The 2026 BoyleSports World Grand Prix has already delivered shocking upsets, with defending champion Luke Littler and darts legend Michael van Gerwen both making early exits. Now, as the tournament moves into the second round, only 16 players remain in contention for one of darts’ most prestigious titles. Tonight’s action promises more high-stakes drama with four crucial best-of-five-set matches, continuing the unique double-start, double-finish format that tests even the most seasoned pros.
The 2026 BoyleSports World Grand Prix is heating up in Leicester, and the opening two nights have certainly not been short on drama! With the field now narrowed to just 16 elite players, the race for this distinctive major title is wide open after some truly unexpected results.
Champions Stumble: Major Upsets Rock the Tournament
The Mattioli Arena has witnessed some incredible moments, none more surprising than the early departures of two of darts’ biggest names:
- Defending champion Luke Littler was shockingly eliminated in the first round.
- Six-time winner Michael van Gerwen, a true legend of the sport, also suffered an early exit.
These early upsets have completely reshaped the tournament, opening the door for new contenders to shine.
First Round Highlights: Who Advanced?
Tuesday’s action saw eight more players secure their spots in the Last 16 with impressive performances:
- Luke Humphries navigated his opening challenge smoothly, defeating Dave Chisnall 2-0.
- Gary Anderson showed his experience, battling past Damon Heta in a tight 2-1 contest.
- James Wade also emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Joe Cullen.
- Stephen Bunting survived a deciding set against Andrew Gilding, demonstrating his resilience.
- Gian van Veen delivered a standout performance, securing a straight-sets victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode.
- Further first-round wins went to Ryan Searle and Jermaine Wattimena.
- Tournament debutant Niels Zonneveld made a memorable entrance, eliminating Josh Rock with three crucial ton-plus finishes in the deciding set.
Understanding the Unique World Grand Prix Format
One of the reasons this tournament is so unpredictable is its distinctive rules. Players must:
- Start each leg with a double. This means hitting any double segment on the board before they can score.
- Finish each leg with a double. Just like a standard dart game, the final dart must land in a double segment.
For the second round, the format also increases to a best-of-five-sets encounter, meaning a player needs to win three sets to progress to the quarter-finals. This extended format, combined with the double-start challenge, demands exceptional precision and nerve.
Second Round Showdown: Tonight’s Must-Watch Matches
Attention now shifts to the first half of the second round, featuring four thrilling encounters tonight:
- Danny Noppert vs. Ryan Joyce: Joyce caused one of the biggest shocks of the opening night by eliminating Michael van Gerwen, making this a highly anticipated clash.
- Jonny Clayton vs. Wessel Nijman: Former champion Jonny Clayton will face the challenge of Wessel Nijman.
- Gerwyn Price vs. Ross Smith: The 2020 winner Gerwyn Price takes on Ross Smith in what promises to be another intriguing battle.
- Luke Woodhouse vs. Nathan Aspinall: After his stunning victory over Luke Littler, Woodhouse returns to the stage to face former UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals.
The tension is palpable as these players vie for a place in the next stage of the 2026 World Grand Prix. Stay tuned for all the live results, scores, and key moments as the drama unfolds!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
