The 2026 World Grand Prix took place in Leicester, delivering a full schedule of matches and a surprising set of results that saw the defending champion, Luke Littler, knocked out in the opening round. This tournament is distinguished on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) calendar because it enforces a double‑in, double‑out rule: every leg must be started and finished on a double or the bullseye, adding a layer of strategic complexity that separates it from most other major events. The competition was broadcast live in its entirety on Sky Sports, giving fans around the world the chance to watch each throw as the players navigated the demanding format. The prize fund for the week was a substantial £750,000, with the champion set to receive £150,000 and the runner‑up £80,000.
These figures underscore the event’s importance within the darts season, sitting alongside other high‑profile fixtures such as the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship. One of the biggest stories of the tournament was the early exit of Michael van Gerwen, a player who has previously claimed seven World Grand Prix titles. Van Gerwen was upset by Ryan Joyce in the first round, a result that shocked many observers and highlighted the depth of talent in the field. Shortly after, another upset occurred when Luke Littler, who entered the tournament as the defending champion, was defeated by Luke Woodhouse on the opening night, ending his title defence in dramatic fashion.
The draw for the quarter‑finals, played as best‑of‑five sets, featured a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars: - Nathan Aspinall versus Ryan Joyce - Gerwyn Price versus Jonny Clayton - Luke Humphries versus Niels Zonneveld - Gian van Veen versus James Wade The semi‑finals, which will be contested over a best‑of‑nine‑sets format, are yet to be determined, as are the finalists who will meet in a best‑of‑eleven‑sets showdown for the championship. Round one matches were played as best‑of‑three sets.
Notable results included: - Danny Noppert edged out Niko Springer 2‑1 - Ross Smith beat Cameron Menzies 2‑1 - Nathan Aspinall defeated Kevin Doets 2‑1 - Jonny Clayton won 2‑1 against Krzysztof Ratajski - Gerwyn Price recorded a 2‑0 victory over Sebastian Bialecki - Michael van Gerwen fell 1‑2 to Ryan Joyce - Luke Littler was beaten 1‑2 by Luke Woodhouse - Wessel Nijman lost 0‑2 to Rob Cross A second batch of round‑one results featured: - Chris Dobey was white‑washed 0‑2 by Jermaine Wattimena - Ryan Searle triumphed 2‑1 over William O'Connor - Josh Rock fell 1‑2 to Niels Zonneveld - James Wade beat Joe Cullen 2‑1 - Gary Anderson overcame Damon Heta 2‑1 - Gian van Veen dispatched Dirk van Duijvenbode 2‑0 - Luke Humphries dominated Dave Chisnall 2‑0 - Stephen Bunting edged out Andrew Gilding 2‑1 In the second round, the format shifted to best‑of‑five sets. Highlights included: - Ryan Joyce dispatched Danny Noppert 3‑0 - Jonny Clayton overcame Wessel Nijman 3‑1 - Gerwyn Price thumped Ross Smith 3‑0 - Luke Woodhouse was shut out by Nathan Aspinall 3‑0 - Niels Zonneveld beat Gary Anderson 3‑1 - James Wade defeated Stephen Bunting 3‑1 - Luke Humphries overpowered Jermaine Wattimena 3‑0 - Gian van Veen survived a tight 3‑2 battle with Ryan Searle The World Grand Prix’s distinctive double‑in, double‑out requirement means that players must first hit a double (or the bullseye) before they can start scoring, and they must finish each leg on a double as well. This rule changes the rhythm of the game and often leads to dramatic swings in momentum, especially when a player struggles to find a starting double. The number of sets needed to win a match varies by round: the opening round is best‑of‑three, the second and third rounds are 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 use the Chrome browser for an optimal viewing experience, as it provides a more accessible video player for the live streams. Sky Sports continues to serve as 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 coverage, viewers can stream matches and related content through the NOW platform without the need for a long‑term contract, ensuring that the excitement of professional darts remains readily available to a global audience.