Dave Chisnall is back with kwiff to reflect on a disappointing World Grand Prix, Luke Humphries’ title triumph and his late call-up for the Swiss Darts Trophy following Luke Littler’s withdrawal.
World Grand Prix 2026 fallout
The tournament itself I thought worked really well this past week, with four of the best players in the game getting to the semi-finals and a worthy champion in Luke Humphries.
Luke beat me in the first round, when I played really poorly in all honesty. He likewise was under par but still got the job done.
There were too many sloppy darts in that game, and I paid the price. Cool Hand is a fantastic player, and it will have meant a lot for him to have won his second World Grand Prix title, just three years after really announcing himself on the world stage – winning this, the Grand Slam and then the World Championship in 2023.
He’s had to play second fiddle to the other Luke all year, and that shouldn’t take anything away from either player, with both Lukes – Humphries and Littler – brilliant darts players.
A word should go out to Gezzy too, who was a whisker away from going 4-0 up – had Luke not taken out double 16 with one dart in hand – and played great in a proper final.
He’s had a great season, just doesn’t have the silverware to show for it. But that’s darts sometimes. He’ll be back.
I didn’t show my best up there and struggled in the heat on stage in Leicester. You forget how warm it gets up there and, admittedly, I didn’t do myself justice under the bright lights.
Swiss Darts Trophy up next
Switzerland is next on the calendar, with another set of flights booked for the Swiss Darts Trophy.
I was lucky to get a place in the end, with the greatest darts player of all time taking the weekend off, so I better make it pay.
I’m still chomping at the bit to bring some silverware back home to Morecambe, so fingers crossed I can create some space in Rog’s suitcase to bring something other than a Toblerone home for once!
Which players are competing at the 2026 Swiss Darts Trophy?
| Seeded players | ProTour qualifiers | Other qualifiers |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Humphries (1) | Luke Woodhouse | Bradley Brooks |
| Gian van Veen (2) | Kevin Doets | Mensur Suljović |
| Jonny Clayton (3) | Krzysztof Ratajski | Tom Bissell |
| James Wade (4) | Andrew Gilding | Jeffrey de Graaf |
| Michael van Gerwen (5) | Rob Cross | Michael Smith |
| Josh Rock (6) | William O’Connor | Mario Vandenbogaerde |
| Gerwyn Price (7) | Niko Springer | Raymond van Barneveld |
| Stephen Bunting (8) | Niels Zonneveld | Sietse Lap |
| Danny Noppert (9) | Ryan Joyce | Maik Kuivenhoven |
| Ryan Searle (10) | Dirk van Duijvenbode | Cristo Reyes |
| Gary Anderson (11) | Joe Cullen | Jani Haavisto |
| Chris Dobey (12) | Cameron Menzies | György Jehirszki |
| Wessel Nijman (13) | Damon Heta | Host Nation qualifier – TBC |
| Nathan Aspinall (14) | Martin Schindler | Host Nation qualifier – TBC |
| Ross Smith (15) | Sebastian Białecki | Host Nation qualifier – TBC |
| Jermaine Wattimena (16) | Dave Chisnall | Host Nation qualifier – TBC |
Everything you need to know about the 2026 Swiss Darts Trophy
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