The 2026 World Grand Prix, staged in Leicester, delivered a dramatic opening night as the defending champion Luke Littler was knocked out in the first round, ending his bid to retain the double‑in, double‑out title. The tournament, broadcast live in its entirety on Sky Sports, is the only major event on the PDC calendar that obliges competitors to start and finish each leg on a double or the bullseye, a rule that adds a unique strategic layer to every match. Prize money for the competition is substantial, with the champion set to pocket £150,000 and the runner‑up receiving £80,000 from a total pool of £750,000.

The early rounds saw several high‑profile upsets, most notably Michael van Gerwen’s elimination by Ryan Joyce in the opening round, followed shortly by Littler’s own surprise defeat at the hands of Luke Woodhouse. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the schedule, the results that have unfolded so far, and the format details that define this distinctive tournament. **Round One – Best of Three Sets** - 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 beaten by Luke Woodhouse 1‑2 - Wessel Nijman triumphed over Rob Cross 2‑0 - Chris Dobey lost to Jermaine Wattimena 0‑2 - Ryan Searle beat William O'Connor 2‑1 - Josh Rock fell to Niels Zonneveld 1‑2 - James Wade won against Joe Cullen 2‑1 - Gary Anderson defeated Damon Heta 2‑1 - Gian van Veen beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 2‑0 - Luke Humphries overcame Dave Chisnall 2‑0 - Stephen Bunting edged Andrew Gilding 2‑1 **Round Two – Best of Five Sets** - Ryan Joyce dominated Danny Noppert 3‑0 - Jonny Clayton dispatched Wessel Nijman 3‑1 - Gerwyn Price routed Ross Smith 3‑0 - Luke Woodhouse overcame Nathan Aspinall 3‑0 **Round Three – Best of Five Sets (Scheduled Match‑ups)** - 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 (Projected Pairings)** - Ryan Joyce vs Nathan Aspinall - Jonny Clayton vs Gerwyn Price - Humphries/Wattimena vs Anderson/Zonneveld - Wade/Bunting vs Van Veen/Searle **Semi‑Finals – Best of Nine Sets** - Two matches to be determined (TBC) **Final – Best of Eleven Sets** - The championship match (TBC) **Format Overview** The World Grand Prix’s hallmark is its double‑in, double‑out requirement.

Players must first hit an outer double or the bullseye to commence scoring in each leg, and they must finish on a double as well. This rule differentiates the event from other PDC tournaments where a simple single‑in, double‑out format is used. The number of sets needed to win a match escalates as the tournament progresses: - First round: best‑of‑three sets - Second and third rounds: best‑of‑five sets - Semi‑finals: best‑of‑nine sets - Final: best‑of‑eleven sets These increasing lengths test stamina and consistency, especially under the pressure of the double‑in rule. **Viewing Information** Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience.

Sky Sports continues to be the primary broadcaster for darts, 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). In addition to traditional TV, darts enthusiasts can stream matches via the NOW platform without the need for a contract, ensuring flexible access to live action. **Key Takeaways** - The defending champion, Luke Littler, suffered a first‑round exit, underscoring the tournament’s unpredictability. - Michael van Gerwen’s early loss to Ryan Joyce adds another surprise to the opening day.

- The double‑in, double‑out format continues to challenge even the sport’s most seasoned players, making each leg a tactical battle. - With a £150,000 top prize and a total purse of £750,000, the stakes remain high throughout the event. As the competition moves into the later stages, the remaining field will need to adapt quickly to the unique demands of the format while navigating the heightened pressure of larger set counts.

The upcoming quarter‑finals and beyond promise intense match‑ups, and fans can look forward to a climactic final where the eventual champion will claim the coveted World Grand Prix title.