Luke Littler heads to Leicester seeking to defend his World Grand Prix title, but Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, James Wade and in-form Ross Smith are among the players hoping to challenge him in the double-in, double-out event.
The World Grand Prix runs from September 28 to October 4 at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena. Littler, 19, will open against Luke Woodhouse. A win would set up a second-round match against either Nathan Aspinall or Kevin Doets.
Littler arrives after a quarter-final exit at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, where Jonny Clayton beat him 10-4. The report says the teenager had been pursuing a clean sweep after winning the season’s first six major titles. Stephen Bunting defended Littler after he was booed and whistled during the Amsterdam event, calling the crowd noise difficult for players trying to concentrate.
Humphries begins against Dave Chisnall and could meet Chris Dobey or Jermaine Wattimena next. He is also protecting his position at world No. 2: the source says he must at least match his previous World Grand Prix final run to avoid giving Gian van Veen a chance to overtake him. Humphries said he plans to return to practice and fight to retain the ranking.
Wade and Smith arrive with recent titles. Wade ended a decade-long wait for a European Tour win at the Flanders Darts Trophy, beating Smith in the final. Smith had won the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam, his second major title, and starts against Cameron Menzies.
Price will try to end a four-year wait for another major crown, while six-time World Grand Prix winner Michael van Gerwen is seeking a return to form. Wessel Nijman, who has won four Players Championship and two Euro Tour titles this season according to the report, and Doets are also listed among players to watch.