PDC World Grand Prix 2014 live on Sky Sports

After a summer break from the televised stage, the world’s leading darts players are back in action on the box as they head to Ireland for the 2014 PartyPoker World Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports.

In total, 32 stars of the sport will converge on Dublin’s Citywest Hotel for seven days of darting drama and excitement in the tournament, now in its 17th year, famed for its unique format where players need to both start and finish every leg on a double.

Reigning champion Phil Taylor will yet again be the man to beat as he bids to win the tournament for a 12th time, but ‘The Power’ will face stiff competition from the likes of two-time World Grand Prix champion James Wade, world number one and reigning world champion Michael van Gerwen and two-time world champion Adrian Lewis.

Last year’s World Grand Prix had seen the legendary Taylor continue his dominance of the double-start format by claiming an 11th title as he swept aside Dave Chisnall in the final in straight sets with a 6-0 whitewash.

Taylor’s bid to complete a dozen titles in the event will begin on the £400,000 event’s opening night on Monday October 6, as he faces former BDO world champion Steve Beaton in their first round clash.

Chisnall, who was making his first appearance in a major final, failed to win a single game in the opening five sets and the Englishman, who switched to the PDC in 2011, had just one opportunity to hit a game-winning shot during that period.

He restored some pride in the sixth set, but could not prevent Taylor from sealing a whitewash triumph, maintaining The Power’s astonishingly flawless record in Grand Prix finals.

A host of heavyweight contenders should be stepping up to the oche, among those is Michael Van Gerwen who moved above Taylor to the top of the world rankings after winning the World Championship at the start of the year.

The World Grand Prix marks the start of three months of non-stop PDC darts on the box, culminating with the World Championships in December and January.

Sky Sports will screen the 2014 PartyPoker World Grand Prix exclusively live from the CityWest Hotel in Dublin from October 6-12, as the channel serves up another seven days of unmissable darting action.

Dave Clark will introduce the action from Dublin every night on Sky Sports HD alongside former two-time World Matchplay winner Rod Harrington, five-times world champion Eric Bristow and former world semi-finalist Wayne Mardle.

Three-time world champion and former two-time World Grand Prix finalist John Part will also be part of the Sky Sports team, while Rod Studd, Stuart Pyke and Nigel Pearson call the action from the commentary box.

All of Sky Sports’ live coverage will be available to watch for subscribers via Sky Go on PCs, mobiles, laptops and tablet devices.

The Sky Sports darts website will feature all the latest news, interviews and features from Dublin throughout the week, plus opinion from Sky experts and video highlights.

Fans can also interact with the on-air team via Twitter during the event – @SkySportsDarts.

As the nights begin to draw in, the temperatures drop and the leaves turn brown, it can only mean the return of big time darts to Sky Sports this winter and there is plenty more top action to enjoy between now and January.

The World Grand Prix will be followed in November by the Grand Slam of Darts, where Phil Taylor will also be defending his title in the 32-man tournament at Wolverhampton, which sees the top players from the PDC and BDO/WDF circuits compete in eight groups before progressing to the knockout stages.

November’s Grand Slam is followed by the blue-riband event – the PDC World Championships – live from Alexandra Palace over the festive period, all exclusively on Sky Sports.

For more information about the Professional Darts Corporation, visit PDC.tv.

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