Grand Slam of Darts 2026: Full Tournament Preview
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 is almost here, and excitement is building ahead of one of the biggest events on the professional darts calendar. The tournament returns with a major change to its format, an expanded field of 48 players and a £1 million prize fund.
The 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts takes place from 14 to 22 November at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton. Reigning champion Luke Littler will be aiming for an extraordinary third consecutive title after winning the tournament in 2024 and 2025.
This year’s expanded competition introduces 16 groups of three, with only the group winner progressing to the knockout stages. Every group match will therefore carry significant weight, making the opening rounds particularly important.
With established champions, international qualifiers and emerging talents all competing for the Eric Bristow Trophy, the 2026 edition promises plenty of drama.
How Does The Grand Slam of Darts Work?
The Grand Slam of Darts brings together leading players who have qualified through major PDC tournaments, international competitions and other recognised events throughout the season.
For 2026, the competition has expanded from 32 to 48 players, introducing a new group-stage structure.
The 48 competitors are divided into 16 groups of three. Each player faces the other two players in their group once, with matches played as best of nine legs. A win earns two points, while a defeat earns no points.
Unlike previous editions, only the winner of each group advances to the knockout stages. This means 16 players progress to the second round, where the competition becomes a straight knockout tournament.
If players finish level on points in a group, leg difference and other statistical measures are used to determine the standings. In the event of an unresolved three-way tie, the PDC has provisions for a nine-dart shoot-out to decide qualification.
The knockout stage begins with the last 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. Match lengths increase as the tournament progresses, demanding greater consistency and concentration from the remaining competitors.
The expanded format makes qualification more challenging, as players have just two group matches to secure their place in the next round.
When Is The Grand Slam of Darts 2026?
The 2026 Grand Slam of Darts takes place from Saturday 14 November to Sunday 22 November 2026.
The nine-day tournament begins with the group stage, which runs from 14 to 17 November. The opening Saturday features afternoon and evening sessions, with further group matches taking place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
The confirmed schedule is as follows:
- Saturday 14 November: Opening group matches, afternoon and evening sessions.
- Sunday 15 November: Group-stage matches across afternoon and evening sessions.
- Monday 16 November: Remaining group matches from Groups A to H.
- Tuesday 17 November: Remaining group matches from Groups I to P.
- Wednesday 18 November: Four last-16 matches.
- Thursday 19 November: Four further last-16 matches.
- Friday 20 November: First two quarter-finals.
- Saturday 21 November: Remaining two quarter-finals.
- Sunday 22 November: Semi-finals in the afternoon and the final in the evening.
The opening afternoon session on 14 November is scheduled to begin at 1:00pm GMT, with the evening session starting at 7:00pm GMT.
The knockout stages begin on Wednesday 18 November, with the last 16 played across two evenings. The quarter-finals follow on Friday and Saturday before the final four players compete on Sunday 22 November.
Where Is The Grand Slam of Darts Being Held 2026?
The 2026 tournament returns to WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton, England, the venue previously known as Aldersley Leisure Village.
Located on Aldersley Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 9NW, the venue has a long association with the Grand Slam of Darts and provides the setting for nine days of professional darts.
Wolverhampton is accessible by road and rail, with the city centre offering connections to other major towns and cities across the Midlands and beyond. Visitors travelling by train can reach Wolverhampton railway station before continuing to the venue by taxi or local transport.
There are accommodation options throughout Wolverhampton and the surrounding area for fans planning to attend multiple sessions. The city also offers restaurants, pubs and other entertainment options for visitors before and after matches.
For the latest information about tickets, accessibility and travel arrangements, spectators should consult the official PDC and venue websites.
How Many Legs In The Grand Slam of Darts?
The number of legs required to win increases as the tournament progresses. The 2026 format features three different match lengths across the group and knockout stages.
The confirmed match formats are:
- Group stage: Best of 9 legs, first to 5.
- Last 16: Best of 19 legs, first to 10.
- Quarter-finals: Best of 31 legs, first to 16.
- Semi-finals: Best of 31 legs, first to 16.
- Final: Best of 31 legs, first to 16.
Every match is played in a straight legs format, rather than sets.
The group-stage matches are relatively short, meaning players must start strongly and take their scoring opportunities. With only two matches available to each competitor, a single defeat can make qualification considerably more difficult.
The longer knockout matches place greater emphasis on consistency, finishing ability and concentration. Players must maintain their scoring throughout the contest while handling the pressure of competing for a major title.
When Is The Final of the Grand Slam of Darts?
The 2026 Grand Slam of Darts final takes place on Sunday 22 November at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton. The final is scheduled for the evening session, with play expected to begin at 7:30pm GMT.
Before the championship match, the two semi-finals will take place during the afternoon session, scheduled to start at 1:00pm GMT.
The final will be contested over a best-of-31-leg format, meaning the first player to win 16 legs will claim the title and the Eric Bristow Trophy.
Luke Littler enters the tournament as the defending champion after defeating Luke Humphries 16-11 in the 2025 final. Littler will be looking to make history by winning the competition for a third consecutive year. The final will also determine who takes home the winner’s share of the increased £1 million prize fund.
How Much Do You Get For Winning The Grand Slam of Darts?
The 2026 Grand Slam of Darts features a total prize fund of £1 million, representing a significant increase from the £650,000 available in 2025.
The tournament winner will receive £200,000, while the runner-up will take home £100,000.
The increased prize fund reflects the expansion from 32 to 48 competitors, with financial rewards available to players according to their progress through the competition.
The confirmed 2026 prize money breakdown is:
- Winner: £200,000
- Runner-up: £100,000
- Semi-finalists: £60,000 each
- Quarter-finalists: £35,000 each
- Last 16: £20,000 each
- Second in group: £12,500 each
- Third in group: £5,000 each
The revised prize structure means every player who reaches the tournament receives at least £5,000, while those who finish second in their groups earn £12,500.
The winner’s £200,000 reward makes the Grand Slam one of the most lucrative events on the PDC calendar. With a major trophy and substantial prize money at stake, there is plenty of incentive for the players to perform throughout the competition.
Who Is Playing at the Grand Slam of Darts?
The 2026 Grand Slam of Darts features 48 players, with the official draw confirmed on 9 November.
The field includes major PDC champions, international tournament winners, representatives from women’s darts and emerging players who have earned qualification through recognised competitions.
The top 16 qualified players in the PDC rankings are seeded, with the remaining competitors allocated to the groups according to the tournament’s draw procedure.
Some of the biggest names involved include:
The confirmed group draw is:
Group A: Luke Littler, Niels Zonneveld and Beau Greaves.
Group B: Jermaine Wattimena, Alan Soutar and Lisa Ashton.
Group C: Josh Rock, Kevin Doets and Tommy Morris.
Group D: Stephen Bunting, Cameron Menzies and Raymond Smith.
Group E: Gerwyn Price, Sebastian Bialecki and Joe Hunt.
Group F: Ryan Searle, Andrew Gilding and Charlie Manby.
Group G: Jonny Clayton, Rob Cross and Anton Ostlund.
Group H: Wessel Nijman, Niko Springer and Adam Sevada.
Group I: Luke Humphries, Joe Cullen and Paolo Nebrida.
Group J: Luke Woodhouse, Krzysztof Ratajski and Tom Sykes.
Group K: James Wade, Ricky Evans and Cam Crabtree.
Group L: Michael van Gerwen, Jeffrey de Graaf and Henry Coates.
Group M: Gian van Veen, Bradley Brooks and Carl Sneyd.
Group N: Chris Dobey, Martin Schindler and Jan Schmidt.
Group O: Ross Smith, Gabriel Clemens and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez.
Group P: Nathan Aspinall, Karel Sedlacek and Maik Kuivenhoven.
One of the most anticipated opening matches will see Littler take on Beau Greaves in Group A. Niels Zonneveld completes the group, making it an interesting test for the reigning champion.
Other intriguing groups include Group G, featuring Jonny Clayton and Rob Cross, and Group L, where Michael van Gerwen faces Jeffrey de Graaf and Henry Coates.
With only one player progressing from each group, there is little room for error. The draw creates several potentially difficult match-ups and gives the tournament plenty of opportunities for surprises.
Who Is Favourite To Win The Grand Slam of Darts?
Luke Littler enters the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts as the defending champion and one of the strongest contenders for the title.
Having won the competition in both 2024 and 2025, Littler is chasing a third consecutive championship. His opening group includes Beau Greaves and Niels Zonneveld, and he will need to maintain his exceptional form to progress.
Luke Humphries is another leading contender. The former champion has enjoyed success at major PDC events and possesses the scoring power and finishing ability needed to challenge for another televised title.
Gerwyn Price is another serious threat. The Welshman is a former Grand Slam champion and has the scoring ability to compete with anyone in the field.
Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, Ross Smith and Josh Rock are among the other players capable of making a deep run.
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