The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 returns to Wolverhampton from November 14 to November 22, bringing a major change to one of the biggest events on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) calendar. This year’s tournament features an expanded 48-player field, a new group-stage system and a record £1 million prize fund.
Defending champion Luke Littler heads the field after winning the previous two editions. He will aim to make history by securing a third consecutive title, but faces a challenging opening group that includes Beau Greaves and Niels Zonneveld.
The tournament will be staged at WV Active Aldersley, with players competing for the iconic Eric Bristow Trophy and a £200,000 winner’s prize. Fans can follow the action through Sky Sports in the UK, while international coverage is available through the PDC’s broadcast partners.
Here is everything to know about the Grand Slam of Darts 2026, including the confirmed groups, tournament schedule, playing format, prize money, past champions and how to watch.
Grand Slam of Darts 2026: Key Details
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 is particularly significant because the competition has expanded from 32 to 48 players. The change gives more players an opportunity to compete while introducing a different route into the knockout rounds.
Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Schedule and Dates
The tournament runs for nine days, beginning with the opening group matches on Saturday, November 14. The group stage is followed by the second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
Full Tournament Schedule
Match order and start times can change depending on how long earlier games take.
The Grand Slam of Darts schedule begins with two sessions on each of the first two days. The remaining group matches are played across Monday and Tuesday before the knockout rounds begin.
Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Groups and Players
The 48-player field has been divided into 16 groups, with three players in each group. The draw includes the leading names in professional darts, established major champions and players looking to make an impact on the big stage.
Luke Littler is the top seed in Group A, while former world champions and major winners such as Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and James Wade also feature.
Complete Group Draw
Groups to Watch
Group A: Luke Littler, Niels Zonneveld and Beau Greaves
The opening group is one of the biggest talking points of the draw. Littler begins his title defence against Greaves, while Zonneveld completes a competitive three-player group. Littler will need to win both matches to guarantee progression.
Group E: Gerwyn Price, Sebastian Bialecki and Joe Hunt
Three-time champion Gerwyn Price headlines Group E. Sebastian Bialecki and Joe Hunt will both be looking to challenge the Welshman and claim the only qualifying position.
Group I: Luke Humphries, Joe Cullen and Paolo Nebrida
Former champion Luke Humphries faces Joe Cullen and Paolo Nebrida. All three players will be competing for the group-winning position and a place in the knockout rounds.
Group L: Michael van Gerwen, Jeffrey de Graaf and Henry Coates
Michael van Gerwen is one of the tournament’s most successful players, having won three titles. His group includes Jeffrey de Graaf and Henry Coates, making this another section worth following.
Grand Slam of Darts 2026 New Format Explained
The biggest change in the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 is the introduction of 16 groups of three instead of the previous eight groups of four.
Under the old system, two players from each group could qualify for the knockout stage. The new structure is much less forgiving: only the winner of each group progresses.
How the Group Stage Works
- The 48 players are divided into 16 groups of three.
- Every player competes against the other two players in their group.
- Each player has two group-stage matches.
- A win earns two points.
- Only the group winner qualifies for the last 16.
- Group runners-up and third-place finishers are eliminated.
Group-stage matches are played over the best of nine legs. This means a player must win five legs to secure victory.
How the Knockout Stage Works
The 16 group winners move into the knockout bracket. The second round begins on November 18, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The knockout pairings are arranged between neighbouring groups:
The second-round matches are played over the best of 19 legs. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played over the best of 31 legs.
This new format makes every group match important. A single defeat can leave a player with very little room for error, and finishing second is no longer enough to reach the knockout rounds.
Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Prize Money
The total prize money for the 2026 competition has increased to £1 million, compared with £650,000 in the previous prize-fund structure.
The champion will receive £200,000, while the runner-up earns £100,000. Players also receive payments based on their finishing position, including those eliminated during the group stage.
Full Prize Money Breakdown
The increased prize money makes this the richest edition of the tournament to date. It also provides a larger financial reward for players who qualify for the expanded field, even if they do not reach the later rounds.
Luke Littler’s Title Defence
Luke Littler enters the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 as the defending champion after winning the 2024 and 2025 editions.
The world number one has an opportunity to become the first player to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles. He also begins the event with an unbeaten record at the Wolverhampton tournament.
His Group A opponents are Niels Zonneveld and Beau Greaves. Greaves is a particularly interesting opponent because she has already established herself as one of the leading players in women’s darts.
Littler’s opening match against Greaves is scheduled for the evening session on November 14. He will then face Zonneveld during the following group matches.
A successful title defence would add another major achievement to Littler’s rapidly growing career and strengthen his position among the sport’s leading players.
Grand Slam of Darts Past Winners
The tournament has produced several memorable champions since its first edition in 2007. Phil Taylor dominated the early years, while Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price enjoyed successful periods before Luke Littler won back-to-back titles.
Previous Grand Slam Champions
Phil Taylor remains the record six-time champion. Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price have each won the event three times, while Littler is aiming to join the multiple-title winners with a third championship.
How to Watch the Grand Slam of Darts 2026
Darts fans in the United Kingdom can watch the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 live on Sky Sports.
Coverage is available through Sky Sports’ darts programming, while eligible viewers without a traditional Sky subscription can access selected Sky Sports coverage through NOW.
International viewers should check the PDC’s official broadcast-partner information for coverage in their country. PDCTV also provides coverage in eligible territories, subject to regional restrictions.
Where to Watch
Broadcast availability and streaming rights can vary by location, so viewers should check their local listings before the opening session.
What Makes the 2026 Tournament Different?
The expanded field is the defining feature of this year’s event. Increasing the number of participants from 32 to 48 gives more players the chance to compete for a major title and changes the way the group stage works.
The tournament also offers a £1 million total prize fund, with £200,000 going to the winner. For Littler, the opportunity to win a third consecutive title adds another major storyline.
With 16 groups, a direct qualification route for group winners and a demanding knockout bracket, the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 is set to provide nine days of high-level darts in Wolverhampton.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 start?
The tournament begins on Saturday, November 14, 2026, and runs through Sunday, November 22. It takes place at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton, England.
Where is the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 being held?
The event is being held at WV Active Aldersley, Wolverhampton, England.
How many players are competing in 2026?
There are 48 players in the expanded field. They are divided into 16 groups of three.
What is the new format?
The new format uses 16 groups of three players. Each player has two group matches, and only the group winner advances to the second round.
Who is the defending champion?
Luke Littler is the defending champion after winning the 2024 and 2025 tournaments. He is aiming for a third consecutive title.
How much is the 2026 prize fund?
The total prize money is £1 million. The champion receives £200,000, with £100,000 going to the runner-up.
What trophy does the winner receive?
The champion receives the Eric Bristow Trophy, named in honour of the legendary former darts player.
Where can I watch the tournament?
UK viewers can watch live coverage on Sky Sports, with streaming access available through NOW. International viewers should check their local PDC broadcast partner.
When is the final?
The final is scheduled for Sunday, November 22, 2026, during the evening session.
Final Thoughts
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 brings a bigger field, a different group-stage system and a £1 million prize fund to Wolverhampton. With 48 players competing across 16 groups, the route to the title will be challenging from the opening weekend.
Luke Littler will attract much of the attention as he attempts to win a third consecutive championship, but established names including Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and James Wade will also be targeting the trophy.
Follow the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts schedule for the latest session information, group results and knockout progress throughout the tournament. The competition concludes on November 22, when a new champion—or a three-time consecutive winner—will lift the Eric Bristow Trophy.