What Is 2014 Grand Slam of Darts

Overview

The 2014 Grand Slam of Darts was the eighth edition of the annual darts tournament organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). It brought together top players from both the PDC and the British Darts Organisation (BDO), creating a unique cross-organization competition format that emphasized inclusivity and high-level play.

Hosted at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall from November 8 to 16, 2014, the event featured a round-robin group stage followed by knockout rounds. The tournament structure allowed for dramatic comebacks and consistent performances, culminating in a final between Phil Taylor and Dave Chisnall.

• 32 players competed, including top PDC performers and BDO champions, ensuring a diverse and competitive field.
• The format included eight groups of four players, with the top two from each group advancing to the last 16.
• Phil Taylor claimed his sixth Grand Slam title, extending his record as the most successful player in the event’s history.
• Raymond van Barneveld achieved a nine-dart finish during a group match against Dave Chisnall, one of the highlights of the tournament.
• The total prize fund was £400,000, with the winner receiving £100,000, making it one of the richest events outside the World Championship.

How It Works

The Grand Slam of Darts uses a hybrid qualification and format system that blends players from different darts organizations into a single competitive structure, designed to showcase top talent regardless of affiliation.

• Qualification Paths: Players earned spots via PDC rankings, BDO rankings, and televised event wins, ensuring broad representation across the darts world.
• Group Stage Format: The 32 competitors were divided into eight groups, each playing best-of-nine-leg matches in a round-robin style.
• Knockout Progression: The top two players from each group advanced to a last-16 single-elimination bracket, seeded based on group performance.
• Match Structure: Early rounds were best-of-19 legs, increasing to best-of-31 in the final, testing both consistency and endurance.
• Scoring System: Legs were won by first to a specific number of legs, with double-in, double-out rules applied throughout the tournament.
• Neutral Representation: Players represented regions or titles rather than organizations, promoting unity and reducing PDC-BDO rivalry tensions.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 Grand Slam of Darts compared to previous editions and similar events:

The 2014 Grand Slam maintained consistency in prize money and format compared to prior years, but stood out due to Raymond van Barneveld’s nine-dart finish and the high level of competition in the group stages. Unlike the PDC World Championship, the Grand Slam uniquely blends players from multiple organizations, giving BDO and regional champions a rare platform to compete at elite levels.

Why It Matters

The 2014 Grand Slam of Darts was significant not only for its competitive outcomes but also for its role in bridging divides between darts organizations and elevating the sport’s profile in the UK and beyond.

• Phil Taylor’s victory reinforced his legacy as the dominant force in modern darts, winning his sixth Grand Slam title.
• The inclusion of BDO players helped promote unity in the sport, reducing the historical divide between PDC and BDO circuits.
• A nine-dart finish by van Barneveld added historic excitement and increased media coverage during the group stage.
• The event’s consistent £400,000 prize fund made it one of the most lucrative non-World Championship tournaments.
• Widespread BBC broadcasting brought darts to mainstream audiences, boosting viewership and sponsorship interest.
• The Grand Slam format has since inspired similar hybrid events, proving its influence on tournament design.

The 2014 edition remains a benchmark for competitive balance, entertainment value, and organizational innovation in professional darts, cementing its place in the sport’s modern era.