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5 hours ago
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Once upon a time, the Grand Slam of Darts was a tungsten War of the Roses - a glorious crossfire between two codes the PDC and the BDO. Fast forward to 2025 and while the Wolves Civic is long gone, Wolverhampton remains home. The only difference? It’s now an all-PDC affair, with the guest spots for those connected to its growing family tree. Its also the only PDC event with a quickfire group stage.
When the event first launched in Wolverhampton back in 2007, Phil Taylor did what Phil Taylor usually did in those days - turned up, dominated, and went home with the trophy. He’d go on to lift the first three - and six times in total because that’s what he generally did when the PDC launced a new event.
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While the events early home Wolves Civic is long gone, Wolverhampton remains home. The only difference?
Reigning World Champion Luke Littler heads to the Midlands not just as the sport’s biggest attraction but as the defending Grand Slam champion too, having stormed to the title on debut last year. Normally, that would be headline news. But this is Littler - and the shock factor has worn off. When the lad wins something these days, the surprise is if he doesn’t.
Every group is stacked, as it should be. The field is a who’s who of winners, nearly-winners, and globe-trotters who’ve conquered the Asian, North American, or secondary tours. A few grabbed their golden tickets via last week’s Wigan qualifiers, which means a few familiar faces - Rob Cross, Peter Wright, Ross Smith, Dimitri Van den Bergh, and former champ José De Sousa - will be watching from the sofa. Either that, or an Balearic island.
Still, the line-up is ridiculous. Let’s take a look at each group - and what awaits our tungsten heroes.
Group A: Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, Michael Smith, Alex Spellman
Spare a thought for American debutant Alex Spellman. His “welcome to the Grand Slam” card features two decorated world champions and a double major winner. This is less “Group of Death” and more “Group of Extinction.” On the bright side, it’s short format - and pressure-free. Spellman can throw without fear. Whether The Jackal bites or ‘hydes’ remains to be seen.
Group B: Chris Dobey, Damon Heta, Martin Lukeman, Jurjen van der Velde
Hollywood won’t mind this draw at all. It’s competitive, but not terrifying. Heta’s a beast on the floor but yet to set the stage alight; Lukeman and van der Velde are dangerous but beatable. Dobey will quietly fancy his chances of cruising through without setting off too many alarms.
Group C: Stephen Bunting, Martin Schindler, Luke Woodhouse, Alexis Toylo
Former Lakeside king Bunting will be confident of progressing - and he won’t be alone. Schindler has been solid all season, while Woodhouse will enjoy what’s very loosely a home event. Toylo is the wildcard - talented, fearless, and completely unbothered by reputations. Still, you’d expect the top two seeds to survive.
Group D: James Wade, Gerwyn Price, Ricky Evans, Stefan Bellmont
Ah, the pub quiz group. Both Wade and Price who are good buddies and Pro Tour table mates have history here. Gezzy famously won his first TV title at this very event back in 2018, becoming Wales’ first PDC major champion. Wade, on the other hand, blew a monster lead in the final years earlier and still probably wakes up sweating about it. Ricky Evans will bring chaos (and speed), while Bellmont will quietly fancy nicking a scalp.
Group E: Luke Littler, Daryl Gurney, Connor Scutt, Karel Sedláček
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The champ faces a Sniper, a Superchin, and an Evil Charlie - it sounds like a rejected Quentin Tarantino script. Littler’s expected to march through, but Gurney’s no pushover and the shorter format means one off day could turn this group on its head. The Nuke will be aiming to make it all look easy - as usual.
Group F: Gian van Veen, Josh Rock, Wessel Nijman, Lisa Ashton
Three young guns and a legend - this group could produce fireworks. Ashton’s experience might not be enough to stop the Dutch and Northern Irish juggernauts here. Rock and Van Veen both look destined for Premier League stardom, and Nijman’s not far behind. It’s youth versus experience - but don’t blink, or you’ll miss it.
Group G: Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Niko Springer, Beau Greaves
Oh, this is the group. MVG. Anderson. Five PDC world titles between them - and then they threw Beau Greaves into the mix (who has three of her own), just for chaos. Van Gerwen vs. Greaves is already the match everyone wants to see. Add Springer - a dark horse with serious firepower - and you’ve got the group that will own the headlines all weekend.
Group H: Jonny Clayton, Danny Noppert, Lukas Wenig, Cam Crabtree
This one sits somewhere in the middle on the difficulty scale. Clayton and Noppie are favourites, both classy and consistent. Wenig is talented but untested at this level, while Crabtree - still just 22 - has quietly built a reputation as one of the game’s next big things. If anyone’s going to spring a surprise, it might just be him.
As always, the short race to five in the group stage makes things unpredictable. Blink, and your tournament could be over before your walk-on song’s finished. Expect chaos, drama, and at least one group decided on leg difference - there always is.
The Grand Slam begins this week. Eight groups, 32 players, countless storylines - and one shiny Eric Bristow Trophy waiting for the last man (or woman) standing. Buckle up, Wolverhampton. It’s going to be a belter.
For the full stories and more in depth coverage of everything darts, together with the latest issues of their legendary publications, head on over to dartsworld.com
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