A look back: Littler’s World Grand Prix exit sends shockwaves, Ross Smith and Gerwyn Price set up blockbuster and a high average is no guarantee of success
PDC
The opening round of the World Grand Prix 2026 is in the books, and the field has already been cut in half. Of the 32 players who started the tournament in Leicester on Monday and Tuesday, only sixteen remain. A quick look at the results makes it hard to deny that the first cull delivered plenty of shocks.
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The World Grand Prix is known for its double-in, double-out format, which often produces upsets. This year was no different, as the first round made clear straight away. Before the race for the quarter-finals begins, it’s time to take stock. What stood out in the first round of the World Grand Prix 2026?
Littler’s exit jolts the tournament
We have to start with the shock elimination of Luke Littler. A shock? Make that a huge one. “The Nuke” arrived as the overwhelming favourite to defend his title at the World Grand Prix.
Littler has been in the middle of a remarkable year. For a long time he seemed on course for a historic clean sweep, winning all the big majors in the same calendar year. That dream burst at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he went out early. Even so, the World Grand Prix looked a prime chance to add further silverware to his bulging cabinet.
It turned out very differently. Against Luke Woodhouse, Littler never hit his usual heights and never really got going. An average of just 82.41 left him a long way short of the standards we now expect from the world champion. Woodhouse took full advantage and sealed a 2-1 win, one of the round’s biggest shocks.
Of course, it’s worth stressing the bar is now incredibly high for the 19-year-old Englishman. An average many players would happily take is quickly judged underwhelming for Littler. Still, it’s hard to deny he currently lacks the sparkle we’ve seen so often in recent months.
For the first time in a while, Littler seems to have hit a minor dip. That’s no reason for alarm. The calendar also gives him room to reset. The next major, the European Championship in Dortmund, is not for another three weeks. That gives Littler time to recharge, park the disappointment, and prime himself for the next big target.
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One thing is certain: when Littler steps back on stage in Dortmund, all eyes will be on whether “The Nuke” can rediscover his familiar level.
Fresh disappointment for Van Gerwen
Beyond Littler’s defeat, there was another major upset in round one. Though, to be fair, it was less shocking than “The Nuke’s” exit. Michael van Gerwen has been wrestling with form and results for some time. His last ranked major title dates back to 2022, when he won the Players Championship Finals.
Van Gerwen arrived in Leicester with question marks. Even so, given his pedigree and his record at the World Grand Prix, many still expected him to get past Ryan Joyce. Especially at a tournament that has brought him so much success. It didn’t happen.
Michael van Gerwen fell at the opening hurdle for the third year running
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The 37-year-old Dutchman suffered another setback, bowing out 2-1 to Joyce after a tight contest. It was another early exit at a major for “Mighty Mike”, who in recent years has looked further removed from the force that dominated the PDC for so long. It was also the third straight year Van Gerwen failed to get past the opening round at the World Grand Prix.
In terms of the world rankings, the Leicester loss has limited impact. Van Gerwen didn’t earn ranking money here last year either, so there was nothing to defend this week. In the short term, his Order of Merit position will barely shift.
Even so, the situation is becoming more pressing. Over the coming months he has significant sums to defend and cannot afford an endless run of poor results. Those hoping to see him climb back to the very top will be looking for a string of strong performances soon.
The next stretch is important for Van Gerwen. He needs not only a title, but above all the rhythm and belief that made him one of the world’s best for years. Leicester didn’t offer signs of that improvement.
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Michael van Gerwen’s last five World Grand Prix campaigns
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2026 | First round | Ryan Joyce | 1-2 |
| 2025 | First round | Dirk van Duijvenbode | 0-2 |
| 2024 | First round | Daryl Gurney | 0-2 |
| 2023 | Second round | Chris Dobey | 2-3 |
| 2022 | Winner | Nathan Aspinall | 5-3 |
Record number of Dutchmen reach round two
The Netherlands sent eight players to the World Grand Prix this year, and five remain after the opening round. That already guarantees a historic record for the Dutch contingent in Leicester. Never before did so many Dutch players start the World Grand Prix, and never before did so many countrymen reach the second round of the prestigious tournament.
We covered Michael van Gerwen’s exit above. In the all-Dutch clash between Gian van Veen and Dirk van Duijvenbode, one of them had to go out anyway (Van Veen won 2-0), while Kevin Doets also had to pack his bags. Hawkeye created plenty of chances against Nathan Aspinall and even missed match darts, before the Englishman pounced.
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But let’s focus on the positives. With five Dutchmen in the last 16, plenty can still happen this week. Especially after the surprise elimination of defending champion Luke Littler, the World Grand Prix looks wide open.
Niels Zonneveld’s match was one to remember. Triple Z is enjoying a strong year and again showed in Leicester that he has taken important steps in recent months. Against Josh Rock, the Dutchman started superbly, but after the Northern Irishman levelled at 1-1 in sets with a sensational finish, Zonneveld had to dig deep again.
Niels Zonneveld produced an upset by beating Josh Rock
At the exact moment it truly mattered, however, Zonneveld showed his class. He stayed calm, kept his nerves in check, and took the decider. That earned him not only a key win, but also sent a clear message: Zonneveld has become a player to be reckoned with this year.
Zonneveld will face Gary Anderson in the second round. On paper another tough assignment awaits, but after his display against Rock, the Dutchman will head into that tie with confidence. Given his form this year, there are opportunities even against the Scot.
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Wessel Nijman will also have breathed a sigh of relief after his opener in Leicester. The 26-year-old Dutchman dispatched Rob Cross 2-0 in convincing style, a key step in his push for a big result. Nijman has been a prolific winner this season with six ranking titles, but results at the major TV events had been slower to arrive.
That is why the World Grand Prix could be a pivotal moment for Nijman. He meets Jonny Clayton in round two and will not settle for merely making the last 16. Nijman has already proved he can win tournaments this year and is aiming for the top prize this week. His dominant start against Cross will have boosted belief.
Alongside Van Veen, Zonneveld, and Nijman, both Danny Noppert and Jermaine Wattimena also won their first matches in Leicester. That makes five Dutchmen in the second round. An unprecedented tally and an achievement that already writes its own piece of history.
And there could be more to come. With Littler out and several other big names also falling early, this year feels particularly open in Leicester. The brief for the Dutch quintet is simple: seize the opportunities and stay in the tournament as long as possible. One thing is clear after round one: the Netherlands is making its presence felt at this World Grand Prix.
| Year | Number of Dutch players in second round |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 5 |
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Seeds hold firm
After the first round we can also draw a notable conclusion about the seeds. While the World Grand Prix has often delivered upsets in the past, the top of the field held up strikingly well this year. Only four of the sixteen seeds went out after their openers. That is the lowest number in the past five years.
We have already discussed the three most eye-catching names. Defending champion Luke Littler lost surprisingly to Luke Woodhouse, Michael van Gerwen fell to Ryan Joyce, and Josh Rock came off second best against Niels Zonneveld. Three big names exited, but the majority of seeds advanced to round two without major alarm.
The fourth player who missed out was Chris Dobey. The Englishman started his World Grand Prix poorly and went out 2-0 to Jermaine Wattimena. For the Dutchman, the win was a timely boost, while Dobey had to abandon his ambitions early.
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The contrast with last year is striking. At the 2025 World Grand Prix seven of the sixteen seeds fell in round one. This year, only four did. That means no fewer than twelve seeded players have survived the opening cull.
That does not mean Leicester has been short on shocks. The exits of Littler and Van Gerwen stand out, of course. Yet the bigger picture shows the established order handled round one far better this time. With twelve seeds still in, the last 16 features a genuinely imposing field.
| Year | Seeds eliminated in first round |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
England on top in the second round
Players from nine different countries started the World Grand Prix, but only four remain after round one. International variety has dipped sharply, while one nation in particular is calling the shots in Leicester: England.
No fewer than eight English players have booked their place in the last 16. Exactly half of the remaining field hails from England. Luke Humphries is the highest-ranked player left in the draw. The former world champion is joined by Nathan Aspinall, Ryan Joyce, Ross Smith, Luke Woodhouse, Ryan Searle, James Wade, and Stephen Bunting.
The presence of Joyce and Woodhouse is especially eye-catching. They delivered two of the biggest upsets in round one. Joyce took out Michael van Gerwen, while Woodhouse dumped out defending champion Luke Littler. Their wins ensure England enter round two with notably strong representation.
The Netherlands are the next best-represented nation. As outlined earlier, five Dutch players remain: Gian van Veen, Niels Zonneveld, Wessel Nijman, Danny Noppert, and Jermaine Wattimena. Only England has more players in the second round.
Wales still have two irons in the fire. Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price came through their openers, keeping the Welsh flag flying in Leicester. Clayton meets Nijman in round two, while Price faces Noppert.
Finally, Scotland have one man left in Gary Anderson. The former world champion made the last 16 and will face Niels Zonneveld.
In short, the second round is dominated by players from England, the Netherlands, Wales, and Scotland. Of the nine nations that started, only four remain. And with thirteen of the last sixteen coming from England or the Netherlands, the international balance is clear: the race for the Sid Waddell Trophy now looks primarily Anglo-Dutch, with Wales and Scotland flying the other flags.
| Year | Countries represented in the second round |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Impressive Price tops the averages
“I don’t like the World Grand Prix and I don’t like the format, to be honest I don’t like the tournament at all.” Gerwyn Price left little room for doubt after his 2-0 win over Sebastian Bialecki. The Welshman clearly has no love for the Grand Prix’s unique format, but you would not have known it from his stage level.
Price produced an outstanding display in his opener. The Iceman clocked a ton-plus average, a rarity at the World Grand Prix. The double-in, double-out format often makes it hard to marry scoring power with the required doubling.
He again showed that personal dislike of the event does not stop him performing. He has proved that before. Back in 2020 he lifted the World Grand Prix title. It remains a striking contradiction: Price may not care for the tournament or the format, yet he handles both superbly.
Gerwyn Price posted the highest average in the opening round
That 100+ tournament average also makes him one to watch. Ross Smith awaits in round two, a notably intriguing matchup. The clash between the Welshman and the Englishman is one of the headline ties of the last 16. Two in-form players meet early in the week.
High averages are not a guarantee of success, as round one also underlined. Looking at the five best averages of the opening round, two of those players still lost their matches.
Kevin Doets and Josh Rock ranked among the statistical standouts, but both were sent packing. Doets averaged 92.27 against Nathan Aspinall, while Rock hit 94.14 against Niels Zonneveld. In both cases it was not enough to get over the line.
It is a neat illustration of what makes the World Grand Prix unique. A big average helps, but in Leicester it comes down to timing, the right double, and hitting the key darts under pressure. Price showed he can thrive despite disliking the format, while Doets and Rock learned that even a strong average offers no guarantee of a place in round two.
Top 5 averages at the World Grand Prix 2026
| Position | Player | Average |
| 1 | Gerwyn Price | 101.61 |
| 2 | Ross Smith | 99.54 |
| 3 | Josh Rock | 94.14 |
| 4 | Kevin Doets | 92.27 |
| 5 | Niels Zonneveld | 92.14 |
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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- I believe he has it in him to qualify for the Worlds as he consistently wins matches, even if it is only one or two at a time, although his recent PC quarter-final run was somewhat encouraging in that regard. I think there is a lot of pressure for him to retire, people in the media accusing him of tarnishing his legacy. I think that is a ridiculous line of thinking. How ungrateful it is to attach terms and conditions to the amazing moments he has provided us over the course of his career. What position are we in to dictate to him how he should manage his career when it is he who achieved those successes in the first place? What's more, this is his life and the passion that sustains it, it is not for us to decide when his career is over when it is he who must bear the genuine ramifications of that decision. Since I'm sure money is not a concern, the only question on which the decision should rest is whether he truly continues to enjoy competing. He has retired once before, but the desire to compete is what brought him back. We see a lot of negative body language and he does genuinely look miserable when he is not playing well, but only he will know when he wakes up the next day whether he wants to go and do it all over again. If he wants to compete, he should, it's as simple as that, this is a decision that should not involve anyone else but him and his family. He should not retire to indulge the whims of the media or the public. What satisfaction would he receive by being forced into retirement? What closure would it bring to such a brilliant career? When Phil Taylor decided to retire, his decision was final and resolute. I believe RvB needs to get to this point himself, no matter how many 70 averages it might take. We see the likes of John Part continue to compete on a regular basis well past his prime, I say more power to him, and who knows, further glory could be around the corner, it's darts after all, you just never know. Sometimes I worry that RvB is acutely aware of the clamour for him to retire and that this pressure may even have an impact on his performances as he begins to question whether there is even a place for him in darts anymore, further compounding his poor form and creating a vicious loop. Perhaps to take his future into his own hands would provide him with a levity and freedom that would lend itself to better performances, not to mention an improved wellbeing. In any case, it is under these conditions that one can clear-headedly and definitively settle an issue so profound as retirement, not when you feel you're being rushed out the door. If his performances can no longer sustain his presence on the tour, so be it; as it stands his card seems safe for this year but is in serious jeopardy next year. He could always allow himself to drop off the tour naturally rather than forfeiting his place in the top 64, this could provide a sense of finality while offering a route back through Q-School if he so desired; after all, he's done it before. In conclusion, I just hope that RvB can play - or not play - for his own sake, rather than anyone else's, so that when the time comes he can be in no doubt as to his decision, leaving no lingering questions, so that he can reflect with no regret or uncertainty on the marvelous career he has had.Deduce635826-09-2026
- Luke Littler has been good for the sport of darts, no question. But he is not above it. For his sake and ours, he needs to be put in his place sometimes, rather than having his every whim catered to. That is not how you build a good person nor a good sporting organisation, and it's beginning to have consequences.Deduce635826-09-2026
- Extremely disappointing decision. It used to be that, along with major events and Euro Tours, the Players Championship series constituted one of three standards against which successful darts players could be measured, one of three challenges every successful darts player should be expected to master to consider themself among the elite. Now they are dead weight in the darting calendar, and player turnout and the standard of competitiveness will reflect that. The truth is that Luke Littler and other big names would rather play lucrative exhibitions than put in the hard graft that being a successful dart player requires. It undermines the authority of the PDC and the game in general. So what do they do about it? Give them exactly what they want. Of course, why wouldn't they? They are their star attractions. It is ironic that an organisation formed in protest by the sport's elite should be undermined and disrespected by their contemporary equivalents, but the PDC had a chance to stand up to them with a firm message: play 2 events all year and expect the final to be played without you. Instead, they caved in. These events will be hardly worth playing anymore and this decision may have grave consequences for the future of floor events at the elite level. Some may say the calendar is overstuffed, yet these elite players have more than enough time to play plenty of exhibitions. The Premier League in particular is gruelling, but busy players are not expected to play every event, they are expected to manage their playing schedule carefully in order to apportion their time and energy appropriately. Clayton and Humphries, for instance, both sit in the top 20 of the Players Championship and European orders of merit, in addition to competing in the Premier League; they have proven it is absolutely possible and this change is an insult to their efforts in effectively managing their calendars. I think we are seeing players who simply think they are too good for Pro Tour events, arrogance which should be punished rather than rewarded as we are seeing here. Furthermore, why should success in Euro Tours qualify you for the Players Championship Final? The PDC are blurring the lines between those three disciplines of darting excellence, and in so doing destabilising the very foundations upon which the organisation and its success is built. Some may say I'm overreacting, but this, in addition to the PDC's subservience and snivelling obsequiousness toward their biggest assets, makes me fear for the future of professional darts.Deduce635826-09-2026
- I guess this will mean the top players will turn up even less? Taken all the excitement of qualifying away I think. Wish they made it top 32 to qualify and the finals to last all week.Baphomet26-09-2026
- Great article - but not written by this site. It's taken wholesale from last Sunday's Observer with this interview published online on Saturday.Scoobedybop22-09-2026
- Such sad and pathetic little losers giving abuse to young woman for any reason, let alone who she is in a relationship with. Go Beau! An absolute star and comes across as a genuinely nice and kind person. Wish her nothing but the best.BandB22-09-2026
- I wouldn't mind if he quit now to be honest. He's not bigger than darts. Let's face it without darts he'd just be a normal fat gamer kid.medinabello22-09-2026
- You know,I said this,in a sentence,not 5 paragraphs!!rick6721-09-2026
- Oh dear,he lost. Well any competitive sport runs the risk of defeat. He is, currently,his own worst enemy. Wind the crowd up,and you get it back bigger. Put your dummy in kidrick6721-09-2026
- Does an exhibition count in the clean sweep though?BandB21-09-2026
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