Saturday semi-finals · 2 October
Two long matches make this our big-night choice. The previous start was 20:00, so organise a room or a reliable late return.
World Grand Prix 2027: your Leicester darts trip
Leicester hosts the next Grand Prix on 27 September–3 October 2027.
Get to know the double-start sets, compare the completed 2026 guide and watch for the new ticket announcement before booking your night.
At a glance
Calendar dates27 September–3 October 2027
CityLeicester · PDC confirmed
Venue guideMattioli Arena · 2026 venue
FormatDouble in, double out · sets
Prices2026 guide · £31–£46 before fees
Checked 6 October 2026. The calendar confirms Leicester; the 2027 building and ticket details remain unannounced.
Dates and session times
PDC confirms the Grand Prix returns to Leicester, 27 September–3 October 2027. The calendar names the city.
Mattioli Arena hosted the completed 2026 edition, but a separate 2027 building and ticket announcement wasn't found.
2026 published times, as a guide · 2026 prices, as a guide · checked 6 October 2026: the chart below maps last year's seven evenings to the next calendar week.
It isn't a confirmed 2027 programme; booking fees are extra.
| 2027 calendar day | 2026 published times, as a guide · BST | 2026 round guide | 2026 table face value | 2026 tiered face value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 27 Sep 2027 | 18:00–23:00 | First round · eight matches | £36 | £31 |
| Tue 28 Sep 2027 | 18:00–23:00 | First round · eight matches | £36 | £31 |
| Wed 29 Sep 2027 | 19:00–23:00 | Second round · four matches | £36 | £31 |
| Thu 30 Sep 2027 | 19:00–23:00 | Second round · four matches | £46 | £41 |
| Fri 1 Oct 2027 | 19:00–23:00 | Quarter-finals · four matches | £46 | £41 |
| Sat 2 Oct 2027 | 20:00–23:00 | Two semi-finals | £46 | £41 |
| Sun 3 Oct 2027 | 20:00–22:00 | Final | £41 | £36 |
The latest edition ran 28 September–4 October 2026 and has finished. Luke Humphries beat Gerwyn Price 6–4 in sets after trailing 0–3.
Don't try to buy a remaining 2026 session for the next trip.
Sources and checked date
Source: Confirmed 2027 city and dates · Previous standard face values · Official published time chart · Previous session programme · Completed 2026 final ·
checked 6 October 2026.
Tickets and how they sell
The 2027 building, sale dates, prices, fees and ticket availability aren't confirmed here; wait for the PDC ticket announcement.
Watch the PDC official ticket announcements before paying for a non-refundable stay. Register for the new pre-sale when its instructions appear.
In the 2026 guide, sales opened at noon BST: annual PDCTV on 11 May, registered pre-sale on 12 May and general on 13 May.
Annual membership had to be active before 23:59 BST on 1 May; pre-sale registration closed at 23:59 BST on 8 May.
The PDC reported Friday and Saturday sold out during that pre-sale. That's a good reason to register early if those are your choices.
Those are past windows and demand, not tickets available now. Our ticket and resale guide explains how to follow the official seller and avoid social-media offers.
Sources and checked date
Source: Historical 2026 sale windows · Previous pre-sale demand · Next official seller route · checked 6 October 2026.
Session-by-session: what to expect
Double in, then double out
At the Grand Prix, you must hit a double before your score starts falling. Miss with all three darts and you stay on 501.
Once you open, scoring works normally; the opening double counts too. You also need a double to finish the leg.
That gives the opening throw extra weight. A player can be scoring freely while the opponent is still trying to get started.
It makes a short match uncomfortable even for a favourite, which is why the first-round evenings are our pick for sudden drama.
Monday and Tuesday: short opening games
The 2026 field had 32 players: the top 16 in the world rankings plus 16 from the twelve-month ProTour list, excluding those already qualified.
Eight matches each night were best of three sets. Each set is best of five legs.
Wednesday to Friday: longer, but still sharp
The previous second round used four matches on each of Wednesday and Thursday. Both that round and Friday's four quarter-finals were best of five sets.
Winning a set resets the contest; losing a run of legs doesn't carry an extra score into the next one.
Weekend: the longest matches
In 2026, two semi-finals were best of nine sets and the final best of eleven. Both evenings began at 20:00.
Use darts tournaments explained to compare this with ordinary double-out events and short-set Masters matches.
Sources and checked date
Source: 2026 field and lengths · Double-start and five-leg sets · Previous round split · checked 6 October 2026.
How to pick a session
Monday or Tuesday · 27/28 September
Eight short opening ties, with guide prices from £31 tiered or £36 at a table. Repeated walk-ons give a first visit plenty to follow.
Monday or Tuesday · earlier start
The 2026 opening nights began at 18:00. Check next-edition child admission before choosing them; the previous pack required an accompanying adult.
Friday quarters · 1 October
Four longer contests at the previous 19:00 start make a good group focus. It sold out in the last pre-sale, so agree the budget before the next window.
All dates above sit within the confirmed 2027 week; programmes and prices are the 2026 guide. The session guide helps you compare them with the other events.
Sources and checked date
Source: Guide start and cost choices · Friday demand · Previous children rule · checked 6 October 2026.
What will the trip cost?
Enter your current ticket quote or choose a labelled 2026 guide. Include travel to Leicester and any local ride.
Shared hotel rooms, parking and fees are added once, so a group doesn't pay for each other's room twice.
Your darts night
Sources and checked date
Source: Six guide presets · Actual ticket quote · checked 6 October 2026.
On the day
The 2026 pack opened the Fan Zone 90 minutes before darts and the main arena 60 minutes before.
Bring your ticket, keep the A4 bag ready for checking and use a card or mobile payment. Free tap water is available at refreshment outlets.
| 2026 day guide | Fan Zone | Main arena | Published session · BST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday/Tuesday | 16:30 | 17:00 | 18:00–23:00 |
| Wednesday–Friday | 17:30 | 18:00 | 19:00–23:00 |
| Saturday | 18:30 | 19:00 | 20:00–23:00 |
| Sunday final | 18:30 | 19:00 | 20:00–22:00 |
The PDC chart publishes a 23:00 end Monday to Saturday and 22:00 for the final: 2026 published times, as a guide.
Leave extra time to exit and reach your onward connection. Build the return around the actual ticket instructions and venue help contacts.
Sources and checked date
Source: 2026 doors offset and starts · PDC published session ranges · Cashless and water policy · checked 6 October 2026.
Families and groups
The 2026 pack required under-18s to come with an adult, and every child needed a ticket. It didn't give a numeric supervision ratio.
The family guide helps you ask the organiser about your exact party.
The 2027 age rules, supervision ratio and buying limit aren't confirmed here; ask the official seller before planning your group.
The PDC's previous price and sale announcements don't print a group maximum, so don't borrow six or ten tickets from another event.
For a stag or hen party, settle the seat type, who pays and the return before booking.
Our group planning guide helps you collect contributions without one person funding everyone else's trip.
Sources and checked date
Source: Previous family admission · Published category chart · Sale rules checked · checked 6 October 2026.
Fancy dress and rules for this event
Allowed
- One A4 bag; tell staff about a medical bag.
- A fancy-dress outfit that stays comfortable in the seat.
- A mask only once inside, under the 2026 guide.
- Your ticket and card for entry and purchases.
Not allowed
- Outside food/drinks, bottles and cans.
- Football colours, flags, poles and inflatable accessories in the previous darts pack.
- Real darts, imitation weapons, umbrellas and offensive or politically sensitive costumes.
- Exiting with an expectation of readmission: the venue says no re-entry.
2026 event rules, as a guide. Check the 2027 pack when issued, and follow staff directions at the door.
Keep the costume practical for the station walk. Our fancy-dress advice helps with sitting, coats and awkward accessories.
Sources and checked date
Source: 2026 costume and item rules · Medical bag exception · Venue return policy · checked 6 October 2026.
Getting there and home
The venue's general directions allow a 25-minute station walk, with buses and taxis as alternatives. There was no arena parking at the 2026 event.
The Leicester travel guide covers Memory Lane, Highcross prices and the late return.
Sources and checked date
Source: Station walk · Previous event parking · checked 6 October 2026.
Check the full autumn return journey
Allow the arena exit and walk before the platform. Compare Leicester trains
Where to stay and when to book
Choose between the station, Cultural Quarter and Highcross bases once the new event venue and tickets are confirmed.
The hotel-area guide names Budget, Mid-range and Premium choices. A cancellable room keeps options open while the next announcement is pending.
Sources and checked date
Source: Station hotel · Highcross hotel · checked 6 October 2026.
Compare Leicester rooms for the calendar dates
Check cancellation terms before a non-refundable booking. Check Leicester hotel availability on Booking.com
FAQs
What are the confirmed World Grand Prix 2027 dates?
The PDC calendar confirms Leicester from 27 September to 3 October 2027. It names the city rather than a building.
Has the 2026 World Grand Prix finished?
Yes: it ran 28 September–4 October 2026. Humphries won the final against Price 6–4 after falling 0–3 behind.
What does double-in mean at the Grand Prix?
A player must hit a double before their darts count towards reducing 501. The opening double counts; the leg also has to finish on a double.
How many legs are in a World Grand Prix set?
Each set is best of five legs, so three win it. The 2026 first round was best of three sets; the final best of eleven.
What were the cheapest standard 2026 Grand Prix tickets?
Tiered seats were £31 and tables £36 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, before booking fees. These are 2026 prices as a guide.
Did 2026 Grand Prix Friday and Saturday tickets sell out in pre-sale?
Yes: the PDC reported both nights sold out before general sale opened on 13 May. Register for the next official window if either is your preferred session.
Did the 2026 Grand Prix have afternoon sessions?
No: the checked programme had seven evenings. Monday/Tuesday began at 18:00, Wednesday–Friday 19:00 and the weekend 20:00.
The completed 2026 programme is labelled as a guide. How we check our facts.
Package or do it yourself?
| Decision | A package offered by an official seller | Ticket and hotel booked separately |
|---|---|---|
| What is included | Read the named seller’s exact seat, food and accommodation inclusions | The ticket and room each have their own booking terms |
| Seat choice | Only the package inventory offered | Choose from the official general-admission plan |
| Flexibility | Changes depend on the package contract | Ticket and hotel cancellation rules can differ |
| Cost | Compare the full quoted total, including fees | Add ticket fees, room, travel and meals yourself |
No current official world grand prix package inclusion list was verified in this check.
Prize fund for 2027
The PDC hasn’t announced the 2027 prize fund in the sources checked on 8 November 2026. PDC prize-fund source (checked 8 November 2026).
| Prize information | GBP |
|---|---|
| Confirmed total | Not announced in checked PDC sources |
Sources and checked date
PDC prize-fund breakdown — checked 8 November 2026. The current table does not announce this2027 edition;2026 amounts are not carried forward.