Defending champion Luke Littler experienced a surprising first‑round exit at the World Grand Prix, bowing out 2‑1 to fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse in Leicester. The upset came on the same evening that six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen was also knocked out of the competition, adding to the night’s drama. Littler started the match strongly, taking the opening set.

However, he was far from his usual sharpness, allowing Woodhouse to miss several double opportunities that could have sealed the set for the challenger. The first set ultimately went to a deciding leg, where Woodhouse managed to edge past Littler and claim the lead. The momentum shifted dramatically in the second and third sets.

Woodhouse, playing with confidence and precision, did not give Littler any chance to recover. He secured both sets convincingly, completing one of the most notable upsets in the history of the double‑in, double‑out format of the tournament.

With the victory, Woodhouse advanced to face former finalist Nathan Aspinall in the second round, having earlier dispatched Kevin Doets in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider on the opening night. In the aftermath of his unexpected loss, Littler took to Instagram to share his thoughts. He wrote, "Well played @lukewoodly180 was a good game, good one to be apart of aswell. Both hit, both missed but Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to Luke for rest of tournament." The young star then hinted at his plans for the weekend, indicating he would attend the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, supporting his beloved Warrington Wolves.

"May aswell get myself to OT [Old Trafford] now I'm out. Let's go the Wire @warringtonrlfc," he added. Woodhouse, reflecting on his victory, praised Littler’s talent despite the loss.

"Luke's not a robot. He's going to have days and weeks and whatever where he's not right on it. But people have echoed it and I'm going to say it again, he's one of a kind, Luke. I hope people will take the time to appreciate how good he is and not give him a hard time.

You might not see another Luke Littler ever again," he said. The night was not just about Littler’s upset.

Michael van Gerwen, who was hoping to add a seventh Grand Prix title to his résumé, suffered a third consecutive first‑round defeat. Dutch veteran Ryan Joyce rallied from a set down to overcome van Gerwen, ending the Dutchman’s hopes for another crown. Welsh representatives Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix champions respectively, also progressed. Price delivered a standout performance, averaging 101.61 and dropping only a single leg in his victory over Sebastian Bialecki.

Clayton, meanwhile, endured a hard‑fought battle against Krzysztof Ratajski; their match was one of six that stretched to the full distance on opening night. Other notable matches included Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets, both of whom missed match darts and were eliminated by Ross Smith and Nathan Aspinall respectively. Menzies had two chances to hit the double top before Smith swept him aside 3‑0 in a deciding set. Doets missed three match darts, including a wild attempt at the bullseye, before Aspinall clinched the win in a final‑leg decider.

Danny Noppert burst onto the scene, winning five consecutive legs to start his match. Niko Springer responded with a three‑leg run to take the second set, after which the contest settled into a more typical rhythm in the third set. Meanwhile, Wessel Nijman wrapped up the evening with a comfortable 2‑0 win over former world champion Rob Cross. Nijman’s next opponent will be Jonny Clayton, while Noppert will face Ryan Joyce, the player who eliminated van Gerwen.

Gerwyn Price is set to meet Ross Smith, who revealed a harrowing week leading up to the tournament. Smith disclosed that he had been hospitalized the week before the event due to a virus and heart‑related issues. "I've had a week from hell," he said after his first‑round win. "I thought I was pulling out of this event on Saturday, so to be here is an achievement in itself.

Let alone play and win like that, I'm very happy." The tournament will continue with second‑round matches spread over Wednesday and Thursday, followed by quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with daily coverage through to the championship match.

For those without a contract, streaming options are available on NOW, offering flexible access to every stage of the World Grand Prix.