The 2025 Grand Slam of Darts returns in full force from 8 to 16 November, staged at the familiar and electric venue of WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton. With 32 players battling for the iconic Eric Bristow Trophy, this year promises high drama, massive stakes and a whole week of early-November darting entertainment. It marks another major highlight in the calendar for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and sets the stage for a climactic ending to the season.
Dates, venue and format
The action kicks off on Saturday 8 November, with group stage play running through to Tuesday 11 November, before the knockout rounds begin. The final is scheduled for Sunday 16 November, with an afternoon semi-final session followed by the evening final. The venue once again is WV Active Aldersley, a facility that has established itself as home of the event in recent years thanks to its capacity, crowd atmosphere and suitability for the tournament’s unique “tables plus arena” layout.
The tournament opens with eight groups of four players each. In the group phase the format is round robin: each player faces the other three in their group. The top two from each group then progress to the last-16. From that point the tournament adopts a straight knockout format.
Match lengths increase as the week progresses: group matches will be best of nine legs; once play moves to the knockouts the length grows, rewarding players who can sustain their game under longer-match pressure. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will see longer formats, offering greater room for swings, comebacks and stamina tests.
Prize fund and significance
The total prize fund remains a handsome £650,000, with the winner set to receive £150,000. The runner-up is slated to take home around £70,000, while semi-finalists will each collect about £50,000. Group winners receive a bonus of £3,500, and players finishing in the last-16 or third/fourth in group have guaranteed amounts.
That level of prize money underscores how seriously the Grand Slam is treated: although not the very largest of the PDC majors, it blends the group-stage dynamics (similar to football tournaments) with knockout drama, making it a unique and high-value target for players. With qualification routes becoming tougher and the field demanding consistency, the prize money acts as both reward and motivator.
Key players & draw snapshot
Defending champion Luke Littler returns with his title to defend and will be tight favourite for many. He headlines Group E, where he meets the likes of Daryl Gurney, Connor Scutt and Karel Sedlacek. Littler, who stormed to victory in dramatic style in 2024, commented on the draw: “I’m excited to defend the title and the draw gives me plenty of tough tests.”
Meanwhile, 2023 champion Luke Humphries heads Group A, and established great-expectation names like Michael van Gerwen (three-time winner of the event) will find themselves in headline-setting groups, ensuring early sessions are packed with top-tier clashes. The draw confirms just how competitive the field has become: one defeat in the group stage no longer spells disaster, but recovery is harder when the knockout rounds await.
Qualification & changes ahead
The 2025 edition marks the final time the Grand Slam will be contested with a 32-player field: it has been confirmed that from 2026 onwards the tournament will expand to 48 players, making this year especially significant for those seeking to make their mark before the format changes.
Players qualify via a mixture of methods: major televised tournaments, tour-card events, qualifiers and runner-ups. Some notable names who have failed to make the field via qualifiers only attest to how strong competition has become. For example, high-profile players missing out highlight the razor-edge nature of the selection process in recent years.
Fan experience, tickets and sessions
For supporters attending in person, this event remains among the most fan-friendly on the darts calendar. There are multiple sessions each day in the opening weekend (afternoon and evening), moving to single sessions later in the week. Ticket tiers vary (front table seats, rear table, tiered seating) and the organisers advise buying early: demand is high. The venue’s setup offers table seating for groups, plus tiered seating behind, maintaining intimacy while scaling for thousands of fans.
Besides the matches, the venue offers a full fan-zone experience: merchandise stands, food and drink outlets, hospitality options and shuttle services. For many fans it becomes a week-long social event as much as a sports competition.
Coverage & how to watch
For those unable to attend in person, broadcast coverage is extensive. In the UK, live coverage will be provided via major sports networks, with additional streaming options for international fans. Daily live sessions will cover group matches, knockout days and the final evening. The availability of both afternoon and evening sessions means global audiences have multiple windows to engage.
Because the event draws so many big names and high-stakes matches, commentary, expert analysis and feature pieces proliferate during the week — making it ideal both for die-hard fans and newcomers looking in.
What to watch out for
- Momentum and stamina: With group play followed by knockouts, players who start strongly but are drained by mid-week may struggle.
- Big names under pressure: Defending champion Littler has the weight of expectation; veterans like van Gerwen will be trying to add to their legacies; newcomers will aim to make break-throughs.
- Format quirks: The shorter group matches can produce upsets, but the longer knockout formats truly test consistency and nerve.
- Value for viewers: With top prize money and prestige, the Grand Slam remains a key measurement of a player’s form ahead of year-end majors.
- Venue atmosphere: Wolverhampton has become synonymous with the Grand Slam’s carnival atmosphere — expect crowd noise, theatrics and unforgettable moments.
Final thoughts
In many respects, the Grand Slam of Darts 2025 is a special edition: the last time at 32 players, a top prize of £150,000 up for grabs, and some of the sharpest fields in recent memory. Whether you’re watching at home or attending live in Wolverhampton, the event offers something for every fan — surprise results, elite talent, and the kind of high-octane entertainment that has made darts so popular in recent years.
So from 8 November to 16 November, mark your calendar: this is darts at its best.
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