2023 World Grand Prix: Preview, schedule, draw, prize money and where to watch
- Planet Sport writer
- 1 October 2023
Michael van Gerwen will begin his defence of the World Grand Prix title against Josh Rock in the first round, with the draw and schedule for the event confirmed.
Van Gerwen, who lifted his sixth World Grand Prix title in 2022, will open his challenge against World Youth Champion Rock – one of three debutants in this year’s 32-player field.
The draw for the unique double-start event, which will be played at Leicester's Morningside Arena from October 2-8, also pits 2020 champion Gerwyn Price against Dutch number two Danny Noppert.
World Champion Michael Smith begins his bid for a maiden World Grand Prix crown against a resurgent Callan Rydz, who won his third Players Championship title earlier this month.
Third seed Peter Wright will play German number one Gabriel Clemens in his opener, with World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall pitted against two-time World Grand Prix semi-finalist Stephen Bunting.
Sixth seed Luke Humphries will meet 2017 champion Daryl Gurney in another intriguing tie, while 2021 champion Jonny Clayton takes on European Champion Ross Smith for a place in round two.
The 2018 World Champion Rob Cross kicks off his campaign against UK Open winner Andrew Gilding, with Dimitri Van den Bergh and Masters champion Chris Dobey set to collide in a battle of Premier League stars.
Former finalists Dirk van Duijvenbode and Brendan Dolan also lock horns for a place in round two, as two-time champion James Wade faces a revitalised Krzysztof Ratajski in another tasty tie.
Two-time World Champion Gary Anderson – a World Grand Prix runner-up in 2016 – plays Portugal’s former Grand Slam winner Jose de Sousa, as the popular Scot eyes a return to winning ways on the big stage.
Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld - a finalist in 2008 and 2009 - makes his return to the double-start event following a five-year hiatus as he faces German star Martin Schindler in round one.
Elsewhere, Sunday’s Hungarian Darts Trophy winner Dave Chisnall takes on Luke Woodhouse, who sealed his qualification in last-gasp fashion with a run to the quarter-finals in Budapest.
Australian number one Damon Heta plays Ryan Searle, while Joe Cullen and Mike De Decker renew their rivalry in a repeat of their clash at the World Matchplay in July.
Where to watch the 2023 World Grand Prix
The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
What is the draw for the 2023 World Grand Prix
(1) Michael Smith v Callan Rydz
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Brendan Dolan
(8) Rob Cross v Andrew Gilding
Jose de Sousa v Gary Anderson
(4) Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Krzysztof Ratajski v James Wade
(5) Nathan Aspinall v Stephen Bunting
Martin Schindler v Raymond van Barneveld
(2) Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Chris Dobey
(7) Jonny Clayton v Ross Smith
Joe Cullen v Mike De Decker
(3) Peter Wright v Gabriel Clemens
Damon Heta v Ryan Searle
(6) Luke Humphries v Daryl Gurney
Dave Chisnall v Luke Woodhouse
What is the schedule for the 2023 World Grand Prix
Monday October 2 (1800 BST) - First Round x8
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Brendan Dolan
Jose de Sousa v Gary Anderson
Krzysztof Ratajski v James Wade
Martin Schindler v Raymond van Barneveld
Nathan Aspinall v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Michael Smith v Callan Rydz
Rob Cross v Andrew Gilding
Tuesday October 3 (1800 BST) - First Round x8
Joe Cullen v Mike De Decker
Dave Chisnall v Luke Woodhouse
Damon Heta v Ryan Searle
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Chris Dobey
Peter Wright v Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock
Jonny Clayton v Ross Smith
Luke Humphries v Daryl Gurney
Wednesday October 4 (1900 BST) - Second Round x4
M Smith/Rydz v Van Duijvenbode/Dolan
Cross/Gilding v De Sousa/Anderson
Price/Noppert v Ratajski/Wade
Aspinall/Bunting v Schindler/Van Barneveld
Thursday October 5 (1900 BST) - Second Round x4
Van Gerwen/Rock v Van den Bergh/Dobey
Clayton/R Smith v Cullen/De Decker
Wright/Clemens v Heta/Searle
Humphries/Gurney v Chisnall/Woodhouse
Friday October 6 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Saturday October 7 (2000 BST)
Semi-Finals
Sunday October 8 (2000 BST)
Final
What is the prize money for the 2023 World Grand Prix
Winner: £120,000
Runner-Up: £60,000
Semi-Finalists: £40,000
Quarter-Finalists: £25,000
Last 16: £15,000
Last 32: £7,500
Total: £600,000
