Bunting Stephen vs Gilding Andrew preview
Stephen Bunting faces Andrew Gilding in the first round of the 2026 World Grand Prix on September 29 at 20:45 UTC. This tournament, held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, is unique among PDC major events for its double-in, double-out format, which requires players to hit a double to both start and end every leg.
The field for this 29th staging of the event consists of 32 players, featuring the top 16 from the world rankings and the 16 highest-ranked unseeded players from the Pro Tour. Because the 16 seeded players are granted protected status, they are drawn against the Pro Tour qualifiers in the opening round. This match is part of the second day of first-round action, following the initial eight matches held on the tournament's opening night. The event, which runs until October 4, presents a significant challenge as even the highest-ranked players often struggle to adapt to the specific demands of the double-start requirement.