Why the World Grand Prix is the most punishing tournament in professional darts

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the world of professional darts, the World Grand Prix stands alone. While most tournaments allow players to begin scoring immediately, this event demands a double to start every single leg. This unique double-in, double-out requirement turns standard matches into high-stakes tests of precision that can humble even the greatest legends.

Established in 1998 to replace the World Pairs tournament, the World Grand Prix has evolved through various venues and formats. Originally held at the Casino Rooms in Rochester, it spent many years at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin before the COVID-19 pandemic forced a relocation to England in 2020. Since 2021, the tournament has been hosted at the Leicester Arena. Throughout these changes, the Professional Darts Corporation has maintained the event's signature double-start rule, which requires players to hit a double or the bullseye to both open and close every leg.

This format significantly increases the difficulty of achieving a perfect nine-dart finish. Because players must start on a double, the available scoring combinations are restricted, often forcing a finish on the bullseye. Despite this, the feat has been accomplished three times in the tournament's history. Brendan Dolan made history in 2011 as the first to do it, followed by a remarkable 2014 match where both James Wade and Robert Thornton hit nine-darters, marking the only time this has occurred in a televised match.

The tournament’s history is defined by both dominance and volatility. Phil Taylor, who won 11 titles, remains the most successful player, yet even he was defeated in the first round five times. The event has also seen tactical shifts, including a brief experiment with a group stage in 1999 before returning to a straight knockout format in 2000. Today, the tournament remains a prestigious fixture in the calendar, with Luke Humphries claiming the 2026 title by defeating Gerwyn Price 6–4 in the final.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

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