The World Grand Prix is back, and Luke Littler is the man to beat. The defending champion will head to Leicester’s Mattioli Arena from September 28 to October 4, with Sky Sports broadcasting all the action live.
Littler won the title last year, and he will look to repeat that success as the sport’s top players chase a newly-boosted £150,000 top prize. The event runs across six days, with Round One matches starting Monday evening and the Final taking place Sunday night.
Littler’s Defence
Littler arrives in Leicester as the favourite. He won the title last year, and he will need to overcome a strong field to hold onto it.
The draw pits him against Luke Woodhouse in Round One. That match opens the tournament on Monday evening, with the winner advancing to the second round.
Humphries and the Dutch Return
Luke Humphries will be chasing a second World Grand Prix title. He won the event in 2023 and will look to add to that tally this year.
Gian van Veen, the Dutch number one, also returns to the arena. He broke the record average last year in defeat to Littler, and he will be hoping for a better result this time.
A Star-Studded Field
The field is packed with talent. Six-time champion Michael van Gerwen and two-time winner James Wade will both feature, alongside Welsh duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton.
Jonny Clayton lifted the title in 2020, while Gerwyn Price took it in 2021. Both will be looking to add to their collection of honours.
Other notable names include Northern Irish number one Josh Rock, two-time semi-finalist Danny Noppert, Stephen Bunting and Wessel Nijman.
How the Event Works
The World Grand Prix has a unique rule. Players must begin and finish every leg on a double or the bullseye.
That adds an extra layer of pressure to each throw. A player can start a leg with a double, but they must end it the same way.
The format is simple. Thirty-two players compete over five rounds, with the final decided on Sunday evening.
The Prize Money
The top prize has been boosted for this year’s event. The winner will take home £150,000.
That is a significant amount of money for the sport, and it should ensure a competitive field throughout the tournament.
The boost means the winner will earn more than ever before, which should add to the tension on the stage.
The Draw
The draw has been set, and the Round One fixtures are now known. Here is how the first day of play breaks down:
| Day | Time | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Danny Noppert v Niko Springer |
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Ross Smith v Cameron Menzies |
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets |
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski |
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Gerwyn Price v Sebastian Bialecki |
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Michael van Gerwen v Ryan Joyce |
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Luke Littler v Luke Woodhouse |
| Monday 28 September | From 6pm | Wessel Nijman v Rob Cross |
The Tuesday session follows a similar pattern, with Chris Dobey facing Jermaine Wattimena, Ryan Searle meeting William O’Connor, Josh Rock playing Niels Zonneveld, James Wade facing Joe Cullen, Gary Anderson playing Damon Heta, Gian van Veen taking on Dirk van Duijvenbode, Luke Humphries playing Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting facing Andrew Gilding.
The Second Round
The second day of play sees the winners of the first round advance to face specific opponents drawn from the remaining field. The order of play is yet to be confirmed, but the fixtures are set.
On Wednesday evening, the quarter-finals will be played. The semi-finals follow on Saturday evening, with the Final taking place on Sunday evening.
“Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix coming up from September 28 to October 4.”
That is the official line, and it confirms that viewers in the UK will be able to watch all the action on Sky Sports.
What to Watch For
The key matches to keep an eye on are obvious. Littler’s defence of the title will be the main storyline, but Humphries, van Veen and van Gerwen will all have something to say about that.
The Round One fixture between Littler and Woodhouse will set the tone for the tournament. That match opens the event on Monday evening, and it will be the first test of the defending champion’s credentials.
The Venue
Leicester’s Mattioli Arena hosts the event, and it will be the centre of the darting world for the week ahead.
The draw has been set, the fixtures are known, and the prize money is confirmed. All that remains is for the players to step out on stage and deliver.
The World Grand Prix is a chance to see some of the best players in the world competing for a major prize. With Littler defending his title, Humphries seeking a second win and a host of other stars in the field, it promises to be a memorable week of darts.
See the video the story is built around at Skysports.
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