Grand Slam of Darts 2026: Everything you need to know as Wolverhampton prepares for nine days of action

Thousands of darts fans will descend on Wolverhampton next month as the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts returns to Aldersley Stadium.

The popular tournament will bring together some of the world's biggest names in darts for nine days of action, with colourful fancy dress, lively crowds and plenty of entertainment expected throughout the event.

Taking place from Saturday, November 14, to Sunday, November 22, the tournament has become one of the highlights of the city's sporting calendar, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Defending champion Luke Littler will be among the star attractions as he bids to claim a third consecutive Grand Slam title, with the winner set to take home the Eric Bristow Trophy and £200,000 in prize money.

With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 players this year, there will be even more action for supporters to enjoy.

Here is everything fans need to know ahead of the event.

Where is the Grand Slam of Darts taking place?

The tournament will once again be held at Aldersley Stadium in Wolverhampton, which has hosted the event since 2018.

The Grand Slam was previously staged at Wolverhampton Civic Hall from its inception in 2007 until 2017, before moving to Aldersley while the Civic and Wulfrun halls underwent refurbishment.

The only exception came in 2020, when the tournament was played behind closed doors at Coventry's Ricoh Arena due to the Covid pandemic.

Despite the reopening of the Civic Hall, the PDC has committed to remaining at Aldersley, citing its larger capacity and suitability for the event.

PDC chief executive Matt Porter previously said the venue allowed more supporters to enjoy the tournament from tables inside the arena.

"We've got a very strong relationship with them, they love having the Grand Slam, they know it's good for the profile of the city and we know it's the right city to host that event," he said.

When does the tournament start?

The opening session will begin at 1pm on Saturday, November 14, with the tournament running until the final on Sunday, November 22.

There will be 12 sessions across the nine days, beginning with afternoon and evening sessions on the opening weekend.

The first Saturday and Sunday will each feature sessions at 1pm and 7pm, with eight best-of-nine-leg matches in each.

Monday and Tuesday will see evening sessions beginning at 7pm, before the second round takes place on Wednesday and Thursday.

The quarter-finals will be played on Friday and Saturday, with the semi-finals scheduled for 1pm on Sunday, November 22, followed by the final at 7.30pm.

Each session can accommodate up to 2,000 spectators, with a mixture of table seating and tiered seating at the rear of the arena.

Large screens will also be installed to allow supporters to follow the action on stage.

Which players will be competing?

Some of the biggest names in world darts are expected to feature, including defending champion and world champion Luke Littler.

The teenager defeated Luke Humphries 16-11 in last year's final and will be looking to secure a third successive title.

Former Grand Slam winners Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price are also among the leading names, alongside established stars Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Rob Cross.

The tournament has expanded to 48 players for 2026, with places awarded to finalists and winners of major PDC televised tournaments, alongside qualifiers from other competitions.

Players from the Challenge Tour, Development Tour, Women's Series and a number of international championships will also have opportunities to compete.

The revised format will see 16 groups of three players, with each group winner advancing to the last 16.

How much are tickets?

Tickets for the tournament are already close to selling out, although some availability remains through the official PDC ticketing website.

For the opening weekend, table seats cost £48.60, while tiered seats are priced at £37.80.

From Monday onwards, table seats cost £43.20, with tiered seating available for £32.40.

Tickets can be purchased through the official PDC ticketing website, subject to availability.

What parking restrictions will be in place?

There are no planned road closures around Aldersley Stadium during the tournament, but strict parking restrictions will be enforced.

Parking will not be permitted along Aldersley Road or adjoining streets, with motorists advised not to attempt to park in the surrounding residential areas.

Limited parking will be available at the stadium itself, costing £13 per session, and drivers will need to show proof of their parking booking when entering the grounds.

Shuttle buses will also operate between Wolverhampton city centre and Aldersley before and after sessions.

Return tickets will cost £5 per person.

What food and drink will be available?

Supporters will have access to a range of food and drink options throughout the tournament.

A large bar area will be located behind the tiered seating, while food vendors will operate outside the arena near the athletics track.

The Costa Coffee unit at Aldersley will also be available.

Beer prices at PDC events typically average around £7.25 per pint, or £29 for a four-pint jug, although prices at this year's tournament may vary.

Merchandise stalls will also be set up inside the venue, giving fans the chance to purchase darts-related clothing and souvenirs.

What atmosphere can fans expect?

The Grand Slam has become renowned for its lively atmosphere, with supporters regularly attending in elaborate fancy dress costumes.

From superheroes and film characters to inflatable outfits and matching group costumes, the tournament has developed a reputation for being as much about the entertainment off the oche as the action on it.

With up to 2,000 spectators attending each session, the venue is expected to be packed with supporters cheering on their favourite players.

The combination of world-class darts, colourful costumes and enthusiastic crowds has helped establish the Grand Slam as one of Wolverhampton's biggest annual sporting events.

Further information about the tournament, including the draw and full list of competing players, is available on the PDC website.