Daryl Gurney looks to defend the Unibet World Grand Prix title and opens his campaign against John Henderson on the opening night of the £400,000 tournament.

The £400,000 tournament will begin with a clash between World Matchplay semi-finalist Jeffrey de Zwaan and Kim Huybrechts, with reigning champion Gurney beginning the defence of his title against Henderson later on the opening night.

Scottish ace Henderson knocked out world number one Michael van Gerwen to begin his run to the semi-finals in Dublin last year, where he eventually lost out 4-1 to Gurney, and the Northern Irishman is aware of the tough task he faces.

Last year’s runner-up Whitlock is hoping to go one better at this year’s event, and the iconic Australian is in positive mood heading into his round one tie with James Wilson.

The opening night will also see three-time champion Van Gerwen face rising Irish talent Steve Lennon, who is making his World Grand Prix debut, and the Dutchman is keen to put a run of TV disappointments behind him.

Two-time World Champion Gary Anderson is targeting a fifth televised title of the year in Dublin and begins his campaign against Welshman Jonny Clayton.

Anderson was a finalist in the 2016 tournament, where he lost out to Van Gerwen, but was absent from the 2017 event due to the birth of his second child and is now keen to make up for lost time.

World Champion Rob Cross will begin his quest for the £100,000 top prize against Steve Beaton on Monday night, which will also see arguably the pick of the first round ties take place as world number nine Michael Smith faces former finalist Adrian Lewis.

Two-time winner James Wade will play sixth seed Mensur Suljovic in another tasty tie, while world number two Peter Wright will take on Steve West and former finalist Mervyn King will meet rapid-firing Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena.

The second round of the double-start tournament will be split across Tuesday and Wednesday, with the quarter-finals on Thursday night and semi-finals on Friday night.

The final, on Saturday October 6, will be preceded by the Tom Kirby Memorial between Kevin Burness and Mick McGowan, as they battle for the top domestic honour and a place in the William Hill World Darts Championship.

The Unibet World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and worldwide through the PDC’s series of international broadcast partners, as well as at PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers.

2018 Unibet World Grand Prix
Draw Bracket
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Steve Lennon
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Dave Chisnall (8) v Max Hopp
Ricky Evans v Raymond van Barneveld
Daryl Gurney (5) v John Henderson
Ron Meulenkamp v Joe Cullen
Gary Anderson (4) v Jonny Clayton
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Kim Huybrechts
Peter Wright (2) v Steve West
Jermaine Wattimena v Mervyn King
Simon Whitlock (7) v James Wilson
Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis
Mensur Suljovic (6) v James Wade
Josh Payne v Ian White
Rob Cross (3) v Steve Beaton
Danny Noppert v Gerwyn Price

Schedule of Play
Sunday September 30 (7pm)
First Round
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Kim Huybrechts
Ron Meulenkamp v Joe Cullen
Darren Webster v Stephen Bunting
Ricky Evans v Raymond van Barneveld
Dave Chisnall v Max Hopp
Daryl Gurney v John Henderson
Michael van Gerwen v Steve Lennon
Gary Anderson v Jonny Clayton

Monday October 1 (7pm)
First Round
Jermaine Wattimena v Mervyn King
Josh Payne v Ian White
Danny Noppert v Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright v Steve West
Rob Cross v Steve Beaton
Mensur Suljovic v James Wade
Simon Whitlock v James Wilson
Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis

Tuesday October 2 (7pm)
Second Round
Chisnall/Hopp v Evans/Van Barneveld
Anderson/Clayton v De Zwaan/Huybrechts
Gurney/Henderson v Meulenkamp/Cullen
Van Gerwen/Lennon v Webster/Bunting

Wednesday October 3 (7pm)
Second Round
Suljovic/Wade v Payne/White
Cross/Beaton v Noppert/Price
Wright/West v Wattimena/King
Whitlock/Wilson v Smith/Lewis

Thursday October 4 (7pm)
Quarter-Finals

Friday October 5 (7pm)
Semi-Finals

Saturday October 6 (8pm)
Final