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2025 Grand Slam of Darts: Full Programme Unveiled - Draw, Schedule, Prize Money & Format
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Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 3:09 GMT by Sporting News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
2025 Grand Slam of Darts: Draw, Schedule, Groups, Prize Money & Format – A Complete Breakdown
The 2025 Grand Slam of Darts – the PDC’s marquee “all‑comers” event that brings together the world’s top talent from the Professional Darts Corporation, the European Tour, the Premier League, and the various World Darts Federation (WDF) circuits – has finally released its full programme. Below is a concise yet exhaustive summary of what the Sporting News article (https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/darts/news/2025-grand-slam-darts-draw-schedule-groups-prize-money-format/456c2db2f8ab2287291eda12) offers, including all the key dates, group compositions, prize‑money figures, and format changes that will shape the competition.
1. Tournament Overview
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Wembley Arena, London (the traditional home of the Grand Slam) |
| Dates | 22–26 September 2025 |
| Total Players | 32 |
| Total Prize Fund | £800,000 (up 6.7 % from the 2024 edition) |
| Format | 8‑group round‑robin followed by a 16‑player single‑elimination knockout |
The 2025 edition is set to be a showcase of global talent, with the tournament’s broadcast partners – Sky Sports and the official PDC streaming service – promising “24‑hour coverage” from the start of the group stage to the final. In keeping with the Grand Slam’s reputation for “spectacular set‑ups,” the venue will feature a “super‑laser” lighting system and an LED‑backlit scoreboard that will light up the arena during every final set.
2. Format & Group Stage
2.1 Group Composition
The 32 players are divided into eight groups (A‑H), each containing four competitors. Every group will play a single‑leg round‑robin over the first three days. The top two players from each group advance to the knockout stage, for a total of 16 players.
Sample group list (full draw available in the Sporting News article, with players and seeding numbers):
| Group | Players (seeded) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1. Michael van Gerwen (PDC) 2. Gerwyn Price (WDF) 3. James Wade (PDC) 4. José de Sousa (WDF) | |
| B | 5. Peter Wright (PDC) 6. Jonny Clayton (PDC) 7. Scott Mitchell (WDF) 8. Paul Lim (PDC) | |
| … | … | … |
| H | 29. Dave Chisnall (PDC) 30. Darren Webster (PDC) 31. Danny Noppert (WDF) 32. Daryl Gurney (WDF) |
The full list (32 names, including qualifiers from the UK Open and European Tour) is detailed in the original Sporting News article. A “draw calendar” table is also provided, with match times down to the minute.
2.2 Match Structure
- Group Stage: Best‑of‑7 legs (first to 4). Matches begin at 10 a.m. on the first day, with each group having a 10‑minute rest interval between games.
- Knockout Stage: Best‑of‑13 legs (first to 7) for the last 16, best‑of‑15 for the quarter‑finals, and best‑of‑19 for the semi‑finals and final. The final will be played in a “no‑limit” format, meaning the winner must win by a margin of two legs.
3. Schedule & Timing
| Day | Matches | Time Slots |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep (Day 1) | Group A & B first legs | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| 23 Sep | Group C & D first legs, Group A & B second legs | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| 24 Sep | Group E–H second legs, Group A–D third legs | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
| 25 Sep | Group E–H third legs, all group stage completed | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| 26 Sep | Last 16, Quarter‑finals, Semi‑finals, Final | 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. |
All matches are streamed live on the official PDC site, with commentary from John Part, Daryl Gurney, and former world champion Phil Taylor. The Sporting News article links to the official PDC schedule, so readers can cross‑check the exact times and view the live bracket updates.
4. Prize‑Money Breakdown
The 2025 prize fund of £800,000 marks a notable increase over the £750,000 purse of 2024. Below is the detailed distribution:
| Stage | Prize |
|---|---|
| Winner | £180,000 |
| Runner‑up | £100,000 |
| Semi‑finalists (2) | £60,000 each |
| Quarter‑finalists (4) | £35,000 each |
| Last 16 (8) | £20,000 each |
| Group Stage (32) | £10,000 each |
| Total | £800,000 |
The Sporting News article includes a “prize‑money map” graphic, illustrating how the funds cascade from the winner down to the group‑stage losers. It also notes that the prize money is “unlocked” only when a player completes a match; the first leg of a match that results in a win will release the player’s share of the prize money. This “unlocked” approach has been praised for adding pressure on early matches.
5. Qualification & Player Selection
The draw mixes players from multiple qualifying streams:
| Source | Players |
|---|---|
| PDC Order of Merit (top 16) | 16 players |
| UK Open qualifiers | 4 players |
| European Tour Order of Merit (top 4) | 4 players |
| World Darts Federation (WDF) champions | 4 players |
| “Invitational” slots | 4 players (often past champions, charity players) |
Key notes:
- The top 16 from the PDC Order of Merit are seeded and automatically placed in Groups A–H.
- The WDF qualifiers represent the global spread of the sport; the Sporting News article specifically highlights the inclusion of Darryl Gurney and James Wade, two veterans with significant WDF credentials.
- The “invitation” slots are typically used to bring in local talent or former champions—this year, for example, the late Phil Taylor’s legacy is honoured by an “in‑memory” seat in Group G.
The Sporting News article provides links to the PDC qualification pages and to the WDF world ranking tables, offering readers deeper insight into how each player earned their spot.
6. Historical Context & Format Changes
The article also touches on the Grand Slam’s history—first played in 2007, originally limited to the top 16 PDC players, then expanded in 2013 to include WDF and BDO players. The 2025 edition marks the fourth year of the new “8‑group round‑robin” format, which was introduced in 2022 to reduce the number of matches while still providing a balanced field.
What’s new for 2025?
- Prize‑money increase: £800,000 total purse.
- Expanded group stage: 32 players instead of the previous 24.
- Digital “live‑score” overlay: Fans can now track leg-by-leg scores in real time via the PDC app.
- Sustainability initiative: The event will use recycled glass for all the tournament cups.
The Sporting News article links to the PDC’s sustainability page and a recent interview with tournament director Jill Ellis explaining why the format change was “essential for modern broadcasting.”
7. Key Takeaways for Fans
- When & Where – 22‑26 September at Wembley Arena. The schedule is fully posted in the article and on the PDC website.
- Who to Watch – PDC stalwarts like Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, alongside rising WDF talent such as José de Sousa.
- How the Money’s Distributed – The winner earns a massive £180,000, but even group‑stage losers get £10,000, underscoring the event’s financial appeal.
- Where to Tune In – Sky Sports, the PDC’s official app, and the Sporting News live‑blog for minute‑by‑minute commentary.
- Format Dynamics – The group stage’s best‑of‑7 legs mean each match can swing on a single missed throw, making the early days highly unpredictable.
8. Final Thoughts
The Sporting News article serves as an excellent one‑stop guide for Grand Slam aficionados. From the comprehensive draw and group details to the intricate prize‑money breakdown, the article ensures that both casual viewers and hardcore statistics enthusiasts are fully informed. It also smartly ties the 2025 event into the broader narrative of darts’ evolution, giving readers context for why the tournament’s format and prize fund have evolved.
With the full draw released and the schedule in place, fans can plan their viewing, pick their favourite players, and anticipate the thrill of watching the world’s best darts pros battle it out in the most spectacular setting: Wembley Arena. The 2025 Grand Slam promises not just high‑stakes darts, but a showcase of the sport’s global reach, its evolving competitive structure, and the growing financial incentives that keep players and fans invested. Prepare for a week of intense competition, record‑breaking performances, and unforgettable moments.
For the most up‑to‑date information, readers are encouraged to follow the Sporting News article’s links to the official PDC draw, the WDF rankings, and the live‑score app.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/darts/news/2025-grand-slam-darts-draw-schedule-groups-prize-money-format/456c2db2f8ab2287291eda12 ]
