The 2026 Boylesports World Grand Prix got underway in Leicester, and the tournament began with a bang as Luke Woodhouse dumped defending champion Luke Littler out in the first round at Mattioli Arena.
Just over a week removed from his hopes of a clean sweep ending at the World Series of Darts Finals, Littler began by taking out 106 to go a set up against the grain, but Woodhouse hit back, levelling before going two legs ahead in the deciding set.
The Bewdley man was not for catching, as he completed victory with a nerveless 75 finish to advance to the last 16 in a famous win.
“I’m a bit all over the shop at the moment,” said Woodhouse.
“It’s the first time I’ve played him on a main stage, and safe to say I was shaking a little bit!
“I think it was a scrappy game. Of course, I’ll take the win. To beat someone of the stature of Luke Littler, it’s nice.
“It’s a very short format. When the games get longer, Luke gets better, so I just tried my best to put him under as much pressure as I could.”
Another former champion to bite the dust was Michael van Gerwen, and the six-time former winner was another to go a set up before being defeated, with Ryan Joyce producing a solid display on his finishing doubles to send the Dutchman tumbling out.
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There were positive signs for other former Grand Prix winners, with 2020 champion Gerwyn Price powering to victory against debutant Sebastian Bialecki for the loss of just one leg.
The Welshman averaged over 101, and took out 120 twice during the contest to complete an eye-catching victory.
“I think I played pretty decent in that game,” said Price.
“I don’t care about anyone else or sending a message out, but it gives me a bit of confidence with the new darts and the new points.
“I knew they were good but they’re going to get better!”
Price was joined in the last 16 by his countryman and 2021 champion Jonny Clayton, but ‘The Ferret’ had to work hard to secure his last 16 place, coming through 2-1 against Krzysztof Ratajski.
World Series of Darts Finals winner Ross Smith was railroaded in the opening set of his meeting with Cameron Menzies, with the Scot racing into the lead with a 158 finish included, but the Dover native fought hard, and got the win after surviving two match darts in set two, and admitted that he spent part of last week in hospital with a virus.
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Nathan Aspinall was pushed to the limit against Kevin Doets, but showed his trademark fighting spirit to make round two with a dogged 2-1 success.
‘The Asp’ survived three match darts, and found double nine to make round two, where Littler slayer Luke Woodhouse will await.
Wessel Nijman took a first win in Leicester, with the Dutchman getting the better of a struggle against Rob Cross in straight sets.
Danny Noppert, four-times a semi finalist in TV tournaments in 2025, started his campaign with a 2-1 win against Niko Springer.
The Dutchman won the first five legs of the match, but then had to survive an onslaught from the German before prevailing in a final set.
The action continues on Tuesday, where new tournament betting favourite Luke Humphries will be in action.
Boylesports World Grand Prix Darts 2026
Day One, Round One Results
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
Images: Kieran Cleeves/PDC
