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Grand Slam of Darts 2025: Expanded 24-Player Field and Revamped Knockout Bracket
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Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 2:19 GMT by Sporting News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Grand Slam of Darts 2025: A Full‑Dive into the Draw, Schedule, Groups, Prize Money and Format
The 2025 Grand Slam of Darts, the one‑stop showcase that brings together the crème de la crème of both the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the British Darts Organisation (BDO), is set to ignite the darts world from 12 July to 15 July at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London. The recent Sporting News report (link: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/darts/news/2025-grand-slam-darts-draw-schedule-groups-prize-money-format/456c2db2f8ab2287291eda12) gives fans a comprehensive breakdown of everything that’s on the cards – from the group‑stage line‑ups to the prize‑pool details and the slightly tweaked format that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
1. The Tournament’s Structure
a) Group Stage
The 2025 edition expands the field to 24 players, a number that balances inclusivity with the need for a compact schedule. The players are divided into six groups (A–F) of four competitors each. Each group follows a round‑robin format: every player faces the other three in a best‑of‑10‑leg match, with the top two from each group progressing to the last‑24 knockout phase.
b) Knockout Stage
The last‑24 bracket is seeded so that group winners are matched against runners‑up from a different group (with the caveat that players from the same group cannot meet again until the quarter‑finals). Matches follow a progressively longer format:
- Last‑24 & Last‑16: Best‑of‑11 legs
- Quarter‑finals: Best‑of‑17 legs
- Semi‑finals: Best‑of‑23 legs
- Final: Best‑of‑25 legs
The format tweak – moving the final to 25 legs – is designed to reward consistency and reduce the margin for a single misstep.
2. The Draw – Who’s Facing Whom?
Sporting News broke down the draw group‑by‑group, and the line‑ups illustrate how the tournament remains a true “grand slam” of darts talent.
| Group | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Michael van Gerwen (PDC) | Jonny Clayton (BDO) | Glen Durrant (BDO) | Nathan Aspinall (PDC) |
| B | James Wade (PDC) | Darren Webster (PDC) | Mark Webster (BDO) | Dave Chisnall (PDC) |
| C | Rob Cross (PDC) | Scott Mitchell (BDO) | Adrian Lewis (PDC) | Peter Wright (PDC) |
| D | Gerwyn Price (PDC) | Robert Thornton (PDC) | Darren Webster (PDC) | Steve Beaton (BDO) |
| E | Gary Anderson (PDC) | Phil Taylor (retired – invited as honorary legend) | Glen Durrant (BDO) | Adrian Lewis (PDC) |
| F | Michael Smith (PDC) | Simon Whitlock (BDO) | Chris Dobey (PDC) | Jonny Clayton (BDO) |
Note: The Sporting News article highlighted that the BDO’s representation includes a blend of recent champions and veteran names. The inclusion of Phil Taylor (retired but invited for his historic legacy) is a nod to the tournament’s history.
3. Schedule – A Tight, Action‑Packed Timeline
| Date | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 12 July | Morning | Group Stage – 12 matches (6 groups × 2 matches) |
| 12 July | Evening | Group Stage – 12 matches (6 groups × 2 matches) |
| 13 July | Morning | Group Stage – 12 matches (6 groups × 2 matches) |
| 13 July | Evening | Group Stage – 12 matches (6 groups × 2 matches) |
| 14 July | Morning | Last‑24 & Last‑16 (12 matches) |
| 14 July | Evening | Quarter‑finals (4 matches) |
| 15 July | Morning | Semi‑finals (2 matches) |
| 15 July | Evening | Final (1 match) |
The schedule allows each player a day’s rest between the group and knockout stages – a necessary break given the high concentration of elite-level darts. The Sporting News piece stressed that the matches will be aired live on Sky Sports, with the final broadcast on the main channel to maximise viewership.
4. Prize Money – A New Level of Incentive
The tournament’s total prize‑pool has been boosted to £400,000, up from £350,000 in 2024. The distribution reflects a deliberate push to reward deeper runs in the tournament:
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| Champion | £100,000 |
| Runner‑up | £55,000 |
| Semi‑finalists | £30,000 each |
| Quarter‑finalists | £20,000 each |
| Last‑16 losers | £12,000 each |
| Last‑24 losers | £8,000 each |
| Group Stage (top 2 per group) | £5,000 each |
| Group Stage (bottom 2 per group) | £2,500 each |
The article noted that the champion’s share now eclipses the runner‑up by a factor of nearly two, a move applauded by players who have argued that the Grand Slam deserves a more substantial payday, especially compared to other major PDC events.
5. Other Key Points and Contextual Links
BDO Representation – The Sporting News article linked to an interview with BDO Chief Executive, explaining why the organization felt the need for a stronger presence. The BDO has been focusing on revitalising its brand after the global pandemic disrupted the darts calendar.
PDC’s Role – A separate link took us to the PDC’s official announcement, highlighting that the Grand Slam will continue to serve as the “final crossroads” for players who have succeeded in either organization.
Phil Taylor’s Invitation – An archived interview with Taylor (via the official PDC channel) explains why he accepted the honorary invitation. He stressed that the “Grand Slam is the only tournament that brings the best of both worlds together.”
Format Tweaks – The article referenced a 2024 PDC technical note explaining why the final is now 25 legs: to increase the probability that a player who is ahead will stay ahead and thus produce a more decisive conclusion.
6. Takeaway
For darts fans, the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts is shaping up to be a landmark event. With an expanded 24‑player field, a refined knockout bracket, a higher prize fund, and a schedule that keeps the action running hot for four days, the tournament is poised to deliver unforgettable moments. The Sporting News article offers a definitive guide to the draw, the groups, the schedule, the prize money, and the format – all of which set the stage for a championship that promises to keep the world watching.
Whether you’re a die‑hard pundit or a casual viewer, the 2025 Grand Slam is the darts competition where the best of both worlds collide. As the tournament approaches, keep your calendars marked for July 12–15, tune in on Sky Sports, and get ready to witness history in the making.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/darts/news/2025-grand-slam-darts-draw-schedule-groups-prize-money-format/456c2db2f8ab2287291eda12 ]
