts and crowning the new champion. Fans can watch every match live on Sky Sports throughout the tournament, and the broadcaster recommends using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. The World Grand Prix promises a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, all competing under the demanding double‑start rule that tests precision, composure, and strategic acumen.
Whether you are a longtime follower of the sport or a newcomer, the event offers a compelling showcase of world‑class darts that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from the opening leg on September 28 until the climactic final on October 4.