The winter period is very busy when it comes to the world of darts, but nothing hits quite like the BoyleSports World Grand Prix. Running from 6th to 12th October at the iconic Mattioli Arena in Leicester, 32 of the finest darts players will battle it out for a share of the £600,000 prize pot.
But why is this tournament so special? It’s because there is a unique twist due to its double-start format, which only takes place in this tournament. So, it’s not just a case of who can hold their nerve – it’s also a case of who can get out of the blocks quickly and deliver.
Tournament format
For darts fans, the format is as fascinating as the field itself. That’s because the 32-player draw is split into two halves: there are the top 16 players on the PDC Order of Merit, seeded and protected in the early stages, and then there are 16 qualifiers who earn their place through a mix of ProTour performances and prize money rankings.
This balance means that the BoyleSports World Grand Prix always has the potential for surprises and upsets – established stars can exit at the first hurdle, while emerging names can seize the spotlight.
What makes the Grand Prix truly distinctive, however, is the double-start format – every leg requires players to open and close on a double. This twist heaps pressure on every dart thrown, particularly in the first round, where the format is only the best of three sets. If players can’t land that all-important double, their time in the tournament could soon be over.
The tournament isn’t all about players who can score big. So often in darts, if you can’t nail your doubles, you’re out – and the Grand Prix certainly takes that to the next level. So, if you’re having a bet, be sure that you can bank on the player who is on the outer ring rather than hammering the treble 20 bed.
Key dates in October
For those planning their viewing – or perhaps attending in person in Leicester – here’s the tournament at a glance:
- 6th-7th October – First round (eight matches each night)
- 8th-9th October – Second round (four matches each night)
- 10th October – Quarter-finals
- 11th October – Semi-finals
- 12th October – Final
Each stage of the competition ramps up the intensity, culminating in Sunday night’s showpiece, where one player will etch their name into Grand Prix history. Let’s introduce those at the top of the betting market as well as the Irish players looking to create their own piece of history.
Check out the prematch odds on the Grand Prix with Tonybet.
Top talent and Irish stars on show
This year’s field is stacked with storylines. Luke Humphries, the current world number one, arrives with the weight of expectation that anything other than a win would be a failure.
He has established himself as the most consistent performer over the last two years, collecting major titles and cementing his place as the man to beat. Yet it is worth pointing out that the Grand Prix has historically been unkind to top seeds, and Humphries knows all too well that a slow start on the doubles can turn even a straightforward draw into a nightmare.
For Humphries, the challenge is maintaining his rhythm under the added pressure of a double-start format, something that has tripped up many greats before him. However, Humphries is a pro – and a player who relishes the pressure – and perhaps this is a tournament designed to suit his skillset.
And then there’s Luke Littler, the teenage sensation who stunned the darts world – and continues to do so despite his young age. Littler’s ability to hit big scores under pressure is already the stuff of legend. But make no mistake, the Grand Prix represents a different kind of test.
Double-start tournaments demand patience and precision, and it will be fascinating to see whether Littler’s youthful swagger translates into dominance or whether the unique format exposes weaknesses in his game. One thing is certain: every time Littler steps onto the oche, eyes from across the sporting world will be watching to see what kind of magic he can produce.
Closer to home, Irish fans have two players to cheer for, starting with Daryl Gurney.
As a former Grand Prix champion, Daryl Gurney knows exactly what it takes to win in Leicester – and similar to Humphries, when he finds his rhythm, he’s an incredibly difficult player to stop.
Gurney has been quietly rebuilding his form, showing flashes of the power scoring and clutch finishing that took him to the top of the game. His ability to handle pressure in front of passionate crowds makes him one of the more dangerous floaters in the draw.
Alongside him, Irish fans will be keeping close tabs on Brendan Dolan, who enjoyed a career renaissance by helping Ireland capture the 2025 World Cup of Darts this summer.
Dolan’s bond with this tournament is special – he became the first man to hit a televised double-start nine-darter at the Grand Prix all the way back in 2011, an achievement that still resonates with fans today.
Now, with renewed confidence and a national triumph behind him, Dolan could well be poised for another deep run.
Ireland has a special relationship with this tournament. Beyond Gurney’s win and Dolan’s historic nine-darter, the Irish contingent has consistently produced passionate performances on this stage.
The rise of Irish darts in recent years, capped by the World Cup triumph earlier this summer, adds fresh context. Dolan and Gurney are no longer plucky outsiders; they’re proven winners with the experience to manage pressure. The atmosphere when Irish players take the stage is always electric, and with the tricolour flying proudly in Leicester, the prospect of another Irish run deep into the tournament feels very real.
The supporting cast is equally intriguing. Michael van Gerwen, a multiple Grand Prix winner, thrives in this particular event.
Few players manage the mental challenge of the double-start better than the Dutchman, and although he hasn’t dominated the calendar in quite the same way as he once did, his record here speaks volumes – and in this unique tournament, that is worth its weight in gold.
Welsh star Gerwyn Price brings explosive scoring power and a fiery presence that can rattle opponents, while the Scot Peter Wright remains capable of brilliance when his setup clicks.
Add in the likes of Rob Cross, Jonny Clayton and Dimitri Van den Bergh, and you have a field littered with names capable of lifting the trophy.
For the Irish faithful, the question will be whether Gurney and Dolan can build on their recent form and carry the tricolour deep into the second weekend.
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Famous Grand Prix moments
Part of what gives the BoyleSports World Grand Prix its magic is its history of unforgettable moments.
In 2011, Brendan Dolan produced one of the most iconic moments in darts history. By hitting the first ever televised double-start nine-darter, Dolan transformed himself from a steady tour professional into a cult hero. It remains one of the defining images of the Grand Prix – a moment replayed time and again whenever the tournament is discussed.
Phil Taylor’s dominance in the 2000s also shaped the tournament’s identity. His run of titles set a standard of excellence that every subsequent champion has been measured against. Taylor’s ability to master the unique demands of the double-start format underlined his all-time greatness and cemented his status as the benchmark for success.
The 2017 triumph of Daryl Gurney marked another milestone. His breakthrough victory was not only a career highlight but also a landmark for Irish darts. Under the brightest lights, Gurney’s composure and relentless scoring showed how the Grand Prix can elevate a player’s trajectory from contender to champion.
And, of course, the tournament is renowned for its shock exits. The double-start format has a way of unravelling even the biggest names, with world champions crashing out in the first round and unseeded outsiders making improbable runs to the final. Unpredictability is woven into the fabric of the Grand Prix.
These moments remind us that while rankings matter, the Grand Prix has a way of defying logic.
Our expert prediction
Predicting a winner in Leicester is notoriously difficult. The double-start has a way of undoing even the steadiest throwers.
That said, Luke Humphries’ consistency makes him a safe bet for a deep run, while Luke Littler’s swagger and fearless approach could carry him all the way. Those at the top of the market have so often crumbled, but not many have been at the same level as the two Lukes.
However, if you’re looking for an each-way play away from those at the top of the market, Michael van Gerwen’s experience in this format should never be underestimated. The Dutchman knows how to win here, and if his doubles are sharp in the opening rounds, he clearly means business.
However, don’t rule out an Irish fairytale either – Dolan and Gurney have the form, the history, and the confidence to trouble anyone – the latter, in particular, has always been dangerous at this event. With Gurney’s big-stage pedigree, the former champion will be looking to write another chapter in Ireland’s darts story.
For those who like to add an extra layer of intrigue, keeping tabs on the Tonybet odds throughout the week could be worthwhile. Momentum shifts quickly at the Grand Prix, and sharp bettors know that it pays to stay updated.
