Grand Slam of Darts set for major shake-up as Luke Littler among five players already qualified

The PDC have confirmed the qualifying criteria for the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts.

This year’s tournament marks the first with an expanded 48-player field, an increase from 32 in recent years.

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The event will be held at the WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton between November 14 and 22.

With the qualification process finalised, five players have already booked their place in the draw.

Luke Littler will be aiming to win a third consecutive Grand Slam title.

The Nuke has been assured of a place in the field since beating Luke Humphries in last year’s final.

Across two appearances at the event, Littler has yet to lose, having won all 20 matches he has played.

Former champion Humphries has also qualified as the 2025 runner-up.

Up to 24 automatic qualifiers will come from the winners and runners-up of the PDC Premier events played between the 2025 and 2026 Grand Slams.

Those include all ranked major events as well as the Premier League and World Cup of Darts.

Gian van Veen and Nathan Aspinall have both already booked their place at the event.

The pair were beaten by Littler in the final of the PDC World Darts Championship and Players Championship Finals, respectively.

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Meanwhile, Beau Greaves is the first player to clinch one of 12 additional qualification spots.

She did so after reaching the final of the 2025 World Youth Championship, where she was beaten by Van Veen.

The finalists of both the 2025 and 2026 tournaments will qualify for the upcoming Grand Slam.

Further additional qualifiers will include the Women’s World Matchplay champion as well as regional event winners in Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania.

The field will then be filled up to 40 players using European Tour event winners.

If required, Players Championship event winners will then be used until that number of qualifiers is reached.

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The final eight players in the draw will be confirmed at a Tour Card holder qualifier on November 6.

This year has also seen the PDC increase the prize money across their event, with a total of £1million on offer at the Grand Slam.

Players will receive at least £12,500 if they advance from the group stage.

Meanwhile, the winner will scoop £200,000 as well as taking home the Eric Bristow Trophy.