What Is 2019 Grand Slam of Darts

Overview

The 2019 Grand Slam of Darts was the 13th edition of this prestigious darts tournament, organized jointly by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and British Darts Organisation (BDO). It brought together top performers from both organizations, offering a unique cross-code competition format not seen in other major darts events.

Hosted at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton, the tournament ran from November 9 to November 17, 2019, attracting a global audience. As a non-ranking event, it emphasized prestige and prize money over ranking points, with a total prize fund of £500,000, including £100,000 for the winner.

• Glen Durrant claimed his first Grand Slam title, winning 16–13 against James Wade in the final, marking a breakthrough in his PDC career.
• The tournament featured 48 players, split into 16 groups of three, with only group winners advancing to the knockout stage.
• Michael van Gerwen entered as defending champion but was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Durrant.
• For the first time, the event was held at Aldersley Leisure Village after moving from its previous venue, the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
• The format allowed both PDC and BDO representatives to compete, including 16 BDO qualifiers based on rankings and major wins.

How It Works

The Grand Slam of Darts uses a hybrid qualification and group-stage format unique in professional darts, blending players from different organizations into a single competitive structure.

• Qualification: Players earned spots via PDC Pro Tour rankings, World Championship results, and BDO major titles or rankings. This ensured broad representation across the darts landscape.
• Group Stage: The 48 players were divided into 16 groups of three, playing best-of-nine legs matches. Only the group winner advanced, increasing early-round pressure.
• Knockout Format: From the last 16 onward, matches followed a legs-based scoring system, with sets introduced in later rounds, culminating in a best-of-31 legs final.
• Venue Rotation: Since 2007, the event has been held in Wolverhampton, but the 2019 edition marked a move to the Aldersley Leisure Village from the Civic Hall.
• Prize Structure: The winner received £100,000, with decreasing amounts down to the last 16, incentivizing deep runs despite the non-ranking status.
• Television Coverage: The entire tournament was broadcast live on ITV in the UK, contributing to its growing mainstream visibility and fan engagement.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019 Grand Slam with previous editions and other major darts events:

This comparison highlights the Grand Slam’s unique role as a unifying event between darts organizations. Unlike the World Championships, which are organization-specific, the Grand Slam fosters direct competition between PDC and BDO players, enhancing its appeal and narrative depth.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Grand Slam of Darts was a pivotal moment in darts history, signaling the rise of new talent and the continued blending of competitive structures across darts bodies.

• Glen Durrant’s victory marked the first major PDC title for the three-time BDO World Champion, validating his transition to the PDC circuit.
• The event showcased cross-organizational parity, proving players from different systems could compete at the highest level.
• Its prime ITV broadcast slot helped expand darts’ audience beyond traditional fans, especially during the November sports calendar.
• The tournament’s non-ranking status allowed for more relaxed competition, encouraging aggressive play and entertainment value.
• It served as a bridge before the PDC World Championship, giving players high-pressure match practice ahead of the year’s biggest event.
• The success of the 2019 edition reinforced the Grand Slam as a fixture in the darts calendar, despite the later dissolution of the BDO in 2020.

The 2019 Grand Slam of Darts not only delivered thrilling matches but also symbolized a transitional era in professional darts, blending legacy and evolution in one competitive stage.