World Grand Prix Darts 2026: Dates, format and prize money as Luke Littler looks to continue dominance

The 2026 World Grand Prix will be hosted in Leicester for a sixth year running and is the ultimate challenge for the world’s biggest darts stars.

The event consists of a unique component – the double-in, double-out format.

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This allows for potential underdog runs, such as Mike De Decker’s title run in 2024 and the Dirk van Duijvenbode final in 2020.

Luke Littler beat Luke Humphries in the 2025 edition to win his first World Grand Prix title.

Littler is the currently title holder of all of the top events in darts including the PDC World Championship, the Premier League, the World Matchplay and the Grand Slam.

In 2026, the 19-year-old has looked unbeatable and will need to win a tricky World Grand Prix Darts Trophy to secure the clean sweep he wants to achieve.

Earlier this year, he said: “For darts, I think it would be up there with probably one of the best.

“No one’s ever done it. That’s what I’m going for. I like to break all these records.”

All players taking part will have to remain focused throughout the complicated format.

Here’s how things will work in the event this week…

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World Grand Prix Darts: Format explained

The tournament is the only one on the PDC calendar that requires players to start and finish on a double.

Normally, players start with a dart anywhere on the board, whether that be a triple, double or single.

However, in the World Grand Prix, they must begin with a double to get their scoring started during a leg.

Despite winning the event last year, Littler has notoriously admitted he ‘didn’t like’ the rules and labelled it on of the ‘toughest tournaments.

The format allows for players to meet in set-play matches, with each set being the best of five legs.

Players have to qualify by being seeded in the top 16, with Luke Litter currently world No1 and Nathan Aspinall No16.

The other 16 players have to qualify through the Pro Tour Order for the remaining 16 spots – including Cameron Menzies, Rob Cross, and Ryan Joyce.

The draw will be confirmed in mid-September.

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World Grand Prix Darts: Dates and start times

The World Grand Prix gets underway on Monday, September 28 through to Sunday, October 4.

It is being held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will have all of the latest news, reaction and updates from the event.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

World Grand Prix Darts: Schedule

First round (best of 3 sets)

• Day One
• Day Two

Second round (best of 5 sets)

• Day Three
• Day Four

Quarter-finals (best of 5 sets)

• Day Five

Semi-finals (best of 9 sets) and Final (best of 11 sets)

• Day Six