Luke Littler Set to Face Beau Greaves in Grand Slam of Darts 2026
Defending champion Luke Littler begins his quest for a third consecutive Grand Slam of Darts title against Beau Greaves, following the announcement of the tournament draw. Littler has been placed in Group A alongside the women’s darts sensation Greaves and Dutch player Niels Zonneveld.
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 is scheduled to be held from November 14 to 22 at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton. This year’s tournament features a revamped format, with 48 players being divided into 16 groups, each comprising three competitors.
Only the top player from each group will advance to the knockout rounds, intensifying the importance of the initial matches.
The PDC’s official tournament draw reveals that former champion Luke Humphries shares Group I with Joe Cullen and Paolo Nebrida, while Michael van Gerwen faces off against Jeffrey de Graaf and Henry Coates in Group L.
Participants are competing for the prestigious Eric Bristow Trophy and a record prize fund of £1 million, with the champion set to receive £200,000.
Opening Group Match for Littler
Littler heads into the tournament as the world number one and two-time defending champion, having captured the title in both 2024 and 2025. Last year, he secured the championship by defeating Luke Humphries 16-11 in the final.
Remaining undefeated at the Grand Slam thus far, Littler’s first match against Greaves promises to be an intriguing contest. Greaves previously defeated Littler 6-5 in the semi-finals of the 2025 World Youth Championship, but Littler claimed victory with a 6-5 win at Players Championship 24 in August this year.
Their highly anticipated matchup is set for the evening session on November 14. Greaves, a three-time Women’s World Matchplay champion, has proven she can compete with elite male professionals. However, facing Littler on such a significant stage is a unique challenge.
Additionally, Zonneveld poses a potential threat. The Dutch player bested Littler 6-5 at the Belgian Darts Open earlier this year and has since claimed his first PDC ranking title at the Dutch Darts Championship. With only one qualification spot available in Group A, the stakes are high for Littler’s opening match.
Complete Group Draw for Grand Slam of Darts 2026
The PDC conducted the tournament draw on November 9, which grouped 48 qualifiers into 16 distinct groups. Each group is made up of one seeded player and two additional qualifiers.
| Group | Seeded Player | Other Players |
|---|---|---|
| A | Luke Littler (1) | Niels Zonneveld, Beau Greaves |
| B | Jermaine Wattimena (16) | Alan Soutar, Lisa Ashton |
| C | Josh Rock (8) | Kevin Doets, Tommy Morris |
| D | Stephen Bunting (9) | Cameron Menzies, Raymond Smith |
| E | Gerwyn Price (4) | Sebastian Bialecki, Joe Hunt |
| F | Ryan Searle (13) | Andrew Gilding, Charlie Manby |
| G | Jonny Clayton (5) | Rob Cross, Anton Ostlund |
| H | Wessel Nijman (12) | Niko Springer, Adam Sevada |
| I | Luke Humphries (2) | Joe Cullen, Paolo Nebrida |
| J | Luke Woodhouse (15) | Krzysztof Ratajski, Tom Sykes |
| K | James Wade (7) | Ricky Evans, Cam Crabtree |
| L | Michael van Gerwen (10) | Jeffrey de Graaf, Henry Coates |
| M | Gian van Veen (3) | Bradley Brooks, Carl Sneyd |
| N | Chris Dobey (14) | Martin Schindler, Jan Schmidt |
| O | Ross Smith (6) | Gabriel Clemens, Rusty-Jake Rodriguez |
| P | Nathan Aspinall (11) | Karel Sedlacek, Maik Kuivenhoven |
This year’s groups feature highly competitive lineups. Group G sees Jonny Clayton and 2023 runner-up Rob Cross face off, while Group K includes James Wade, Ricky Evans, and Cam Crabtree. Group D is also notable, where Stephen Bunting will compete against Cameron Menzies and Raymond Smith.
Humphries carries the mantle of second seed in Group I, facing potential challenges from Cullen, a former Masters champion, and Nebrida, who aims for an upset. Simultaneously, three-time Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price will kick off his campaign against Joe Hunt in Group E, along with Sebastian Bialecki.
Key Contenders for the Championship
Among the favorites, Littler stands out, bolstered by his past Grand Slam victories. His exceptional scoring and finishing skills make him a formidable opponent; however, the newly adjusted group format adds a layer of complexity, requiring him to navigate two crucial matches successfully.
Humphries remains a significant contender as well, having reached the finals in the previous year. His experience could serve him well in the longer matches that follow the group stage.
Gerwyn Price, a three-time Grand Slam winner, is also a player to watch. His vast experience will be crucial during the knockout stages. Van Gerwen, another three-time champion, aims to extend his success, while newcomers like Gian van Veen and Josh Rock could provide tough competition.
Understanding the New Grand Slam Format
This year’s Grand Slam of Darts introduces a significant change to its format. In contrast to previous tournaments, which included 32 players in eight groups of four, the 2026 edition expands to 48 players across 16 groups of three.
Participants will compete in a round-robin format, with each player facing the other two in their group. Victories yield two points, while losses result in none. Only the top player from each group will advance to the knockout stage.
In the event of a tie, the PDC will utilize several tie-breaking criteria, including leg difference and tournament averages, with a nine-dart shoot-out as a final tiebreaker if necessary.
Grand Slam of Darts 2026 Schedule
The tournament kicks off on November 14 and concludes on November 22, with session times displayed in GMT:
- November 14: Group matches at 1 pm and 7 pm
- November 15: Group matches at 1 pm and 7:30 pm
- November 16: Final group matches for Groups A–H at 7 pm
- November 17: Final group matches for Groups I–P at 7 pm
- November 18: Four last-16 matches at 7 pm
- November 19: Four last-16 matches at 7 pm
- November 20: Two quarter-finals at 7 pm
- November 21: Two quarter-finals at 7 pm
- November 22: Semi-finals at 1 pm and final at 7:30 pm
The opening day will feature several exciting matches, including Stephen Bunting facing Raymond Smith and Littler against Greaves among others.
2026 Prize Money Overview
This year’s prize fund totals £1 million, an increase from £650,000 in 2025. The champion will earn £200,000, while the runner-up receives £100,000. Both losing semi-finalists will take home £60,000, with quarter-finalists earning £35,000.
Competitors eliminated in the last 16 will receive £20,000, while second-place finishers in the group phase earn £12,500 and third-place finishers receive £5,000. These financial rewards are part of the PDC’s broader prize fund strategy for 2026.
Broadcast Information
Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the tournament in the United Kingdom, starting November 14, with both afternoon and evening sessions featured. The tournament will also be available via the PDC’s international broadcasting partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, as well as PDCTV in select regions.
Can Littler Secure a Historic Third Title?
Littler is aiming to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles, a feat achieved from 2015 to 2017. While his unbeaten record adds to his credentials, the formidable competition ahead presents immediate challenges in his group.
The first match against Greaves, alongside the challenge posed by Zonneveld, sets the stage for an intense tournament. With only one player advancing from each group, the outcome of Littler’s opening match could have significant implications for his path through the tournament.
Chief Editor of Quincy City Beat — Quincy, MA's independent investigative newspaper covering Greater Boston and the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts with fearless public accountability and free access for all readers.
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