Explainer
World Grand Prix Darts 2026: Schedule, format and prize money as Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, James Wade, Gary Anderson and more seek title
Luke Littler's World Grand Prix defence ended in first round at Leicester's Mattioli Arena; six-time champion Michael van Gerwen among other first-round exits in double-in, double-out tournament, live on Sky Sports from September 28 to October 4
Wednesday 30 September 2026 17:12, UK
Schedule and results from the 2026 World Grand Prix in Leicester, where Luke Littler's defence of the double-in, double-out tournament was ended in a shock first-round defeat.
The event, live in full on Sky Sports, uniquely requires players to begin and finish every leg on a double or the bullseye.
The winner will scoop £150,000 with the runner-up landing a cool £80,000 from a total prize pot of £750,000.
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There will not be a seventh title for Michael van Gerwen after he was dumped out by Ryan Joyce in round one, shortly before Littler was also surprisingly beaten on the opening night by Luke Woodhouse.
World Grand Prix schedule
Wednesday September 30 - From 7pm
Round two (best of five sets)
Danny Noppert vs Ryan Joyce
Jonny Clayton vs Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price vs Ross Smith
Luke Woodhouse vs Nathan Aspinall
Thursday October 1 - From 7pm
Round two (best of five sets)
Niels Zonneveld vs Gary Anderson
James Wade vs Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries vs Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen vs Ryan Searle
Friday October 2 - From 7pm
Quarter-finals (best of five sets)
Saturday October 3 - From 8pm
Semi-finals (best of nine sets)
Sunday October 4 - From 8pm
Final (best of 11 sets)
World Grand Prix results
Monday September 28
Round one (best of three sets)
Danny Noppert 2-1 Niko Springer
Ross Smith 2-1 Cameron Menzies
Nathan Aspinall 2-1 Kevin Doets
Jonny Clayton 2-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
Gerwyn Price 2-0 Sebastian Bialecki
Michael van Gerwen 1-2 Ryan Joyce
Luke Littler 1-2 Luke Woodhouse
Wessel Nijman 2-0 Rob Cross
Tuesday September 29
Round one (best of three sets)
Chris Dobey 0-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Ryan Searle 2-1 William O'Connor
Josh Rock 1-2 Niels Zonneveld
James Wade 2-1 Joe Cullen
Gary Anderson 2-1 Damon Heta
Gian van Veen 2-0 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Humphries 2-0 Dave Chisnall
Stephen Bunting 2-1 Andrew Gilding
What is the prize money?
- Winner: £150,000
- Runner-up: £80,000
- Semi-finalists: £50,000
- Quarter-finalists: £35,000
- Second round: £20,000
- First round: £7,500
- Total prize pot: £750,000
What is the double-in, double-out format?
The World Grand Prix is unique on the PDC calendar in having a double-in, double-out format which requires players to begin on the outer ring or bullseye before finishing the same way.
The number of sets required to win varies by round.
In the first round, matches are played in a best-of-three sets format, while in the second and third rounds that increases to a best-of-five contest. In the semi-finals it is a best-of-nine sets match and the final is best of 11.
Who are the previous winners?
- 1998: Phil Taylor
- 1999: Phil Taylor
- 2000: Phil Taylor
- 2001: Alan Warriner
- 2002: Phil Taylor
- 2003: Phil Taylor
- 2004: Colin Lloyd
- 2005: Phil Taylor
- 2006: Phil Taylor
- 2007: James Wade
- 2008: Phil Taylor
- 2009: Phil Taylor
- 2010: James Wade
- 2011: Phil Taylor
- 2012: Michael van Gerwen
- 2013: Phil Taylor
- 2014: Michael van Gerwen
- 2015: Robert Thornton
- 2016: Michael van Gerwen
- 2017: Daryl Gurney
- 2018: Michael van Gerwen
- 2019: Michael van Gerwen
- 2020: Gerwyn Price
- 2021: Jonny Clayton
- 2022: Michael van Gerwen
- 2023: Luke Humphries
- 2024: Mike De Decker
- 2025: Luke Littler
Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the World Grand Prix (September 28-October 4), Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.
