The 2026 World Grand Prix took place in Leicester, delivering a packed schedule and a series of surprising results, most notably the early exit of defending champion Luke Littler. This tournament, broadcast live in its entirety on Sky Sports, is distinguished by its double‑in, double‑out format, meaning every leg must be started and finished on a double or the bullseye, adding a strategic layer that separates it from other PDC events. Prize money for the competition was substantial, with the champion set to receive £150,000 and the runner‑up £80,000, all drawn from a total pool of £750,000.
The stakes were high, but the early rounds produced several upsets that reshaped the bracket. In a shock first‑round match, Luke Littler, who entered the tournament as the defending champion, was defeated 1‑2 by Luke Woodhouse, ending his title defence in dramatic fashion. The upset mirrored another surprise earlier that evening when Michael van Gerwen, a five‑time Grand Prix winner, was knocked out by Ryan Joyce in round one, preventing a potential seventh crown for the Dutch star. Below is a detailed breakdown of the tournament’s progression, including match scores, upcoming fixtures, and the format for each stage.
**Round One – Best of Three Sets** - Danny Noppert defeated Niko Springer 2‑1 - Ross Smith edged Cameron Menzies 2‑1 - Nathan Aspinall overcame Kevin Doets 2‑1 - Jonny Clayton beat Krzysztof Ratajski 2‑1 - Gerwyn Price dispatched Sebastian Bialecki 2‑0 - Michael van Gerwen fell to Ryan Joyce 1‑2 - Luke Littler lost to Luke Woodhouse 1‑2 - Wessel Nijman beat Rob Cross 2‑0 - Chris Dobey was white‑washed by Jermaine Wattimena 0‑2 - Ryan Searle triumphed over William O'Connor 2‑1 - Josh Rock fell to Niels Zonneveld 1‑2 - James Wade beat Joe Cullen 2‑1 - Gary Anderson defeated Damon Heta 2‑1 - Gian van Veen won against Dirk van Duijvenbode 2‑0 - Luke Humphries beat Dave Chisnall 2‑0 - Stephen Bunting edged Andrew Gilding 2‑1 **Round Two – Best of Five Sets** - Danny Noppert was outclassed by Ryan Joyce, losing 0‑3 - Jonny Clayton recovered to beat Wessel Nijman 3‑1 - Gerwyn Price dominated Ross Smith 3‑0 - Luke Woodhouse suffered a 0‑3 loss to Nathan Aspinall **Round Three – Best of Five Sets** (matches yet to be confirmed) - Niels Zonneveld vs Gary Anderson - James Wade vs Stephen Bunting - Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena - Gian van Veen vs Ryan Searle **Quarter‑Finals – Best of Five Sets** - Ryan Joyce vs Nathan Aspinall - Jonny Clayton vs Gerwyn Price - Two additional quarter‑final pairings remain to be announced. **Semi‑Finals – Best of Nine Sets** - Both semi‑final match‑ups are still to be determined.
**Final – Best of Eleven Sets** - The championship match will feature the two semi‑final winners. The World Grand Prix’s unique double‑in, double‑out rule requires players to hit a double or the bullseye to start each leg, then finish on a double as well. This format tests both accuracy and composure under pressure, often leading to dramatic swings in momentum.
The number of sets required to win increases as the tournament progresses: the opening round is best‑of‑three, the second and third rounds shift to best‑of‑five, the semi‑finals expand to best‑of‑nine, and the final is contested over best‑of‑eleven sets. Fans are encouraged to view the event using the Chrome browser for optimal video player performance. Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts throughout the year, covering the World Grand Prix (28 September‑4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14‑22 November), and the World Darts Championship (10 December‑3 January).
For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers live darts coverage without a contractual commitment. Overall, the 2026 World Grand Prix has already delivered a narrative filled with unexpected results, high‑stakes matches, and the relentless pressure of the double‑in, double‑out format. As the tournament moves into its later stages, spectators can anticipate further excitement, with the remaining competitors vying for a share of the £150,000 champion’s prize and a coveted place in darts history.