The draw for the World Grand Prix 2026 has been made, throwing up a series of tantalising first-round clashes as the world's best players prepare to tackle the unique double-in, double-out format. The tournament will be staged from 28.09.2026 to 04.10.2026 at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, with the winner set to collect £150,000 in prize money.
Defending champion Luke Littler begins his title defence against Luke Woodhouse, the winner of the Baltic Sea Darts Open. The world number one claimed the World Grand Prix for the first time twelve months ago and can now join an elite group in Leicester — only Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have previously won the double-in, double-out event in back-to-back years. Littler is also chasing a clean sweep of the major TV titles in 2026, but faces a stern first hurdle right away in the shape of Woodhouse.
Luke Humphries, the 2023 champion, also knows his opening opponent: he meets Dave Chisnall, a two-time World Grand Prix finalist. Michael van Gerwen, a six-time winner of the event, takes on Ryan Joyce, who reached the semi-finals in 2024. Reigning European champion Gian van Veen draws an opponent with strong previous form at the event in Dirk van Duijvenbode, the man known as 'The Aubergenius' who reached the final in 2020.
2020 winner Gerwyn Price faces debutant Sebastian Bialecki, while another Welsh-Poland clash sees Jonny Clayton take on Krzysztof Ratajski. A tantalising meeting between Nathan Aspinall and Kevin Doets could brew a Littler clash in the second round. Former world champion Rob Cross locks horns with Wessel Nijman, with Josh Rock in action against Niels Zonneveld.
James Wade, a two-time World Grand Prix winner, opens against Joe Cullen, the Englishman who reached the semi-finals as recently as 2023. Gary Anderson is paired with Australia's number one, Damon Heta. Ross Smith and Cameron Menzies face off for a last-16 spot, while Stephen Bunting meets Andrew Gilding and Ryan Searle draws William O'Connor.
The top 16 in the world rankings are paired in round one with the 16 highest-ranked players on the one-year ProTour Order of Merit who qualified via that route. The full first-round draw is as follows: (1) Luke Littler v Luke Woodhouse; (16) Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets; (8) Danny Noppert v Niko Springer; (9) Michael van Gerwen v Ryan Joyce; (4) Gerwyn Price v Sebastian Bialecki; (13) Ross Smith v Cameron Menzies; (5) Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski; (12) Wessel Nijman v Rob Cross; (2) Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall; (15) Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena; (7) Josh Rock v Niels Zonneveld; (10) Gary Anderson v Damon Heta; (3) Gian van Veen v Dirk van Duijvenbode; (14) Ryan Searle v William O'Connor; (6) James Wade v Joe Cullen; (11) Stephen Bunting v Andrew Gilding.
