In years gone by, the Grand Slam of Darts has been widely enjoyed as a spectacle, with the prospect of PDC v BDO, and the short quick fire group stage. While the BDO element is gone, the group stage is still going strong but has a different look in 2026.
In order to facilitate the number of players increasing from 32 to 48, there had to be slight format changes. Instead of 8 groups of 4, with the top two going through, it will now consist of 16 groups of 3, with only the group winners going up. This increases the jeopardy, any loss will likely result in elimination, other than the rare outcome of all three players winning one game and losing the other, where it will be decided by leg difference, legs won, legs won against the throw, and finally, averages.
As a result, this means the seeds are under much more pressure to kick start their campaigns today with a win, a heavy defeat could potential already put their fates out of their own hands.
With the format being just Best of 9, upsets are likely, but a few of the more likely comes in the afternoon session include Charlie Manby taking on Ryan Searle.
‘Champagne Charlie’ is the epitome of a big stage player, and on his debut he faces a Ryan Searle that has been struggling on the televised stage since making the World Semi-Finals in January. Another debutant is Tommy Morris, winning the last Players Championship Title of this season without having a Tour Card, as he takes on another out of form player in Josh Rock.
The evening session sees two potential thrillers, some of the most exciting matchups of the entire year. Michael van Gerwen will take on 20-year-old Henry Coates on his televised debut, with the Dutchman still struggling for big runs in 2026. Then later on, Luke Littler takes on Beau Greaves, in a game that many will see as the best male verses the best female on the planet in 2026. Greaves has beaten him over the short format before, could it happen again?
Another intriguing game see’s last nights Super League runner-up Jan Schmidt take on Chris Dobey to round off the night.
One thing can be guaranteed, there will be drama, and the 16 seeds will not have it easy.
Schedule of Play
Saturday November 14
Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)
8x Group Matches (Seeded Player v Player C)
Luke Woodhouse v Tom Sykes (J)
Jermaine Wattimena v Lisa Ashton (B)
Stephen Bunting v Raymond Smith (D)
Ryan Searle v Charlie Manby (F)
Josh Rock v Tommy Morris (C)
Wessel Nijman v Adam Sevada (H)
Nathan Aspinall v Maik Kuivenhoven (P)
Jonny Clayton v Anton Ostlund (G)
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
8x Group Matches (Seeded Player v Player C)
Gerwyn Price v Joe Hunt (E)
James Wade v Cam Crabtree (K)
Ross Smith v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (O)
Michael van Gerwen v Henry Coates (L)
Luke Humphries v Paolo Nebrida (I)
Luke Littler v Beau Greaves (A)
Gian van Veen v Carl Sneyd (M)
Chris Dobey v Jan Schmidt (N)
