Grand Slam of Darts Betting Tips 2026

Free Grand Slam of Darts betting tips and predictions from Andy Robson and the Andy's Bet Club team. Each published selection includes the odds available and research explaining the bet. Our coverage follows the action in Wolverhampton from 14 to 22 November.

Grand Slam of Darts 2026: tournament information

The 2026 Grand Slam of Darts takes place at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton from Saturday 14 November to Sunday 22 November. Sky Sports will show the tournament live. All 48-players will compete for the Eric Bristow Trophy.

Luke Littler returns as defending champion after beating Luke Humphries 16-11 in the 2025 final. The field has increased from 32 to 48 players for 2026, and the group format has changed in-line with that increase.

The 48-player field includes 38 players who qualified through other PDC events and tours, plus ten who secured their places at the Tour Card Holder Qualifier on 6 November.

Andy Robson and our darts writers assess the available prices against recent performances, opponent quality and the route through the draw. Scoring averages, checkout percentages and 180s per leg help explain the results behind each selection. 

Our wider darts coverage also includes contributions from three-time BDO world champion Glen Durrant. For selections across other PDC events, visit our daily darts betting tips and predictions.

Grand Slam of Darts draw and groups

The PDC scheduled the 2026 Grand Slam draw for today and announced that the groups would appear on its social media channels.

The 16 highest-ranked qualifiers are seeded into separate groups. The remaining players are divided into two pots by ranking. Each group contains one seed and one player from each of the other pots.

How does the Grand Slam of Darts format work?

The 48 players are split into 16 groups of three. Each player faces the other two members of their group once. Only the group winner progresses to the last 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Players have two group fixtures, and finishing second is no longer enough to qualify. An opening defeat therefore leaves just one match to recover, although the other result in the group also affects who can go through.

Grand Slam of Darts players to watch

The field includes the winners of the last three editions, European Tour champions and players making their first Grand Slam appearance. Here are six names to follow in Wolverhampton.

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries

Littler is chasing a third consecutive Grand Slam title after wins over Martin Lukeman in 2024 and Humphries in 2025. Humphries was the last player to win the tournament before him, taking the 2023 title against Rob Cross.

Humphries also arrives as the 2026 World Grand Prix champion. He and Littler could meet again in Wolverhampton, although the draw will determine when that is possible.

Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen

Price and Van Gerwen have each won the Grand Slam three times. Price reached the 2026 World Matchplay final, while Van Gerwen secured his place through the World Cup final.

A fourth title for either would break their tie on the tournament's winners list. Price last lifted the trophy in 2021.

Wessel Nijman and Charlie Manby

Nijman qualified after winning two European Tour events in 2026. Manby will make his Grand Slam debut after his first PDC ranking title at Players Championship 31.

Manby beat Maik Kuivenhoven 8-2 in that final. His run also included wins over Karel Sedlacek, Alan Soutar and Beau Greaves, so he has already beaten several members of this year's Grand Slam field.

Grand Slam of Darts betting markets

You can back a player to win the tournament or choose a market for an individual match. The markets available vary between bookmakers and fixtures.

Tournament winner and match winner

An outright bet backs a player to win the Grand Slam. A match-winner bet applies to one fixture. A player can win a group match without qualifying, so check whether your selection covers an individual result, group progression or the whole tournament.

Grand Slam 180s bets

Bookmakers may offer markets on a player's total 180s, the combined match total or who will hit the most. These are separate from the match result: a player can score more maximums and still lose through missed doubles.

Longer matches give players more chances to hit 180s. A high total from a long knockout match is not directly comparable with one from a short group fixture; 180s per leg offers a more useful comparison. Check how your bookmaker settles a tie in a most-180s market.

Handicaps and total legs

A legs handicap gives a player a virtual lead or deficit. A player backed at -2.5 legs must win by at least three legs for that selection to win.

Total-legs bets are about how long the match lasts. A closely matched contest may offer more opportunities for legs and 180s than a one-sided result, but the available line and price still matter.

You can also compare our free bets and bookmaker offers. Check that an offer applies to darts and read its minimum odds, qualifying stake and expiry terms.

Grand Slam of Darts previous winners

Littler won the 2025 final 16-11 against Humphries, following his 16-3 victory over Lukeman in 2024. Humphries took the 2023 title with a 16-8 win against Rob Cross.

Michael Smith won in 2022, beating Nathan Aspinall 16-5. Price's most recent Grand Slam title came in 2021, when he defeated Peter Wright 16-8.

Grand Slam of Darts FAQs

Find answers below about the prize fund, qualification and when our tips are published.

What is the Grand Slam of Darts prize money?

The 2026 prize fund is £1 million, with £200,000 for the winner and £100,000 for the runner-up. Players finishing second in their group receive £12,500, while third place pays £5,000.

How do players qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts?

Qualification includes finalists from specified PDC televised events, players from secondary and affiliate tours, and European Tour and Players Championship event winners under the PDC's criteria. The remaining places are filled through a Tour Card Holder Qualifier. Ten players came through that qualifier on 6 November for the 2026 tournament.

Are your Grand Slam of Darts tips free?

Yes. Our published Grand Slam tips and the research supporting each selection are free to read. Available picks depend on the fixtures and markets our team is covering.

When are Grand Slam of Darts tips available?

We aim to publish match selections before play begins, once the fixtures and relevant odds are available. Check the date and start time attached to each tip. The odds can change after publication, so compare the quoted price with your bookmaker's current odds.