The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 runs from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 November at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton. This is the tournament’s 20th staging, and the field expands to 48 players for the first time. Because demand has hit record levels, the PDC allocated 2026 tickets through a ballot rather than a straightforward general sale.
The venue, also known as Aldersley Leisure Village, sits on the north-western edge of Wolverhampton rather than in the city centre. That affects how you get there and, more importantly, how you get home after a late evening session. This guide covers the session schedule, tickets and the venue. It also sets out the practical options for reaching Aldersley from Birmingham, Wolverhampton and further afield.
Grand Slam of Darts 2026 at a glance
| What you need to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 November 2026 |
| Venue | WV Active Aldersley (Aldersley Leisure Village), Wolverhampton |
| Field | 48 players, expanded for the first time |
| Tickets | Allocated through a PDC ballot for 2026 |
| Sessions | Afternoon and evening sessions at weekends; evening sessions on weekdays |
| Final | Sunday 22 November, evening session |
Grand Slam of Darts 2026 session schedule
| Date | Session | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 14 November | 1pm and 7pm | Group stage, opening matches |
| Sunday 15 November | 1pm and 7.30pm | Group stage |
| Monday 16 November | 7pm | Group stage |
| Tuesday 17 November | 7pm | Group stage, final group deciders |
| Wednesday 18 November | 7pm | Second round |
| Thursday 19 November | 7pm | Second round |
| Friday 20 November | 7pm | Quarter-finals |
| Saturday 21 November | 7pm | Quarter-finals |
| Sunday 22 November | 12pm and 7pm | Semi-finals, then the final |
Session start times come from the official ticketing listings. Check your ticket for the door opening time, and allow for queues at the entrance.
Which session should you choose?
Group stage sessions
The group stage runs from Saturday 14 to Tuesday 17 November. With 48 players in this year’s field, these sessions pack in plenty of matches. You’ll get to see a wide range of players, including qualifiers who don’t often appear on the big stage. The weekend afternoon sessions also suit anyone who would rather not travel home late.
Knockout rounds
From Wednesday 18 November, the tournament moves into the knockout stages. The second round and quarter-finals feature fewer, longer matches, and the stakes rise every night. Friday and Saturday evening sessions usually have the best atmosphere, but they’re also the busiest nights for travel.
Finals day
Sunday 22 November has two sessions: the semi-finals at midday and the final in the evening. If you’re going to both, you’ll be at or near the venue for most of the day. Plan your food, breaks and journey home with that in mind.
Accessibility at the venue
If anyone in your group needs accessible seating or other support, contact the ticket provider or the venue before your visit. Accessible places can be limited for popular sessions. Being dropped off close to the entrance can also make a real difference for anyone who finds walking difficult.
Tickets for the Grand Slam of Darts 2026
How the ballot worked
After record demand for recent tournaments, the PDC introduced a ballot for 2026. Fans applied during a set application period, and successful applicants were chosen at random once the ballot closed. Recent editions had sold out quickly, with demand outstripping the seats available across the nine days.
If you missed the ballot
If you didn’t get tickets through the ballot, keep an eye on the PDC’s official ticketing channels for any returned or remaining tickets. The PDC’s approved partners also sell official ticket and hotel packages. Prices vary by session, and the semi-finals and final are usually the most expensive.
Avoid unofficial resellers
For a tournament this popular, unofficial resale listings appear quickly. Buying from an unofficial seller risks paying well above face value or ending up with a ticket that isn’t valid. Use the PDC’s official channels and approved partners only.
About the venue: WV Active Aldersley
Where it is
WV Active Aldersley, also known as Aldersley Leisure Village, is a sports and leisure complex on the north-west side of Wolverhampton, a few miles from the city centre. It has hosted the Grand Slam for most years since the tournament moved away from the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
What that means for travel
Because the venue isn’t in the city centre, you can’t simply walk from Wolverhampton station as you would for a city-centre arena. Most visitors arrive by car, taxi or bus. The roads around the venue get busy before evening sessions, and again when crowds leave at the end of the night.
Getting to the Grand Slam of Darts from Birmingham
By road
From Birmingham, the usual route is the M6 north towards Wolverhampton, then local roads to the north-west side of the city. Alternatively, you can head through the Black Country on main roads. In normal traffic, the journey usually takes around 35 to 50 minutes, depending on where you start.
Weekday evening sessions start at 7pm, when the tail end of the rush hour can still slow traffic on the M6 and around Wolverhampton. Allow extra time, especially on Fridays.
By train and bus or taxi
Trains run regularly from Birmingham New Street to Wolverhampton. From Wolverhampton station, you’ll need a bus or taxi to reach Aldersley, as it’s too far to walk comfortably, especially late at night. Check the time of the last train back to Birmingham before you travel, because evening sessions can run late.
Parking at the venue
Parking at a leisure complex hosting a major televised event is limited, and the spaces closest to the entrance fill early. Check the event information for any parking arrangements before you set off, and allow time to park and walk to the venue.
Getting home after an evening session
Late finishes
Evening sessions at the Grand Slam can run late, especially on nights with several matches or close games that go the distance. Plan your journey home before you arrive, rather than once the last match has finished.
Taxis at the end of the night
When a session ends, hundreds of people leave at once, and many of them want a taxi. Waiting for a ride-hailing car can take a while on busy nights, especially at a venue outside the city centre. A pre-booked car with an agreed pickup point avoids that queue.
Agreeing a pickup point
Before the session starts, choose a specific meeting point with your driver, such as a particular entrance or a spot near the car park exit. Keep your phone charged and switched on, and let your driver know if the session runs late.
Travelling by chauffeur to the Grand Slam of Darts
Why groups choose it
Darts nights are often group outings, with friends, colleagues, or a stag or birthday party travelling together. With a pre-booked chauffeur, nobody has to drive and everyone travels together in both directions. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class seats up to seven passengers.
Multi-session days
On the opening weekend and on finals day, there are afternoon and evening sessions on the same day. If you’re attending both, or planning food and drinks in between, hourly or full-day chauffeur hire keeps the car available throughout.
Pickups across the West Midlands
We provide a chauffeur service in Wolverhampton, with pickups across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Our event chauffeur service explains how event bookings work. If you’d like a quote for a Grand Slam session, you can get a price online.
Corporate hospitality and client entertaining
Some businesses use the Grand Slam to entertain clients or reward staff, often through official hospitality packages. If you’re organising transport for several guests, a corporate chauffeur account gives you a dedicated account manager, fixed rates and multiple authorised bookers. It also includes consolidated monthly VAT invoicing with journey-level detail. Our hospitality and events service covers group bookings for events like this.
Coming from further afield
Flying into Birmingham
The Grand Slam draws fans from across the UK, Ireland and Europe. If you’re flying into Birmingham Airport, our Birmingham Airport transfers include flight monitoring and meet-and-greet, and can take you straight to your hotel.
Where to stay
Hotels in Wolverhampton city centre are the closest to the venue, but they book up quickly during the tournament. Many visitors stay in Birmingham instead and travel in for each session. Our guide to where to stay in Birmingham covers areas and hotels across the city.
Tips for a Grand Slam session
Before you go
- Check the session time and door opening time on your ticket.
- Bring photo ID if your ticket conditions require it.
- Check the venue’s bag policy before you travel.
- Plan how you’ll get home before the session starts.
Fancy dress and atmosphere
Fancy dress is part of the culture at many PDC events, and the Grand Slam is no exception. If your group plans to dress up, check the event’s conditions of entry for any restrictions, especially on masks or props.
November weather
The Grand Slam takes place in mid to late November, when the evenings are dark and often cold or wet. Wear warm layers for queuing outside, and allow extra time on the roads if the weather is poor.
More darts and sport in the West Midlands
The West Midlands has a busy sporting calendar in November. If you’re also planning to see Wolves, our Molineux match-day guide covers parking and drop-off in Wolverhampton. For darts fans, our earlier Premier League Darts guide covers another of the PDC’s big events.
Book your Grand Slam of Darts transport
National Executive Transfers provides fixed-price chauffeur transfers to and from WV Active Aldersley from Birmingham, Wolverhampton and across the West Midlands, in Mercedes-Benz E-Class, S-Class and V-Class vehicles. Tell us your session, your group size and your preferred pickup point, and we’ll plan the journey around the start time and the end of the night. Get a quote and book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Grand Slam of Darts 2026 runs from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 November 2026, with the final on the evening of Sunday 22 November.
It's held at WV Active Aldersley, also known as Aldersley Leisure Village, on the north-west side of Wolverhampton.
For 2026, the PDC allocated tickets through a ballot. If you missed it, check the PDC's official ticketing channels and approved partners for any remaining or returned tickets.
Weekend sessions start at 1pm and 7pm, apart from Sunday 15 November's evening session at 7.30pm. Weekday sessions start at 7pm. On finals day, the semi-finals start at midday and the final at 7pm.
Most visitors drive or take a taxi via the M6, which usually takes 35 to 50 minutes. By train, travel to Wolverhampton, then take a bus or taxi to the venue.
Parking at the venue is limited for an event this size. Check the event information before you travel, or arrange to be dropped off and collected instead.
