Grand Slam of Darts

Last updated

Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts
Grand Slam of Darts 2022 at WV Active Aldersley, Wolverhampton.jpg
The stage at the 2022 edition
Tournament information
Venue Civic Hall (2007–17)
WV Active - Aldersley (2018–19, 2021–)
Ricoh Arena (2020)
Location Wolverhampton (2007–19, 2021–)
Coventry (2020)
Country England
Established2007
Organisation(s) PDC
BDO (until 2020)
FormatLegs
Prize fund £650,000 (2022)
Month(s) PlayedNovember
Current champion(s)
Flag of England.svg Luke Littler

The Grand Slam of Darts is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation and is known as the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts for sponsorship purposes. [1] The PDC used to invite the best performing players from its rival, the British Darts Organisation (which went into liquidation in September 2020). There have been two previous head-to-head matches between the champions of the two organisations and a few overseas tournaments have also featured BDO v PDC clashes, but this tournament is the first of its kind to be held in the United Kingdom. This arrangement lasted until the BDO's collapse into liquidation in 2020 [2] and it is unclear whether any other organisation will be invited in future.

Contents

Since the 2015 edition the tournament is classified as a ranking-tournament, being a non-ranking event at previous editions.

Up until 2017, the tournament was staged each November at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall since it began in 2007. Phil Taylor won the first three finals against Andy Hamilton in 2007, Terry Jenkins in 2008 and Scott Waites in 2009. Taylor did not reach the final in 2010, losing to Steve Beaton in the quarter-finals. [3] Scott Waites won that year, beating James Wade 16–12 in the final having trailed 8–0, making him the only BDO player to win the title. Taylor reclaimed the title in 2011, defeating Gary Anderson 16–4. Raymond van Barneveld defeated Michael van Gerwen 16–14 in the 2012 final, but Taylor regained the trophy in 2013, retained it in 2014, before losing to van Gerwen in 2015. Van Gerwen then retained it in 2016 and again in 2017 before Gerwyn Price won the trophy for the first time in 2018.

In May 2018, the PDC announced that the Grand Slam of Darts trophy would be renamed in honour of the recently deceased Eric Bristow. [4]

That year, with renovations being done to the Civic Hall, the Grand Slam was moved to a new venue, WV Active - Aldersley formerly Aldersley Leisure Village, which is located around 3 miles north-west of Wolverhampton City Centre. Three Grand Slam of Darts events at Aldersley were won by Gerwyn Price (2018, 2019, 2021). In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the event was held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry behind closed doors, and was won by José de Sousa. The 2021 edition saw the Grand Slam return to the WV Active - Aldersley where it has been held since.

The 2025 edition will see the tournament expand from 32 to 48 players (16 groups of 3), with the prize pool being increased to £1 million.

Finals

[5]

YearChampion (average in final)Ch's
org
ScoreRunner-up (average in final)Prize moneySponsorVenue
TotalChampionRunner-up
2007 Flag of England.svg   Phil Taylor (101.75)PDC18–11 Flag of England.svg   Andy Hamilton (100.97)£300,000£80,000£35,000PartyBets.com Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
2008 Flag of England.svg   Phil Taylor (106.25)18–9 Flag of England.svg   Terry Jenkins (100.92)£356,000£100,000£40,000 PartyPoker.com
2009 Flag of England.svg   Phil Taylor (103.94)16–2 Flag of England.svg   Scott Waites (94.16)£400,000£50,000
2010 Flag of England.svg   Scott Waites (99.86)BDO16–12 Flag of England.svg   James Wade (92.79) Daily Mirror
2011 Flag of England.svg   Phil Taylor (109.04)PDC16–4 Flag of Scotland.svg   Gary Anderson (98.92) William Hill
2012 Flag of the Netherlands.svg   Raymond van Barneveld (95.79)16–14 Flag of the Netherlands.svg   Michael van Gerwen (98.55)
2013 Flag of England.svg   Phil Taylor (98.14)16–6 Flag of Scotland.svg   Robert Thornton (97.02)
2014 Flag of England.svg   Phil Taylor (102.45)16–13 Flag of England.svg   Dave Chisnall (98.02) Singha Beer
2015 Flag of the Netherlands.svg   Michael van Gerwen (100.94)16–13 Flag of England.svg   Phil Taylor (102.53)
2016 Flag of the Netherlands.svg   Michael van Gerwen (98.74)16–8 Flag of England.svg   James Wade (90.73)
2017 Flag of the Netherlands.svg   Michael van Gerwen (102.18)16–12 Flag of Scotland.svg   Peter Wright (97.71)£450,000£110,000£55,000 Bwin
2018 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Gerwyn Price (96.70)16–13 Flag of Scotland.svg   Gary Anderson (97.25)WV Active - Aldersley,
Wolverhampton
2019 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Gerwyn Price (107.86)16–6 Flag of Scotland.svg   Peter Wright (96.28)£550,000£125,000£65,000 BoyleSports
2020 Flag of Portugal.svg   José de Sousa (99.95)16–12 Flag of England.svg   James Wade (94.26) Ricoh Arena, Coventry
2021 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Gerwyn Price (103.90)16–8 Flag of Scotland.svg   Peter Wright (91.51) Cazoo WV Active - Aldersley,
Wolverhampton
2022 Flag of England.svg   Michael Smith (96.84)16–5 Flag of England.svg   Nathan Aspinall (90.94)£650,000£150,000£70,000
2023 Flag of England.svg   Luke Humphries (104.69)16–8 Flag of England.svg   Rob Cross (103.61)Mr Vegas
2024 Flag of England.svg   Luke Littler (107.08)16–3 Flag of England.svg   Martin Lukeman (93.42)

Records and statistics

As of 17 November 2024.

Total finalist appearances

RankPlayerNationalityWonRunner-upFinalsAppearances
1 Phil Taylor Flag of England.svg England 61711
2 Michael van Gerwen Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 31416
3 Gerwyn Price Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales 3037
4 Scott Waites Flag of England.svg England 1126
5 Raymond van Barneveld Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 10114
Luke Humphries Flag of England.svg England 1015
Luke Littler Flag of England.svg England 1011
Michael Smith Flag of England.svg England 10110
José de Sousa Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal 1012
9 James Wade Flag of England.svg England 03316
Peter Wright Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 03311
11 Gary Anderson Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 02216
12 Nathan Aspinall Flag of England.svg England 0114
Dave Chisnall Flag of England.svg England 01111
Rob Cross Flag of England.svg England 0118
Andy Hamilton Flag of England.svg England 0116
Terry Jenkins Flag of England.svg England 0118
Martin Lukeman Flag of England.svg England 0111
Robert Thornton Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 0119

Champions by country

CountryPlayersTotalFirst titleLast title
Flag of England.svg  England 51020072024
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2420122017
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 1320182021
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 1120202020

Nine-dart finishes

Six nine-darters have been thrown at the Grand Slam of Darts. The first one was in 2008.

PlayerYear (+ Round)MethodOpponentResult
Flag of England.svg James Wade 2008, 2nd Round 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson Lost
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Huybrechts 2014, Quarter-Final 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen Won
Flag of England.svg Dave Chisnall 2015, Group Stage 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Flag of Scotland.svg Peter Wright Won
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Dimitri Van den Bergh 2018, 2nd Round 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Flag of England.svg Stephen Bunting Won
Ulster Banner.svg Josh Rock 2022, 2nd Round 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen Lost
Flag of England.svg Ryan Searle 2023, Group Stage 3 x T20; 3 x T20; T20, T19, D12 Ulster Banner.svg Nathan Rafferty Won

High averages

Ten highest Grand Slam of Darts one-match winning averages
AveragePlayerYear (+ Round)OpponentResult
115.19 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2021, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Joe Cullen 5–2
114.85 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Dimitri Van den Bergh 2020, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Ricky Evans 5–1
114.71 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Gian van Veen 2024, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Stephen Bunting 5–1
114.65 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 2014, Group Stage Flag of the Netherlands.svg Christian Kist 5–1
113.86 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Geert De Vos 2015, Group Stage Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonny Clayton 5–0
113.62 Flag of England.svg Michael Smith 2019, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Nathan Aspinall 5–1
113.20 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 2024, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Ryan Joyce 5–1
112.66 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2018, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Gary Robson 5–1
112.54 Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 2018, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Ian White 5–1
112.37 Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 2011, 2nd Round Flag of England.svg Wes Newton 10–3
Five highest one-match losing averages
AveragePlayerYear (+ Round)OpponentResult
111.10 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Wessel Nijman 2024, Group Stage Flag of the Netherlands.svg Gian van Veen 4–5
110.99 Flag of England.svg Adrian Lewis 2013, Semi-Final Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 9–16
109.15 Flag of Germany.svg Martin Schindler 2024, Group Stage Flag of the Netherlands.svg Danny Noppert 2–5
108.68 Flag of England.svg Adrian Lewis 2016, Group Stage Flag of England.svg Chris Dobey 3–5
107.92 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2018, Group Stage Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonny Clayton 4–5
Different players with a 100+ match average (Updated 17/11/24)
PlayerTotalHighest Av.Year (+ Round)
Flag of England.svg Phil Taylor 45114.65 2014, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 44115.19 2021, Group Stage
Flag of Scotland.svg Gary Anderson 35113.20 2024, Group Stage
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gerwyn Price 17112.30 2023, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Michael Smith 16113.62 2019, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg James Wade 16111.71 2021, Group Stage
Flag of Scotland.svg Peter Wright 15107.36 2016, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Raymond van Barneveld 13110.15 2016, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Adrian Lewis 12110.99 2013, Semi-Finals
Flag of England.svg Rob Cross 11105.76 2017, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Luke Humphries 10107.04 2022, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Luke Littler 7112.16 2024, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Dave Chisnall 7109.84 2015, Group Stage
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Simon Whitlock 7108.86 2018, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Stephen Bunting 7106.70 2021, Group Stage
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Dimitri Van den Bergh 6114.85 2020, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Scott Waites 6103.79 2012, Group Stage
Flag of Austria.svg Mensur Suljović 5105.85 2021, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Andy Hamilton 5105.64 2008, Group Stage
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jonny Clayton 5104.30 2021, Last 16
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Gian van Veen 4114.71 2024, Group Stage
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Huybrechts 4106.50 2015, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Danny Noppert 4106.28 2024, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Mervyn King 4104.31 2015, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Terry Jenkins 4103.09 2009, Group Stage
Flag of Scotland.svg Robert Thornton 4102.42 2012, Last 16
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Wessel Nijman 3111.10 2024, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Ian White 3108.04 2020, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Scott Mitchell 3107.78 2016, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Glen Durrant 3106.05 2017, Group Stage
Ulster Banner.svg Josh Rock 3105.83 2024, Group Stage
Flag of Poland.svg Krzysztof Ratajski 3104.18 2020, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Keegan Brown 3103.66 2018, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Ryan Searle 3103.59 2022, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Tony O'Shea 3102.63 2010, Group Stage
Flag of Germany.svg Martin Schindler 2109.15 2024, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Ross Smith 2107.92 2022, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Ritchie Edhouse 2105.00 2024, Group Stage
Flag of Austria.svg Rowby-John Rodriguez 2104.82 2021, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Nathan Aspinall 2104.65 2019, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Dean Winstanley 2104.55 2011, Last 16
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Mike De Decker 2104.49 2024, Last 16v
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Wesley Harms 2103.98 2018, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Ted Hankey 2103.75 2010, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Co Stompé 2103.44 2009, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Darren Webster 2103.44 2017, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Steve Beaton 2101.31 2010, Last 16
Ulster Banner.svg Daryl Gurney 2100.80 2019, Group Stage
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Geert De Vos 1113.86 2015, Group Stage
Flag of Germany.svg Gabriel Clemens 1110.27 2019, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Roland Scholten 1110.21 2007, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Ryan Joyce 1108.11 2021, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Scott Williams 1107.46 2022, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Jamie Hughes 1106.32 2016, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Kevin McDine 1105.79 2007, Last 16
Flag of England.svg Martin Adams 1104.82 2015, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jelle Klaasen 1104.69 2015, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Connor Scutt 1104.38 2024, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jermaine Wattimena 1104.32 2024, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Dennis Priestley 1103.53 2007, Group Stage
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Martin Phillips 1103.28 2010, Group Stage
Ulster Banner.svg Nathan Rafferty 1103.09 2023, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dirk van Duijvenbode 1102.89 2022, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Wes Newton 1102.46 2012, Group Stage
Flag of the United States.svg Stowe Buntz 1102.28 2023, Group Stage
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jim Williams 1101.60 2018, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Colin Lloyd 1101.55 2009, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Fallon Sherrock 1101.55 2021, Group Stage
Flag of Sweden.svg Magnus Caris 1101.52 2011, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Andrew Gilding 1101.52 2018, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Wayne Jones 1101.48 2007, Group Stage
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Webster 1101.43 2011, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Luke Woodhouse 1101.26 2022, Group Stage
Flag of Scotland.svg Ross Montgomery 1100.96 2017, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Vincent van der Voort 1100.92 2010, Group Stage
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Benito van de Pas 1100.90 2016, Group Stage
Ulster Banner.svg Mickey Mansell 1100.87 2024, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Kevin Painter 1100.74 2009, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Mark McGeeney 1100.40 2017, Group Stage
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg John Part 1100.38 2009, Group Stage
Flag of Ireland.svg Steve Lennon 1100.20 2017, Group Stage
Flag of England.svg Justin Pipe 1100.08 2013, Group Stage
Flag of Portugal.svg José de Sousa 1100.03 2020, Group Stage
Five highest tournament averages
AveragePlayerYear
107.67 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Wessel Nijman 2024
106.58 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Gian van Veen 2024
105.81 Flag of England.svg Luke Littler 2024
105.42 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2015
105.12 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michael van Gerwen 2017

Previous BDO v PDC tournaments

There have been previous tournaments in which players from both the PDC and BDO have competed. Between 1997 and 2001, several BDO players competed in the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix – this was as a result of a 1997 Tomlin Order which allowed freedom of players to enter more events. This was later restricted from the start of 2002 onwards, when eligibility rules allowed only Professional Dart Players Association members to compete in the tournaments.

The 2005 Masters of Darts was the first tournament to feature the top players from each organisation. In 2006 and 2007, following Raymond van Barneveld's move to the PDC, the Dutch organisers of the International Darts League and World Darts Trophy invited some top PDC players to compete alongside BDO players.

Perennial participants

As the Grand Slam is an invitational tournament for players who have reached major finals and semi-finals, or been the top of their countries' respective rankings, there is a certain degree of prestige attached to qualifying for the tournament, and even more for entrants who qualify multiple times. Gary Anderson and James Wade qualified for 15 successive tournaments between 2007 and 2021, before missing their first event in 2022.

Television coverage

ITV screened the first four editions of the Grand Slam of Darts, which ended their 19-year absence from regular darts coverage (although they did show a one-off Clash of Champions match between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld in 1999). [6] The inaugural event saw selected first-round games, the semi-finals, and the final all screened live on ITV1 and the rest of the tournament live on ITV4 but the live coverage was moved entirely to ITV4 in subsequent years, with highlights packages being the only coverage of the event on ITV1.

The tournament proved popular on ITV4, with the 2009 event achieving nine out of the top ten places in the channel's output for that week. Viewing figures ranged from 208,000 to 435,000 with the final itself watched by 454,000. [7] ITV extended their contract with the PDC to show the tournament until at least 2010. [8]

The presenting team consisted of lead presenter Matt Smith, and analysts Alan Warriner-Little and Chris Mason (who replaced Steve Beaton in 2008). The commentating team included Stuart Pyke, who also commentates on darts for Sky Sports, boxing commentator John Rawling, and Peter Drury. Janie Omorogbe provided reporting duties and player interviews.

On 25 January 2011, it was announced that Sky Sports would broadcast the event until 2018. [9] [10] Sky continues to air the event with its current deal running until 2025.

Sponsorship

The sponsors of the event were PartyBets.com (2007) and PartyPoker.com (2008–09), websites operated by Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, the Daily Mirror newspaper (2010), William Hill (2011–13), Singha Beer (2014–16), [11] bwin (2017–18) and BoyleSports (2019–2020). Cazoo took over as sponsors from 2021, as part of a deal where they will also sponsor the PDC World Cup of Darts and the European Championship. In October 2023, Mr Vegas was named as title sponsor. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mr Vegas becomes title sponsor Grand Slam of Darts & Nordic Darts Masters". PDC.tv. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  2. "BDO era comes to an end as counties join UKDA". Dartsnews.com. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  3. "Taylor beaten by Beaton". Sky Sports . British Sky Broadcasting. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  4. Waters, Mike (2 May 2018). "Darts legend Eric Bristow to have PDC Grand Slam trophy named in his honour following sudden death". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  5. "Grand Slam Of Darts Winners". Darts Database. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  6. ITV agree to cover Grand Slam Archived 2013-05-05 at archive.today This is London
  7. Weekly Top 10 Programmes Archived 2014-07-18 at the Wayback Machine Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
  8. ITV signs deal with PDC for three more years Archived 2008-10-22 at the Wayback Machine ITV
  9. Sky Sports Snap Up Grand Slam Archived 2011-01-28 at the Wayback Machine PDC
  10. "Sky Sports and PDC agree new five-year deal". Sky Sports . Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  11. "SINGHA Beer Sponsor Grand Slam". PDC. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.