The unique double-start darts challenge of the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix is back, and Leicester’s Mattioli Arena is ready to host another week of high-stakes drama from Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October.
A boosted £750,000 prize fund and a star-studded 32-player field set the stage, with reigning champion Luke Littler headlining the bill. The world number one claimed his maiden World Grand Prix title last year in emphatic fashion, crushing great rival Luke Humphries 6-1 in the final. Now the 18-year-old is aiming to become only the third player after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen to retain the title.
Littler faces a tricky opener against in-form ProTour qualifier Luke Woodhouse on Monday evening.
“This is not the easiest tournament to win, it’s very hard as a double-start tournament,” admitted the World Champion. “Darts these days, you can lose against anyone. I want to be double, triple champion in whatever major that may be.”
The format remains the same: the top 16 on the world rankings take on the top 16 from the 12-month ProTour Order of Merit. That sets up several mouth-watering first-round clashes.
Humphries, a three-time consecutive finalist (a feat previously achieved only by Taylor and Van Gerwen), starts his campaign on Tuesday against two-time runner-up Dave Chisnall. The 2023 champion still holds special memories of this event.
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“This tournament will always hold great memories for me,” he said. “The fact it was my first major tournament win makes it special, and it was the catalyst to allow me to go on and win everything else.”
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Recent World Series of Darts Finals champion Ross Smith continues his superb 2026 form when he meets Cameron Menzies. European Champion Gian van Veen faces fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in a rematch of their World Series quarter-final, while six-time winner Michael van Gerwen opens against Ryan Joyce.
Elsewhere, Gerwyn Price takes on Polish debutant Sebastian Bialecki, James Wade meets Joe Cullen, and Gary Anderson is paired with Damon Heta. Nathan Aspinall and Kevin Doets renew their rivalry, Wessel Nijman faces Rob Cross, and Danny Noppert starts against Germany’s sole representative Niko Springer.
William O’Connor makes a welcome return for the first time since 2015 against Ryan Searle, while Stephen Bunting and Andrew Gilding close out the opening round.After the 16 first-round matches, the second round spans Wednesday 30 September and Thursday 1 October.
Quarter-finals follow on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday 4 October, with £150,000 waiting for the champion.
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The double-start format has a habit of producing surprises and heroes. With Littler looking to defend, Humphries chasing another final, and a host of in-form players ready to strike, the 2026 World Grand Prix promises another unforgettable week in Leicester.
Images: PDC
