Grand Slam of Darts field takes shape as Schindler and Coates qualify

[Cougar]

The line up for this year's Grand Slam of Darts is coming together. DartsNews reports that Martin Schindler and Henry Coates have joined the field for the tournament, which is led by Luke Littler and Luke Humphries

The Grand Slam runs from 14 to 22 November at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton. The field has been expanded to 48 players this year, with a £1 million prize fund and the Eric Bristow Trophy on offer

Schindler qualifies for the seventh time thanks to his run to the European Championship final. Henry Coates, the lowest ranked ProTour winner of 2026 after his Players Championship win in July, makes his debut because Ross Smith's run to the European title opened up a place

Already confirmed are holder Littler, Humphries, Ross Smith, James Wade, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall, Josh Rock, Luke Woodhouse, Krzysztof Ratajski, Jonny Clayton, Chris Dobey, Cameron Menzies, Ryan Searle and Rob Cross, along with qualifiers such as Beau Greaves, Lisa Ashton and others. Charlie Manby has since added his name by winning Players Championship 31. Places for the ANZ Premier League and Nordic and Baltic winners are still to be decided, along with four more Players Championships, before the rest come through a Tour Card qualifier

The expanded field should make the group stage more unpredictable, with more lower ranked players getting a chance on television. Schindler's form in Dortmund makes him a dangerous outsider. Littler will start as favourite to defend his title

Who will win the Grand Slam this year? And is expanding to 48 players a good idea?

Grand Slam of Darts Race Update: Who is qualified as Martin Schindler and Henry Coates join field led by Luke Littler and Luke Humphriesdartsnews.com

[Transformer Elk]

Four more Players Championships to go means the last places are still open. Lots of players will be fighting for them. Pressure events