Darts' World Grand Prix - how it works, results and prize money

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Luke Littler is the current defending Darts World Grand Prix championByJonty ColmanBBC Sport journalistThe 2026 Darts World Grand Prix starts on Monday, 28 September and is one of the Professional Darts Corporation's major titles.Unlike the rest of the sport's majors, the tournament uses a 'double in, double out' format.The 32 players featuring are made up of the 16 best-ranked players from the PDC's Order of Merit, and the best 16 from the past 12 months via the Order of Merit who had not already qualified.A total prize fund of £750,000 is up for grabs, with the winner earning £150,000.Teenager and current world number one Luke Littler was the winner in 2025, cruising to a 6-1 victory over Luke Humphries in the final.Get in touchWhat is 'double in, double out?'The 'double in, double out' darts format presents a big twist to the gameplay.It means that a player must start all legs on a double, rather than on any scoring zone on the board.The use of 'double in, double out' has been in use in the World Grand Prix since its inaugural year in 1998.How many sets are in each match?The format is in set play, with each set being the best of five legs.The first round is a best-of-three-sets match, increasing to five sets in the second round.The quarter-finals stay at the best of five sets, before an increase to nine sets in the semi-finals.The final is a best-of-11 match, also described as a race to six sets.Schedule, results & order of playFirst roundMonday, 28 September (18:00 BST)(8) Danny Noppert 2-1 Niko Springer(13) Ross Smith 2-1 Cameron Menzies(16) Nathan Aspinall 2-1 Kevin Doets(5) Jonny Clayton 2-1 Krzysztof Ratajski(4) Gerwyn Price 2-0 Sebastian Bialecki(9) Michael van Gerwen v Ryan Joyce(1) Luke Littler v Luke Woodhouse(12) Wessel Nijman v Rob CrossTuesday, 29 September (18:00 BST)(15) Chris Dobey v Jermaine Wattimena(14) Ryan Searle v William O'Connor(7) Josh Rock v Niels Zonneveld(6) James Wade v Joe Cullen(10) Gary Anderson v Damon Heta(3) Gian van Veen v Dirk van Duijvenbode(2) Luke Humphries v Dave Chisnall(11) Stephen Bunting v Andrew GildingSecond roundWednesday, 30 September (19:00 BST)Order of play TBCLittler/Woodhouse v Nathan Aspinall (16)(8) Danny Noppert v Van Gerwen/Joyce(4) Gerwyn Price v Ross Smith (13)(5) Jonny Clayton v Nijman/CrossThursday, 1 October (19:00 BST)Order of play TBCHumphries/Chisnall v Dobey/WattimenaRock/Zonneveld v Anderson/HetaVan Veen/Van Duijvenbode v Searle/O'ConnorWade/Cullen v Bunting/GildingQuarter-finalsFriday, 2 October (19:00 BST) Four matchesSemi-finals Saturday, 3 October (20:00 BST)Two matchesFinalSunday, 4 October (20:00 BST)One matchWhat is the prize money?The prize money for the whole tournament has increased to £750,000 this year, an increase of 25% from last year's £600,000.The winner will take home £150,000 instead of the £120,000 jackpot 12 months ago. Barring the prize money given to players who lose in the first round, every other value has also increased.Winner - £150,000Runner-up - £80,000Semi-final loser - £50,000Quarter-final loser - £35,000Second round loser - £20,000First round loser - £7,500Who has previously won the World Grand Prix?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mike De Decker beat Luke Humphries in 2024's World Grand Prix final to win his first major title Phil Taylor is the most successful player in World Grand Prix history, winning the tournament 11 times.Michael van Gerwen is the next most successful player with six titles, with James Wade (twice) being the only other player to win it multiple times.The World Grand Prix has produced six different winners in the last six years.2025 - Luke Littler2024 – Mike De Decker2023 – Luke Humphries2022 – Michael van Gerwen2021 – Jonny Clayton2020 – Gerwyn Price2019 – Michael van Gerwen2018 - Michael van Gerwen2017 - Daryl Gurney2016 - Michael van Gerwen2015 – Robert Thornton2014 - Michael van Gerwen2013 – Phil Taylor2012 - Michael van Gerwen2011 – Phil Taylor2010 – James Wade2009 - Phil Taylor2008 - Phil Taylor2007 – James Wade2006 - Phil Taylor2005 - Phil Taylor2004 – Colin Lloyd2003 - Phil Taylor2002 - Phil Taylor2001 – Alan Warriner2000 – Phil Taylor1999 - Phil Taylor1998 - Phil TaylorThis article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.More questions answered...