The 2026 World Grand Prix, staged in Leicester, delivered a dramatic opening night as the defending champion, Luke Littler, suffered an unexpected first‑round loss, ending his bid to retain the double‑in, double‑out crown. The tournament, broadcast live in its entirety on Sky Sports, is distinguished by its requirement that every leg must both start and finish on a double or the bullseye, a rule that adds a layer of strategic depth and pressure not found in other PDC events. The prize fund for this year’s Grand Prix totals £750,000, with the champion set to pocket £150,000 and the runner‑up receiving a substantial £80,000.
The financial stakes, combined with the unique format, make the competition a highlight of the darts calendar. One of the biggest stories of the opening round was the early departure of Michael van Gerwen, who was eliminated by Ryan Joyce in a stunning first‑round upset.
Shortly thereafter, another surprise unfolded as Luke Littler, who entered the tournament as the defending champion, was knocked out by Luke Woodhouse, also on the opening night. These upsets set the tone for a tournament filled with unpredictability and high‑quality play. The draw for the second round, which moves to a best‑of‑five‑sets structure, featured several intriguing match‑ups: - Danny Noppert versus Ryan Joyce - Jonny Clayton versus Wessel Nijman - Gerwyn Price versus Ross Smith - Luke Woodhouse versus Nathan Aspinall Additional second‑round pairings included: - Luke Humphries versus Jermaine Wattimena - Niels Zonneveld versus Gary Anderson - Gian van Veen versus Ryan Searle - James Wade versus Stephen Bunting The tournament then progressed to the quarter‑finals, which continue under the best‑of‑five‑sets format, before advancing to the semi‑finals, where the contest expands to a best‑of‑nine‑sets battle.
The final, the culmination of the event, is contested over a best‑of‑eleven‑sets format, ensuring that the eventual champion must demonstrate both stamina and consistency across a prolonged series of legs. Below is a detailed recap of the first‑round results, all of which were played as best‑of‑three‑sets matches: - Danny Noppert defeated Niko Springer 2‑1 - Ross Smith edged Cameron Menzies 2‑1 - Nathan Aspinall beat Kevin Doets 2‑1 - Jonny Clayton overcame Krzysztof Ratajski 2‑1 - Gerwyn Price dispatched Sebastian Bialecki 2‑0 - Michael van Gerwen fell to Ryan Joyce 1‑2 - Luke Littler was upset by Luke Woodhouse 1‑2 - Wessel Nijman beat Rob Cross 2‑0 In the other half of the draw: - Chris Dobey lost to Jermaine Wattimena 0‑2 - Ryan Searle triumphed over William O'Connor 2‑1 - Josh Rock was defeated by Niels Zonneveld 1‑2 - James Wade beat Joe Cullen 2‑1 - Gary Anderson overcame Damon Heta 2‑1 - Gian van Veen defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode 2‑0 - Luke Humphries beat Dave Chisnall 2‑0 - Stephen Bunting edged Andrew Gilding 2‑1 The World Grand Prix’s double‑in, double‑out requirement makes it a singular event on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) calendar.
Players must first hit a double or the bullseye before they can begin scoring, and they must also finish each leg on a double, demanding precise aiming and a strong mental game from the very first dart. The format’s set structure varies as the tournament progresses. The opening round uses a best‑of‑three‑sets format, allowing for quick, high‑stakes encounters. The second and third rounds shift to best‑of‑five‑sets, giving competitors a slightly longer canvas to assert dominance.
The semi‑finals extend to best‑of‑nine‑sets, and the final culminates in a best‑of‑eleven‑sets showdown, ensuring that the champion must sustain peak performance over an extended period. Fans looking to watch the action should consider using the Chrome browser for an optimal video player experience, as recommended by the broadcasters. Sky Sports continues to be the primary home for darts coverage, offering live streams of the World Grand Prix (September 28 – October 4), the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14 – 22), and the World Darts Championship (December 10 – January 3).
For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform provides access to darts and a wide range of sports without the need for a long‑term contract, making it a flexible option for viewers. Overall, the 2026 World Grand Prix has already delivered a blend of surprise results, high‑quality darts, and the distinctive challenge of its double‑in, double‑out format.
As the tournament moves deeper into its later stages, spectators can anticipate further thrilling matches, potential upsets, and a showdown for the coveted £150,000 top prize.