Express & Star

Grand Slam of Darts back in Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton Civic Hall's biggest event of the year, the Grand Slam of Darts, returns in November to boost the city's economy by bringing in thousands of spectators.

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The annual contest, which features 32 of the world's top throwers, will take place between November 8 and 16.

Now in its eight year, the Grand Slam puts Wolverhampton in the national spotlight by attracting thousands of fans.

They flock to the Civic to watch the likes of Phil "The Power" Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade. All of the action is also broadcast on Sky Sports.

Last year, more than 11,000 people crammed into the Civic over nine days, securing the venue's biggest attendance of 2013.

Check out our picture gallery of darts-mad fans enjoying themselves at the Civic during the 2013 offering.

Rupert Knowlden, operations manager, said the event saw hundreds of thousands of pounds spent in the city.

"This is a very high-profile event and our biggest one of the year, with big crowds guaranteed over nine days and 12 sessions of darts," he said.

"The live TV coverage also does wonders for the profile of the city. With people coming from all over the country, it's a real boost to trade in Wolverhampton."

Darts has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years, with TV viewing figures sky-rocketing and venues around the country alive to cries of "one hundred and eighty".

Take an interactive tour of last year's Grand Slam at Wolverhampton Civic Hall with the PDC's Master of Ceremonies John McDonald:

A night at the darts has become the ultimate lads' night out, with fans dressing up in costumes and spending big bucks on drinks, accommodation and in pubs and clubs afterwards.

Even mainstream TV is getting involved, with next year's Comic Relief set to feature as-yet-unnamed celebrities competing alongside professionals in a show presented by Gabby Logan.

The Grand Slam is run by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and is the only one in the UK to feature its own players competing against rivals from the British Darts Organisation (BDO).

Tickets priced from £20-35 with a 10 per cent booking fee go on priority sale to PDC members at 9am tomorrow (31) and to the general public at 3am on August 4.

The Grand Slam action starts with players split into eight groups of four in a round robin phase.

They are whittled down to a final pairing who battle it out to decide the champion of champions. The 2013 final was won by Phil Taylor who comfortably beat Robert Thornton.

Hometown hero Wayne Jones, who reached the semi-finals in 2010, is involved in a battle to secure his place on the oche for November's tournament.

He said: "It is a great tournament featuring the cream of the world's players.

"More people are getting into darts all over the country and the popularity is helping the quality of competition improve all the time, particularly among younger players."

For tickets, call Midland Box Office on 0870 320 7000 or book online via wolvescivic.co.uk

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