Defending champion Luke Littler suffered 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, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the double‑in, double‑out format. Littler started the match strongly, taking the opening set after a series of high‑scoring visits. However, his performance was far from his usual razor‑sharp standard.
Woodhouse, displaying composure under pressure, missed several opportunities to finish on a double, allowing Littler to clinch the first set. The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set when Woodhouse steadied his aim, capitalising on Littler’s missed doubles and securing the set without needing a decider. The third set turned into a nail‑biter.
Both players exchanged legs, each having chances to close the match. In the end, Woodhouse held his nerve, hitting the required doubles to win the deciding leg and complete what many commentators are calling one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history. His victory not only eliminated the defending champion but also sent shockwaves through the darts community, reminding everyone that even the most promising young talents can be vulnerable on a given night. Following his win, Woodhouse will meet former finalist Nathan Aspinall in the second round.
Aspinall earned his place after a tense final‑leg decider against Kevin Doets on the opening night, demonstrating the depth of competition in the early stages of the event. Littler took to Instagram shortly after his defeat, posting a gracious message: "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." He then hinted at his plans for the weekend, indicating that he would shift his focus to the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, a match featuring his beloved Warrington Wolves.
"May aswell get myself to OT [Old Trafford] now I'm out. Let's go the Wire @warringtonrlfc," he wrote, showing his enthusiasm for the rugby league showdown that coincides with the Grand Prix semi‑finals. Woodhouse, reflecting on his victory, praised Littler’s talent while acknowledging the young player’s humanity: "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." His comments highlighted the respect that even an opponent can have for a prodigious talent, and they resonated with fans who have followed Littler’s meteoric rise. Elsewhere in the tournament, Michael van Gerwen’s hopes of a seventh Grand Prix title were extinguished by a third consecutive first‑round loss.
Dutch veteran Ryan Joyce rallied from a set down to defeat the former champion, further emphasizing the depth of the field and the difficulty of maintaining dominance in this format. Welsh stars Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, winners of the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix respectively, both advanced comfortably. Price delivered a standout performance, averaging 101.61 and dropping only a single leg in his victory over Sebastian Bialecki.
Clayton, meanwhile, endured a grueling battle against Krzysztof Ratajski; the match was one of six on opening night that went the full distance, showcasing the high level of competition. Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets both experienced heartbreak, missing match darts that would have sealed their wins. Menzies missed two darts at the treble 20 before Ross Smith swept him aside 3‑0 in the deciding set. Doets, after missing three match darts—including a wild miss at the bullseye—succumbed to Aspinall in a last‑leg decider in the third set.
The evening also featured a spectacular start from Danny Noppert, who raced to five consecutive legs before Niko Springer rallied to take the second set 3‑0. The third set returned to a more typical rhythm, with both players exchanging legs before Noppert ultimately prevailed. In another straightforward encounter, Wessel Nijman dispatched Rob Cross 2‑0, setting up a second‑round clash with Jonny Clayton. Noppert will face Ryan Joyce, the man who eliminated van Gerwen, while Gerwyn Price is slated to meet Ross Smith.
Smith revealed a personal struggle, explaining that he almost withdrew from the World Grand Prix after a week of health issues that landed him in hospital. "I've had a week from hell," he said. "I picked up some sort of virus and had a few issues with my heart as well.
I was in hospital on Friday. 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’s second round is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, followed by quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday.
Fans can catch live coverage on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 pm on Tuesday, with daily broadcasts continuing through to the championship match. For those without a traditional TV contract, the event is also available for streaming on NOW, offering flexible viewing options for darts enthusiasts worldwide.