Grand Slam of Darts 2026: Start Time, Schedule and How to Watch in the UK

Darts fans do not have to wait much longer for one of the most entertaining tournaments on the PDC calendar, and this year’s edition could be particularly special. The Grand Slam of Darts is returning with a bigger field, a different tournament format and plenty of familiar names hoping to get their hands on one of the sport’s most prestigious trophies.

There is also a major challenge waiting for defending champion Luke Littler. The teenage sensation has enjoyed another impressive season, but retaining this title will not be straightforward, particularly with the competition expanding to 48 players for the first time.

With the tournament approaching, here is everything supporters need to know about the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts, including the start date, session times, television coverage and the players expected to compete.

When Does the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Start?

The 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts begins on Saturday, November 14, at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton.

The competition will run for nine days, with the final scheduled for Sunday, November 22. It remains an important fixture in the closing stages of the PDC season, giving the biggest names in professional darts another opportunity to secure major silverware before the World Championship begins in December.

The opening day features two sessions, with the afternoon action starting at 1pm UK time and the evening session scheduled for 7pm.

There will also be two sessions on Sunday, November 15, before the tournament moves into its evening schedule during the following week.

For supporters who enjoy the atmosphere as much as the action, Wolverhampton should once again provide an excellent setting. The Grand Slam has been staged at Aldersley since 2018, making the venue an established home for the competition.

Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Full Schedule

The tournament features 12 sessions across nine days, with the opening weekend providing plenty of action before the knockout stages begin.

Here is the published schedule of sessions in UK time:

• Saturday, November 14: 1pm and 7pm – Opening group matches.

• Sunday, November 15: 1pm and 7pm – Group-stage action.

• Monday, November 16: 7pm – Group-stage matches.

• Tuesday, November 17: 7pm – Group-stage matches.

• Wednesday, November 18: 7pm – Second-round matches.

• Thursday, November 19: 7pm – Second-round matches.

• Friday, November 20: 7pm – Quarter-finals.

• Saturday, November 21: 7pm – Quarter-finals.

• Sunday, November 22: 1pm – Semi-finals.

• Sunday, November 22: 7.30pm – Final.

The first two days will feature afternoon and evening sessions, while the latter stages will determine which players reach the final showdown.

The schedule gives supporters plenty of opportunities to follow the competition, although individual match timings will depend on the running order.

How to Watch the Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Live in the UK

For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the Grand Slam of Darts.

Supporters with a Sky Sports subscription will be able to follow the tournament through the broadcaster’s television coverage. Those who prefer watching on their phones, tablets or computers can use Sky Go, while NOW offers another streaming option for viewers who want access without a traditional Sky television contract.

Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ are among the channels listed for the tournament’s sessions.

This means fans will not have to rely on occasional highlights or updates to follow the biggest matches. They can watch the competition unfold live, from the opening group matches through to the final.

The Grand Slam is also expected to attract significant international attention, with PDCTV providing a viewing option for audiences outside the UK, subject to regional broadcasting arrangements.

A New 48-Player Format Makes This Year’s Tournament Different

One of the biggest talking points heading into the 2026 competition is the expansion from 32 players to 48.

Instead of the previous format, the tournament will feature 16 groups of three players. Only the winner of each group will progress to the last 16, where the competition moves into a straight knockout format.

That change could make the opening stages particularly interesting. With fewer opportunities to recover from a poor performance, players will need to produce their best darts from the beginning.

A single disappointing match could put a favourite under serious pressure, while an outsider could make the most of an opportunity to upset an established name.

The expanded field also creates more opportunities for players from different competitions and tours to compete alongside the sport’s biggest stars.

It is a significant development for the Grand Slam, and it will be fascinating to see whether the new format produces more surprises.

Luke Littler Headlines the List of Players to Watch

Naturally, much of the attention will be on Luke Littler.

The defending champion heads into the tournament after another outstanding year, having successfully defended his World Championship crown before adding the Premier League and World Matchplay titles to his collection.

He also has a special connection with this competition. Littler defeated Luke Humphries 16-11 in the 2025 final, and he will be looking to continue his dominance by securing another Grand Slam trophy.

However, the competition will be considerably tougher than simply turning up and playing his usual game.

Humphries will be among the biggest threats after winning the 2026 World Grand Prix. Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price are also experienced major champions capable of producing the kind of performances needed to win a tournament of this magnitude.

Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Rob Cross are other established names who could make life difficult for the favourites.

The expanded field means there will also be opportunities for less established players to make their mark. That is particularly exciting because the Grand Slam has always been capable of producing unexpected results.

How Much Prize Money Is Available?

There is also plenty of money at stake in Wolverhampton.

The 2026 Grand Slam of Darts has a total prize fund of £1 million, with the eventual champion taking home £200,000 alongside the Eric Bristow Trophy.

That is a substantial reward and another reason why the competition matters so much to the players.

Winning a major PDC tournament is about more than the financial reward, especially for players trying to establish themselves among the world’s elite.

For Littler, another victory would further strengthen his position as one of the dominant figures in modern darts. For Humphries, Van Gerwen and Price, it represents another opportunity to remind everyone that they remain serious contenders for the biggest trophies.

A Huge Nine Days of Darts Await

There is plenty to look forward to when the Grand Slam of Darts gets underway on November 14.

The new 48-player format, the presence of the biggest names in the sport and the increased opportunities for emerging players make this an especially interesting edition.

Littler will understandably attract much of the attention, but the likes of Humphries, Van Gerwen and Price will not be travelling to Wolverhampton simply to make up the numbers.

The biggest question is whether the defending champion can deliver another statement performance or whether somebody else will finally stop him from lifting the trophy again.

One thing is certain: darts supporters have a fantastic nine days ahead of them.

Who do you think will win the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts? Can Luke Littler defend his title, or will another player take the £200,000 prize? Share your predictions.