The 2022 Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts gets underway at the Aldersley Leisure Village on Saturday, as Gerwyn Price begins the defence of his title in Wolverhampton.
The 16th staging of the Grand Slam will see a star-studded 32-player field competing for a record-breaking £650,000 in prize money and the coveted Eric Bristow Trophy from November 12-20.
With the players split into eight groups of four for the first round stage, the round-robin action begins with a bumper double session on Saturday November 12.
The Darts World team noted, after the Welshman’s second 2022 Pro Tour win last week, that the Iceman seems to thrive in the winter months.
Price’s title defence will begin with a clash against World Youth Champion Ted Evetts in Group A, which also features 2014 runner-up Dave Chisnall and 2012 champion Raymond van Barneveld.
Price has won all three Grand Slam of Darts events staged at the Aldersley Leisure Village, and the Welshman is bidding to add a fourth title to his haul in Wolverhampton next week.
“The Grand Slam and Aldersley holds good memories for me,” reflected Price, who is bidding to become only the second player to win four Grand Slam of Darts titles.
“Every game is going to be tough, but this is a tournament I’m confident in and it doesn’t matter who I’m playing, I believe I will come through.
“I never feel like I’m invincible, but I know if I play my A-game then I’m going to be really tough to beat.
“We’re at the business end of the year now and I’m coming back into my own.”
Reigning champion Price will headline Saturday’s opening session, with Groups A-D in action throughout the afternoon.
The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2022 Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts
Group Stage Draw
Group A
(1) Gerwyn Price
Dave Chisnall
Raymond van Barneveld
Ted Evetts
Group B
(8) Danny Noppert
Simon Whitlock
Mensur Suljovic
Christian Perez
Group C
(4) Michael Smith
Joe Cullen
Ritchie Edhouse
Lisa Ashton
Group D
(5) Rob Cross
Dirk van Duijvenbode
Martin Schindler
Adam Gawlas
Group E
(2) Peter Wright
Nathan Aspinall
Alan Soutar
Fallon Sherrock
Group F
(7) Jonny Clayton
Damon Heta
Jermaine Wattimena
Leonard Gates
Group G
(3) Michael van Gerwen
Ross Smith
Luke Woodhouse
Nathan Rafferty
Group H
(6) Luke Humphries
Ryan Searle
Josh Rock
Scott Williams
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
