Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Draw: Groups, Format and Schedule
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 draw takes place today, Monday 9 November, when all 48 players learn their group opponents for the biggest Grand Slam ever staged. The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 begins at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton on Saturday 14 November.
On this page
- Table of Contents
- When Is the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Draw?
- How the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Draw Works
- The Confirmed 48-Player Field
- Prize Money at the Grand Slam of Darts 2026
- Who Are the Favourites for the Grand Slam of Darts 2026?
- How to Watch the Grand Slam of Darts 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
This year the tournament has grown to 48 players, sixteen groups of three, and a record £1 million prize fund. Defending champion Luke Littler heads the field, with Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and a host of first-time qualifiers chasing the Eric Bristow Trophy.
Table of Contents
When Is the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Draw?
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 draw is made today, Monday 9 November, five days before the first darts are thrown in Wolverhampton. The PDC has confirmed the draw will be shared through its social media channels, although no start time had been announced by Sunday evening.
Once the draw is complete, the PDC will confirm the full schedule of play. The group stage begins on Saturday 14 November, with the final on Sunday 22 November. It is the 20th staging of the Grand Slam, sponsored by Mr Vegas, and the first with 48 players instead of 32.
How the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Draw Works
The new format is simple and unforgiving. The 48 qualifiers are split into sixteen groups of three players. The sixteen highest-ranked qualifiers are seeded by PDC ranking and placed one per group, while the remaining 32 players are split into two pots by ranking, positions 17 to 32 and 33 to 48, and drawn into the groups.
Each player plays the other two in their group once, so every player has just two group matches to prove themselves. Two points are awarded for a win, and only the group winner advances to the last 16. There is no second chance for the runner-up, which makes the draw itself a huge moment: a tough group can end a title challenge before the knockout stage even begins.
The Confirmed 48-Player Field
The field is led by defending champion Luke Littler, who beat Luke Humphries 16-11 in last year’s final, and Humphries himself, who qualified by winning the 2026 World Grand Prix. They are joined by Gian van Veen, Ross Smith, Gerwyn Price, James Wade, Nathan Aspinall, Michael van Gerwen and Martin Schindler.
Beau Greaves and Lisa Ashton carry the women’s game into the field, while Cam Crabtree, Sebastian Bialecki and Joe Hunt represent the next generation from the youth, development and challenge tours.
The final ten places were decided at the Tour Card Holder Qualifier in Leicester on Friday 6 November, where 91 players chased the last spots. Stephen Bunting led the way with three averages above 100, joined by Joe Cullen, Niko Springer, Ricky Evans, Bradley Brooks, Alan Soutar, Rusty-Jake Rodriguez and three debutants: Maik Kuivenhoven, Tom Sykes and Carl Sneyd. The last place went to the PDC Nordic and Baltic Championship winner, decided on Sunday 8 November.
Some famous names are missing. Michael Smith, the 2022 champion, lost 5-3 to Joe Cullen in the final round of the qualifier, while Damon Heta, Danny Noppert and Peter Wright all fell early in Leicester. Gary Anderson withdrew from the qualifier and will not be in Wolverhampton. For the full build-up, read our Grand Slam of Darts 2026 preview.
Prize Money at the Grand Slam of Darts 2026
The prize fund has risen from £650,000 last year to £1 million, with the winner taking home £200,000 and the Eric Bristow Trophy. Every player is guaranteed prize money, and even finishing third in a group is worth £5,000.
| Stage | Prize money |
|---|---|
| Winner | £200,000 |
| Runner-up | £100,000 |
| Semi-finalists | £60,000 |
| Quarter-finalists | £35,000 |
| Last 16 | £20,000 |
| Second in group | £12,500 |
| Third in group | £5,000 |
| Total prize fund | £1,000,000 |
Who Are the Favourites for the Grand Slam of Darts 2026?
Luke Littler starts as the man to beat. The world number one is the defending champion, has won the World Championship, Premier League, World Matchplay, World Masters and UK Open this year, and is chasing a third straight Grand Slam title. Even the best player in the world can be caught cold in a three-player group.
Luke Humphries is the other obvious contender, but his build-up took a knock in Dundee, where Gian van Veen beat him 6-2 in an exhibition night just days before the Grand Slam. Van Veen, the World Championship runner-up, will take plenty of confidence from that result.
Ross Smith arrives in the form of his life after winning the European Championship and the World Series of Darts Finals this season, while Michael van Gerwen, a three-time Grand Slam champion, can never be written off. Stephen Bunting is the dark horse: his qualifier form in Leicester suggests he is hitting his best darts at exactly the right time.
How to Watch the Grand Slam of Darts 2026
Every session will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK from Saturday 14 November. Fans outside the UK can follow the action through PDCTV, the PDC’s worldwide streaming service. The final is scheduled for the evening of Sunday 22 November.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 draw?
The draw takes place on Monday 9 November 2026, five days before the tournament starts. The PDC has not announced a start time, and it will be shared through the PDC’s social media channels.
When does the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 start?
The tournament starts on Saturday 14 November 2026 at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton and runs until the final on Sunday 22 November.
How many players are in the Grand Slam of Darts 2026?
There are 48 players, expanded from 32 for the first time. They are split into sixteen groups of three, with only the group winner reaching the last 16.
How does the group stage work?
Each player plays the other two players in their group once. Two points are awarded for a win, and only the group winner advances to the knockout stage. Every player has just two group matches, so there is very little room for error.
How much prize money is on offer?
The total prize fund is £1 million, up from £650,000 in 2025. The winner receives £200,000, the runner-up £100,000, and every player in the field is guaranteed at least £5,000.
Who is the defending champion?
Luke Littler is the defending champion. He beat Luke Humphries 16-11 in the 2025 final to win his second Grand Slam title, and he is chasing a third straight crown in Wolverhampton.
Conclusion
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 draw is the moment this year’s tournament truly begins. With 48 players, sixteen groups of three and only the group winners reaching the last 16, the draw can make or break a title challenge before a single dart is thrown in Wolverhampton.
Whether Luke Littler extends his dominance, Luke Humphries answers his Dundee defeat, or a qualifier like Stephen Bunting produces a shock, today’s groups will shape the whole week. Check back once the draw is confirmed for the full group line-ups and the schedule of play.
